The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-01-18
Annie and Willie's Prayer.
By Mrs. SOPHIA p. Snow.


r. Snow, is one of the most cxquisitcly touch
ing and beautiful that We have ever read. II
cannot fail to reach the hearts of all who perus,
it, besides being peculiarly appropriate to the
holidays:
Twas the eve before Christmas "Good night
had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on their pillows, and tears in
their eyes,
And each little bosom was heavy with siphs-
For tonight their stern fathers command had
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead of eight for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before:
He had told them he thought this delrlsion sin,
No such being as "Santa Claus" ever had been,
And he hoped, after this, he should never more
hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with pre-
sents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds,
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeplc told ten;
Not word had been spoken by either till then,
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did
peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie is you FAST asleep?'
"Why, no, brother WILLIE" a sweet voice re-
plies,
"Pvc tried it in vain, but can't shut my eyes:
For, somehow, it makes me so sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus
Now we know there is, and it can't be denied
For he came every year before mamma died
But then, Fve been thinking that she used to
pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would
say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa
Claus here,
With the sacks full ofprcsent- he brought every
year"
well, why tan'twc pay dest az mamma did then,
And ask him 10 send him with presents aden?"
1--WE been thinking so, too" And without a
word more
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And fonr little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to each
breast
Now, Willie, you know we must firmly be-
lieve
That the presents we ask for we're sure to
receive;
You must wait just as still till say the Amen
And by that you will know that your turn has
come them
"Dear Jesus, look down my brother and me,
And grant Us the favor asking Of Thee;
want a wax doll a tea-set and ring,
And an ebony work box that shuts with spring
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us far better than he,
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, Amen ~
please Dcsus' 'et Santa Taus tum down tonight,
And bring us some presents before it is light,
want he should dive me nice little sed;
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted ycd:
\ box full of tandy, book and toy,
Amen, and then, Desus. I'll be a good boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised up ther
heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful again sought
their beds;
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful
and deep,
And with fairies in Drcamland were roaming
i'll sleep.
Eight. nine. and the little French clock had
struck ten,
Ere the father had thought Of his children
again;
lie seems now to hear Annie's has-supprcssed
signs,
And to sec the big tears stand in Willie's blue
eyes,
81 was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
said,
And should not have sent them early TO bed,
But then was troubled-my feelings found vent,
For banll-stock to-day has gone down ten per
cent,
But of course they've forgot their trouble ere
this,
And that denied them the thrice-asked for
kiss;
But, just 10 make sure I'll steal up to their door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlings before"
So saying, he softly asccnded the stairs,
And arrived at the door 10 hear both of their
prayers.
His Annie's "bless papa" draws forth the big
tears,
And Willie's grave promise falls sweet on his
Strange, strange I'd forgotten" said he with
sigh,
'How / longed, when child, TO have Christ
mas draw nigh"
"Pll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere sleep in my
bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went
down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown
Donned hat, coat and boots and was out IN the
street,
4 millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full ofcandy to the tiny gold ring:
Indeed, he kept adding much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered score,
Then homeward he turned with his holiday
load,
And with aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas