The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-26
A CHRIsrNAs POEM.
BY MRS. SOPHIA P. snow.

Twas the eve before Christmas; Good might"
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 heaving with sighs-
For tonight their stern fathers command had
been given
That they should retire precisely ~ seven,
Instead Of eight; for they troubled him more
With questions unheard OF than ever before;
He had told them he thought this delusion a
sin,
No such being a. Santa Claus" ever had been.
And he hoped after this he shozld neysrInore
hear
How he scrambled down ehimneys with pres
ents each year.
And this was the reason that two lille heads
So restlessly tossed on their son, downy beds.
Eight, nine, aud the clock In the stsepiy toiled
ten;
Not word had been spoken by eilhertIll then.
When Willle's sad face from the blanket did
peep,
And whispered. "Dear Annie, is you last
asleep"
"why, no, brother wIllie," a swest voice re-
plies,
1--WE tried It in vain, but can't shut my eyes
FOR, somehow, It makes Ine sorTy because
l1ehE pdllh nus hdlQ LltEe IA no -ShfltA
Now We know there is, and Il can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died;
but, then, I've been thinking that she used 10
pray,
Aud God would hear everything mamma
would say;
And perhaps she asked Him 20 send Santa
Claus here,
with the sacks null of presents ne brought
every year"
-'weil, why taR't We pay dsst IS mamma did
then,
Aud ask Him 10 send him with Yresent.
adens"
"Iss been thinking 20 too" And without
word more
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the door,
And four little knees The soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were elsSpsd close TO each
breast
"Now,Wlllis, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents We ask for we srs sure to re-
esive;
iou mast walt just still till say the Amen ;
Aud BY thas you Will know that your turn has
come then.
Dear Jesus, look down on nay brother and une.
And grant us the favor Te ara asking of thee;
want wax doll. tea-set and ring,
And ebony wOrk-boI that shuts with =
spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him 10 see
That santa Claus loves us FAR better than be;
Don't let him get fretful aud angry again
Al dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen"
"PlrGse, Desus, 'et santa Tsus tuIn down to-
night,
And bring Us some presents bSiore it is light
want he so0ld dive nice little ssd.
With bright. shinin' ynansrs. sud All paiutad
we'd.
4 box fuli Of tandy. a book and atov.
Amen, and Ihen, Desus. IN be a dood boy.r
Their PRAYER, being endeJ. they raised nm their
head.
And with hearts light and cheerful again
sought their beds;
They were soon lo.t In .lumber. both peueerul
and deep.
AMI with iairies IN Dresmland we're roaming
in slasp
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'Sn''
I'i D@na'''oeA . ''-''AS nAS gone "0Nh 'eh per
CENT
DN' "' 'Su'Se tASs We i0iA"' lheiF Houbles ere
tH'
AN1 'i'''i 1 uSi'eu lh'H1 the 'hTioe-NSNeo-io
Kiss;
But just 10 make sure III steal np 10 the door,
FOR never spoke harsh 10 my derlinEs be-
lore-
~ saying h@ s"itly ascended the stairs
Ana arrived at The door 10 hear both OF their
prayers;
His Annie's "bleHs Fspa" draws forth the big
tears,
And Hillle's grave promise islls sweet on his
ears.
strange strange I'd forgotten" J" said hs, with y
sigh,
-H"W ionged' when 4 child 10 hSNe Christ
mas ara" nigh
III alone iof my harshness'' ne ln"ardly sAld'
hs answering lhelr prayers -Fs sleep III my
Ds"'
I"eh be t1rned 10 HE stains and soiil! went
down
ihre" on velvet slippers ana six dressing
gown
street,
Nof stopped he until he had bought every
Thing,
f'oih ihe n"H i"li OF candy 10 The Tiny gold
HnE'
Indeed, he kept adding "a r,,,..h Ia hls store
That the v..rlons pr,-..nis outnun b-red score