Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-12-26
q oetital.
ANNIE AND WILLIE's PRAYER.


had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on the pillows, and tears in
their eyes,
And each little bosom was heavy with sighs--
For to night their stern father command had
been given,
That they should retire precisely Mt seven
Instead of eight for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before;
He had told them he thought this delusion
No such being as "Santa Claus ever had
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 restessly tossed on their SOFT downy beds
Eight, nine, and the clock in the steeple toled
ten
Not word had been spoken by either till
then,
When Wille's sad face from the blanket did
peep
And whispered "Dear Annie, ia you fast
asleep"
"Why, no, brother Willie," a sweet voice re-
plies,
't've tried 1t in vain, but can shut my eyes;
For, somehow, il makes me SO sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus =
Now we know there is, and 1t can't be denied,
For he came every year before mama died;
Bat them I've been thinking that she used to
pray,
And God would hear everything mama would
say,
And perhaps she'd ask Him to send Santa
Claus here
"With the sack full of presents he brought
every year"
"Well, why tan't wepay as mama die then,
And ask Him to send him with presents aden?'
''Pve been thinking so too." And without a
word more
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor.
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to each
breast
Now Willie you know you 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 then"
''Dear Jesus look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking of Thee,
| want wax dolly tea set and ring,
And an ebony work box that shuts with n
spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves MS far better than he
Dom t let him get fretfu and angry again
AT dear brother Willie and Annie, Amen r.
Please, Desus, let Santa Taus tome down to-
night
And bring us some presents before it is light,
want he should dive me nice little sed,
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted
yed;
box full Of tandy, book and toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, III be good boy"
Their pray rs being ended, they raised their
heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful again
sought their reds
They wee soon lost in slumber both peaceful
and deep,
And with fairies in Dreamland were roaming
in sleep.
Eight, nine, and the little French clock had
struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of his children
again;
He seems now to hear Annie's half suppressed
sigh,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue
eye;
81 was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
said,
"And should not have sent them so early to
bed;
But then was troubled my feeling found vent
For bank stock to-day has gone down len per
cent
But of course they've forgot their troubles ere
this,
And that denied them the thrice asked for
kiss;
But, Just TO make sure I'll steal up to the door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlings before"
So saying he softly assembled the stairs,
And arfiy'd at the door to hear both of their
prayers
His Annies "bless papa" draws from him the
big tears
And Willies grave promise falls sweet on his
ears.
''Strange, STR nge I'd forgotten" said he
with sigh,
GLOW onged when a child to have Christ
mas draw nigh.
'I'Il atone for my harshness," he inwardly
said,
nBy answering their prayers ere ! sleep in my
Then be turned to the stairs and softly went
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown
Donned hat, coat and boots and was out in
the street.
millionaire facing the cold, driving seet,
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full Of candy to the tiny gold
ring,
That the various presents outnumbered score,
! Then homeward he turned with a holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery
twas slowed
| BY the side of table spread out for her tea
A work box well filled in the centre was laid,
| And on it ring for which Annie had prayed.
| A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
"With bright shining runners and all painted
red -
There were balls, dogs and horses, pleasing to
see,
And birds Of ali colors we're perched in tree;
While Santa Claus laughing, stood in the top
| AS if getting ready more presents to drop,
1 And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for bis trouble be had amply been
paid,
And he said to himself, as he brushed off a
tear,
| I'm happier tonight than we been for year.
1--WE enjoyed more true pleasure than ever be-
What care if bank stock falls ten rer cent
more
Hereafter I'll make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Clans visit US each Christmas
Eve,
So thinking be extinguished the light
| And tripped down the stairs to retire FOR the
night
As soon as the beams of the bright morning
sun
Pat the darkness to fight, and the stars one
by one
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
AT the same moment the presents espied,