Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-12-23

BY MRS. SOPHIA P. SNOW.

That they would retire precisely at seven
| Instead of at eight; for they troubled him more
| With questions unheard of, than ever before;
| He had told them he thought this delusion sin,
| No such being as Santa Claus" ever had been,
And be hoped, after this, he should nevermore
| hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents
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 steeple toled
ten;
Not word had been spoken by either till then,
| When Willie's sad face from the blanket did
And whispered, Dear Annie, is you fast
asleep?"
"why, no, brother willie," sweet voice re-
plies,
'rve tried it in vain, but I 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, I've been thinking that she used to
And God would hear everything mamma would
say.
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claus
With the sack full of presents he brought every
year"
well, why tant we pay dsst as mamma did
then,
And ask Him to send him with presents aden p'
I've been thinking so, too.' And without a
word more
Four little 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 we must firmly be-
lieve
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re-
ceive
You must wait just as still till I 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 doll, set and ring,
And an ebony work-bo 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, Desus, ct Santa Taus tum down to-
night
And bring us some present before it is light,
want he sould dive nice little sed,
With bright shinin' yunners, and all painted
A box full of tandy. book and toy,
Amen, and then, Desus l. II be dood boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised up their
heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful, again sought
their beds;
They were soon lost to 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 seemed now to hear Annie's half-suppressed
sighs,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue
81 was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
said,
"And should not have sent them so early to
bed;
But then I was troubled-my feelings found
vent
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
But of course they've forgot their troubles ere
And that denied them the thrice-asked for
kiss;
But, just to make sure, Til steal up to their
For 1 never spoke harshly to my darlings be-
fore"
So saying he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of their
prayers,
His Annies 'bess papa draws forth the big
And Willie's grave promise falls sweetly on his
| "Strange, strange I'd forgotten" said he with
sigh,
"How longed: when child, TO have Christ
mas draw nigh.
"rll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
by answering their prayers ere I sleep in my
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,
A millionaire facing the cold driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything
From the box full of candy to the tiny gold
ring
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered a scor e.,
Then homeward he turned with holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's help in the nursery twas
slowed,
Miss dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
By the side of table spread out for her tea;
A work box we'll filed in the center was laid,
And on it a ring for which Annie had prayed.
A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
with bright shining runners and all painted
There were balls, dogs, and horses, books pleas
And birds of all colors were perched in the
tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the
AS if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been
paid,
And he said to himself as he brushed off tear,
Up happier tonight than I've been for year.
| I've enjoyed more pleasure than ever before.
What care I if bank stock falls ten per cent
more
Hereafter I'll make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit US each Christmas eve.
| So thinking, he gently extinguished the light
| And tripped down the stairs TO retire for the
night
| AS soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars, one by
one.
Four little blue eyes out of sleep bounded wide,
| And at the same moment the presents espied.
| Then out of their beds they sprang with bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them
found.
| They laughed and they cried in their innocent
glee.
And shouted for 'papa" to come quick and see
| What presents old Santa Claus had brought in
| the night,
(Just the things that they wanted,) and left be-
fore light.
''And now,'' added Annie, in voice soft and
low,
| You'll believe there's Santa Claus, papa,
know "
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
| Determined no secret between them should be
| And told, in soft whispers, how Annie had said
| That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago
| Used to kneel down and pray by the side of her
chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered her
prayer!
| 'Then we dot up and prayed dest as well as we
tould,
And dod answered our prayers-now wasn't he
dood p
| 81 should say that he was, if he sent you all
And knew just what presents my children would
please
(Well, we'll let him think so, the dear little elf
| 'Twould be cruel to tell him did it myself'')
Blind father, who caused your stern heart to re-
lent?
IL J. - anf