The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-12-16
Auehy.
ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.

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 sighs-
For tonight their stern fathers command had
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead Of eight; for they troubled him moro
With questions unheard of than ever before;
He had told them he thought this delusion a
sin,.
No such being as "Santa Claus" ever had been,
And he hoped, after this, he should never more
How he scrambled down chimneys with pres
ents 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 tolled
ten;
Not word had been spoken by either till then,
When Willie's sad face from the blankets did
peep,
And whispered: "Dear Annie, is you fast
ssleep?"
"Why no, brother Willie" . sweet voice re-
plies,
"Tve 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 ! I,
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 tt
pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would
say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claui
here, l' t''i
With the sack full Of presents he brought every
year" ,''' sit''
"Well, why tan't we pay dest as mamma dit
then,
And ask him to send him with presents aden?'
I've been thinking so too" And without &
word more . r.-..l 49,.
Four little bare feet bounded out on tbs floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were claspcd close to eacl
breast. '''
"Now, Willie, you know, we must firmly Be
That the presents we ask for wete sure to re
ceive;
You must wait just as still till say tn
Amen
And by that you will know that your turn ha
come then"
''Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me
And grant Us the favor we're asking Of Thee;
/ want a wax dolly, 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 iretfal and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, Amen!"
"Pleass, Desus, 'et Santa Taus tum town te
night. .,....
And bring US ssnie presents before it is light,
I want he should dive me nice title sed,
With bright, shiny runners.and all painted yed
A box full of candy, a book and toy, g.,
Amen, and then, Desus I'll be dood boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised sp thei
heads.
And with hearts light and cheerful again sough
their beds; .,.-l ..f .
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful
and deep.
And with fairies in Dreamland wero roamini
in sleep, ~ n4 Ed ~
Eight. nine and the little French clock ha
struck ten, -a
Ere the father had thought Of his childre
-aF again; 4a - 4ail s
He seems now to hear Annie's half-snppresse
i sighs, If H.i.4 sa3u. ..... ...s-r
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blu
II was harsh with my darlings," he mental
said, i7Hrs fgf .ae .a. 81
"And should not have sent them 80 early to bee
But then I was troubled-my feelings foun
vent, .
For bank stocks to-day have gone down ten p
cent.
But of course they've forgot their troubles e
this, f se -r
And that denied them the thrice-asked kiss;
But, just to make sure, I'll steal up to their doc
For I've never spoke harsh to my darlings b
fore" .ii
80 saying. he softly ascended the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of thei
prayers. s
His Aunie's "blsss papa" draws forth big tear
And Willis's grave promise falls sweet on h
ears. -5' ~
Strange, strange I'd fsrgotten," said he vii
sigh, ..-et.I .u sell
"How longed, when child, to have Chris
mas draw nigh. >gf.~3
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly sal
"By answering their prayers ere sleep in m
ii bed" t.Hj s.s t....I GsJ J,. a-4.
Then he turned to the stair and softly we
| I'd. down, -'" ~ .lr -a'r ...
Threw. off velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown -'t'' '
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in t
street, '"s'
A millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everythin
From the box full of candy to the tiny gol
ring;
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbsred a scor
Then homeward he turned with his holiday loa
And with Aunt Mary's aid, in the nurse,
| twas slowed;
Miss dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
By the side of table spread out for her tea;
A work-box well filled in the center was laid
And on it ring for which Annie had prayed
A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
with bright shining runners and all paint
red"
There were balls, dogs and horses, books ples
ing to see,
And birds of all colors were perched in the tr'
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the t
Asif getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply be