The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-12-25
CHRISTNAS EVE.


REDWOOD FALLS MINNESOTA.
CHRTSTAAS EVE.
BY MRS. SOPHIE r. SNOW.
Twas h Inc ne eve before Christmas; aood-nght hat
A. Asd Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
, were tears ON their pillows, and tears IL
And each little bosom wa, heavy with .ighs-
tut 'S-night their stern fathers Commands hat
That they should .et:ee prec..ely a. seven,
W tHitead OF eight; FOR they sroubled him more
M Nun Questions rnheard 1T, than ever before;
No such berg A. ssana Clans" ever had been,
ana h he, hoped after this, he should nevermor'
How he <cramhaed down chimueys with present.
ana this WAS the reason that two little heads
SC neaessly tossed on their soft, downy beds,
<xthk stne, and the clock in the eteeple tollei
Net word had been spoken by either Till then,
when Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep
And whispered. Dear Annie fs you fast asleep!
Why. no. brother Willie" a sweet voice replica
I've tried it in vain, but can't shut my eyee;
Ro, i makes ,ss me so sSr.y
Now We know there is, and Il can't be denied,
For he came every year tcfcrc mamma died:
But, then, I've been thanking that she used to
And God would hear. Everything mamma would
And perhaps she asked Him to send SAINT. cl..,
With The sacks full of present. he brought ever,
Well why tant we pay de.t a. mamma die
And ask Him to send him with presents sden,"
I've been thinking go, too" And without word
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
ana Tour little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped Close to each
Now. Willie. you know, We nast firmly believe
That the presents We ask for we are sure to re.
You must wait just a. stil till say the Amen
And by that You will know that your turn has
Dear jesus, iuok down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking u Thee;
want wax-doll, tea-sct and ring,
1ana Al EBONY w3rk-box that shuts with spring
Bless papa dear Jesus and cause him to see
ahat santa Claus loves us far better than hex
Don't let him get frs,ful and angry again
Please, Dcsus. ct Santa Taue tam down tonight,
a want he should dive me nice little sed,
A box full of tandy, a book and toy.
Amen. and then. Desus, I'll be dcOd bow"
Their bps ,.SSsrs being ended they raised up their
And with hearts light aud cheerful, again sough.
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful and
sleep. ~
Eight MAE, and the little French clock had .,r,c,
Ere t.e father had thought Of hi. children again
ae seems now to hear Annie's half%uppresscd
signs.
And to see the big tears stand in willis's blue
eyes.
II was harsh with my darling.," he mentally .ad.
But then was troubled--ny feelings found vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
Bat Of course they've forgot their troubles ere
And that denied them the three -aske..for kiss:
But Just to msks sure, IN steal 2? to their door,
SO saying. he softly asceaded the stairs,
And arrived At the deos to hear both Of their pray
HIS Annies .etcss papa draws forth the big te.r..
And Wiliiee grave promise falls sweet on his ears
strange. strange I'D forgotten" said he with =
''Hor iongea, when child, to have Christina.
~ atone for my harshness." he inwardly said,
Sy answering their prayers ere 1 sleep in my
Then he turned TO the stairs and softly went down.
Threw Off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
Donned hat, coat aud boots, and was out in the
a millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
Indeed he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered score.
Then homeward be turned with his holiday load.
And with Aunt Mary's help in the nursery twas
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
ny the side Of table spread out for her teal
A work box well filled in the center was laid,
And on it \ ring for which Annie had prayed.
Soldier in uniform stood by q sled,
with bright, shining runners, and all painted
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing
And birds Of all colors were pcrched in the tree;
While santa Clus, laughing. stood up in the top,
As if getting ready more presents to drop,
And as the fond father the picture surveyed.
he d1hSousit Tor ms trouble ned amply been paid
I'm happier tonight than I've been for year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before.
Hereafter Ill make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve"
So thinking. he gently extinguished the light,
And trpped down the to retire for the night
A. soon as the beams Of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars, one by
Four little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents copied.
And the very gifts prayed for were ali Of them
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent
glee.
And AS shouted for papa" to com. quick and see
Dust the things that they wanted) and left before
ngnt.
''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, go long ago
dead.
Used to knecl-down and pray by the side Of her
chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered her
prayer
Den we dot up and prayed dest as well Ms we
tOuld,
And bod answered our prayers; now wasn't he
dOOd:''
Il should say that He was If He sent you all
these,
And knew just what presents my children would
please.
We'll well. let him think 90, the dear little elf
'Twould be cruel to tell him did 1t myself.y'
Blind father. who caused your stern hea- tn "a,
lentt
And the hasty word spoken SO soon "a rcnent,
Twas the Being who babe you siesl ssrrstiv nm.