The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-12-25
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
Annie and WIIIIe's Prayer.
NJ MISS SOPHIA p. SNOW,

Twas the eve before Christina; 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 Rtern fathers command
had been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Ins.esd OF eight; for they troubled him
more
with questions unheard OF, than ever be-
fore;
No such being as Santa Clans" ever had
been;
Ana he hoped, amer this, he should never
more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with
presents each year,
And this was the reason that two little
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" q sweet voice
replies
"Tye tried 1t in vain, but / cans shut nv
For, somehow, It makes me so sorry, because
Dear father has said there Ia no Santa Claus.
Now We know there Ia, and it can't be de-
MED,
For he came every year before dear mother
died;
But, then, I've been thinking that she used
And God would hear everything mother
would say;
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa
Claus here;
With the sacks full of presents he brought
well why tan't we pay dest as mother did
then
And ask him to send him with presents
adenn ?
"Pve been thinking 80 too" and without a
word more,
Four little bArereeu 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
believe
That the presents we ask for we are sure to
receive;
You must walt just as still Sill 1 say the
"Amen,"
And by that you will know that your turn
mas come them
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and
me,
And grant US the favor we are asking OF
Thee;
want wax doll, a tea set and ring,
And an ebony work-box that shuts with
spring;
Bless fail her, dear Jesus, and cause him to
see
That SantS Claus loves us far better than he,
DON'T let him get angry and frettul again
Atdear brother Willie and Annie, Amen"
Please, Desus, let Santa TAus tum down
tonight,
And bring US some presents before 1t Is
want he should div me a nice little sed,
with bright shinin' runners, and all painted
red;
A box FUN Of tandy, a book and toy,
Amen and then, dear DesuA, I'll be u dood
Their prayers being ended. they rsIsed up
And with hesrts light and cheerful again
49, sought their beds;
Ihey were soon lost in Slum Der, both peace
full and deep,
And With fairies In drcamIAnd were reAm-
Right, nine, aud the little French clock had
struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of his children
lie seems now to hear Armies hAlt-sup-
pressed signs
AND to ace she big tears stand Ia Willie's
was harsh with my darllngs," he mental
ana should not have cent them so early TO
But then Iwsstrophlad-nvf e.,;nrs hou,d
Fer oank-stock to-day has gone down ten
- per cent.
nut, o. course, they've forgot their troubles
ere this
And that denied them the thrice asked for
But Just to make sure, I'll steal up 70 the
TOT never spoke harsh to my da1lInRs be-
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs
anu arrived Mt the door 70 hear both Iheir
And Annie's "bless father" brings forth she
And Willie's grave promise falls sweet on
strange, strange, I'd forgotten" said he
-, with sigh,
How | longed, when q child. 70 have
1w christmas draw nigh.
s s.one Tor my harshnsss," he inwardly
0y answering their prayers ere sleep In
Then he turned to the stairs and softly wen.
Anfew OF velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown
pOn nee hat, coat and boots, and was out in
a millionaire facing the cold driving sleat
Tof stopped until he had bought every thing
0ni the box full OF candy TO the tiny gold
7T92d .. he kept adding so much to his store
soo one various presents outnumbered q
men Io nS9meward he turned with his holiday
ana ,, with Aunt. Aunt Mary's help in the nursery
B V 80 Dolly was seated beneath q pine tree
A. ide OF a table spread out for her tea
I.id ooA' well filed, in the centre va.
'T pt on i the ring for which Anna had
Y W, solder in uniform stood by q sled.
n.i o,Rnt shining runners, and "Al
-HeI revere were balls. dogs and horses, books
and birds Of all coIOrs were perched In the
while Santa Claus, laughing, stood up Fl
AZ getting ready more presents To dron
AZ Hno as the fond father the picture surveyed
3nouRnt Tor his trouble he had amply
And he said to hfmseIF .Anh-,.hnS
tear, - ~ OSU on
I'm happier to-day than I've been for
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than eve
hat s.st care I II bank-stoek falls ten NJ. cont