Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-12-24
ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.

been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears their pillows and tears in their
eyes,
And each little bosom was heavy with sghs--
For tonight their stern fathers command had been
given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead Of eight; for they troubled him
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 he hoped after this he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chmneys with presents each
year.
And this was tho reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.
Eight nine, and the clock in the steeple tolled ten;
Not word had been spoken " either till then,
When Willies sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, Dear Annie, is you fast asleep|
"Why, no. brother WILLIE" sweet voice replies,
"I've tried it in vain, but can't shut my eyes;
For, somehow, it makes me 80 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 mama died;
But then, I've been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would say;
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claus here
With the sack full of presents he brought every year.
DWELL, why tant pay dest as mamma did then,
And ask him to send him with presents aden?"
"Tve been thinking so, too." And without word
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands casped close each breast
"Now, Willie, you know, we must firmly believe
That the presents ask for we're sure to receive;
You must wait just 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 asking of Thee;
want 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 fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen"
"Please, Jesus, let Santa Taus tun down tonight,
And bring some presents before it is light
I want he should dive me nice little sed
With bright shiny runners, and all painted yed;
box full Of tandy, a book and toy.
Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be good boy"
Their prayers being ended they raised up their
heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful again sought their
beds;
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful and
deep,
Eight nne and the little French clock had struck ten
Ere the father had thought of his children again;
He seems now to hear Annies alfsuppressed sighs,
And to the big tears stand on Willies blue eyes,
al was harsh to my darings," he mentally said
"And should not have sent them 80 early to bed;
But then was troubled-my feelings found vent
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per cent.
But of they've fargo their troubles ere this,
And that denied them the thrice-asked-for kiss,
But Just to make sure, I'll steal up to their door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlings before"
So saying, he softly ascended the stairs,
And arriving at the door heard both of their prayers.
His Annie's bless papa draws forth the big tears,
And Willies grave promise falls sweet on his ears,
"Stranpe strange I'd forgotten" said he with sigh
"How I longed, when child, to have Christmas
draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said
"By answering their prayers ere sleep in my bed,
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat coat, and boots, and 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
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnu mbered score
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Marys aid in the nursery twas
slowed,
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree.
By the side of table spread out for her tea;
work. box we'll filed in the centre was laid
And on it ring for which Annie had prayed;
A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
There were bas dogs and horses, books pleasing to
And birds of oil oolors wore perched in the tree,
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top,
AS if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had been amply paid,
And he said to himself as he brushed of q tear,
"Im happier tonight than Pve bccu for year;
What care if bank stock fall tor per cent more!
Hereafter I'll make it o rule, believe,
10 have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas eve."
So thinking, no gently extinguishcd the light,
And ripped down the stairs TO retire for the night.
AS soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to fight and the star, one by one
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
And at tho same moment the preseres espied;
Then out of their beds they sprang with bound,
And the very gifts prayed for 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 brought in tho night,
(Jus the things that they wanted and left before
"And now" added Annie, in a voice soft and low,
"You believe there's Santa Claus, papa, know"
While dear little Willie climbed up on bis kuoe,
Determined no secret between them should be,
And told in soft whispers, how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead,
Used knee down and pray by the side of her chair
Aud that God in heaven had answered her prayer!
Then dot up and prayed dust as we'll tould,
And bod answered our prayer, now wasn't he dood 2?
should say that He was, if He sent you all these,
And knew just what presents my children would
please,
well, well, let him think SO, the dear little elf,
'Twould be cruel to ten him did it myself,')
Blind father, who caused your stern heart to reent
And tho hssty word spoken so soon to repent?
Twas the being who bade you steal softly up stairs,
And made you His agent to answer their prayers:
"WHArs IN A NAME ?'-By the will of
very wealthy lady of Virginia, all of her bonds
aud some other property of Considerable amount
was devised to the Baptist Theological Semi
nary of South Carolina The will was contested
aud the lower court decided that it was void,
as the name OF the beneficiary was the South.
ero Baptist Theologioal Seminary, which name
did not appear filllv in the will The Court of
Appeals Of Virginia has reversed this decision
and the seminary above mentioned is better OF
by over eighty thousand dollars. The case has
been nearly eight years 10 litigation.