Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-01-02

~ Annie and wnms'. Prayer.
Twas the eve before Christians Coed nightD had
And An Anais ana While hid srspt in.o bed,
ihere were tears On their pillows in their
And each At.e herem was heavy with sishs-
FOR 10 hlsht ther stern fathers cotnmand had been
That III should retire precisely at seven,
Inste'd II eight. for tho, troubled hitn moro
mttn tl. 81 ol,s u heaid OF than ever before:
He hf.i told them ne thought this telnSisa sip
No such being As " santa Claus ever had been
And he hoped, after this, he should hover moro
hear
How he scrambled down ehmno,s with presents
AMI this the reason that two little head.
So restlsasy tcssrsi on their soft, duwny beds
Eight nine. and the eock On the steeple toied ton
Not = word had been sp'kenby either till theu.
When Willie's sad face rom the blanket did peep,
And whispered, "a Dear Annie is you last asfeepf"
Why. NJ. brother Wille," sweet voice replies,
I've tried il in vain. but can't shut my ey e.
For, somehow. II makes me 50 sorry because
Dear papa has said there Is no Santa Claus.
Now We know there IS, and II can't be denied.
svr he came every year before mamma died,
But then, I've been thinking that she used to pray.
And God would hear every thing mamma wouideay.
here.
With the saels iull Of presents he brought every
We'll, why tint we pay dcst a. mamma did then.
And ask him 10 soma him ith presents sd-n'"
" 'NeA eii-hhAh- So 10 NAN "4'h'us Il WI"
four little bare fee; bounded cut On the aoor,
Anu iout .ittlc knees cn the carpet did press.
Ana Two INV hards were ca-ped elise to each
breast
Now, Willie. You know we must firmly believe
IhAt the presents ash for wore receive,
1"u must wait Just as still till say the Amen.
And hy that you " Il know that your turn has conc
then"
= Dear Jesus look do~ on my brother and ilc.
And grant Us the favor We are asking Of Thee,
want wax dolly, tea-set and ring.
I hay I'll uN,.f. N.
niess papa, dearJ esus. andeause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us far bette. than he.
Don't let him Set iretiul and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen
Iis1ss , besus, ct Santa faus tum down -sight,
And bring US some presents before u IL light,
want he should dive a nice little sed
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted yed
box 'uii Of tandy, n book and a toy,
Amen and den Desus I'll lie a good bovr
Their prayers being ended, they raised up their
And with hearts light aad cheerful again s.usht
They were los, in sluln.er, 10Th Iesesiul aud
deep,
And with fairies in Droanl mi were roaming in
sleep.
sht, nine, and the little French cl, ck had struck
ton,
Ere the father had thou sht Of his children again:
lie seems now 10 bear Arnie hal;-suppressed si.hs,
And to see the big tears stand IN wiIle's blue eIes.
Il was harsh with my darlin-s,r he mentally said.
Aau should not have sent tnen - early ts bod
But then was uVubled-my feelings found vent.
FOr hank-stock today has gune down ten per cent.
But OF course they forgot their troubles ero th.
AnI that 1 denied them the thrice-askcd- for Hiss
But Just 10 make sure l'll steal up to their door
For never spoke harsh To my darlin=s before"
So saying, he softly Ascended the stairs.
And arrived at the doOr to hear bptn Of their pray
Ills Annies bless papa drew iOGth the bi. tears,
And Millie's grave promise fails sweet On his ears.
strange, strange Id iofsotten,' said he with
sigh,
'.How lonsed, when a child to have Christmas
draw nigh
'I'll atone for my haTshness - he inwardly said,
BY answering their prayer ere sleep in my bed
~ a sol
Threw of velvet slippers and silk dressing GOWN
DOnned hat COS nj boots anu vas cut in street
millionaire facing the cold. driving sle-t.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full Of candy To the tiny gold Iins'
Indeed, he kept adding 50 much TO his store,
That the various presents outnumbered u sc re,
Then hOmeward he turned with Lis holiday load.
And with Aunt Mary aid IN the nurseTy twas
slowed;
Miss dolly was seated benest sth pine trce,
BY the side OF table spread Out Tor beritea,
a wofk-box well filed in the ceutro was laid,
And on il a ring, iOr which Annie had prayed.
sold .er inuuiiorn stood by sled,
VIII i-ht shining runners and all painted rcd"
There were balls, doss and horses, books pleasing
And birds Of all eolors were perehed in the tree
While santa Claus. Ching, stood up in the top,
Is getting ready more presents 10 drop
And as the fond iather the picture surveyed,
lie thought for his trouble he had amply been
PAID.
And lac said to himself As he brushed of a tear,
I'm happis tonight than have been for year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before,
Hereafter I'll make ii a rule, believe.
To have Santa ClaGs visit Us each Christmas Eve.
SO think NJ, he gently eXtingu' shed the light
And trppc1 down the stairs retire for the sht
As As the hetals Oi the bright morning
Put the darkness 10 d -ht. and the stars by one,
Your little hiueey cut Of sleep opened wide.
And at the sane moment the presents espied-
Then out 90 their beds they sprung with i bound,
And the very -lits prayc for were all OF them
found.
The, lauhe and they cried in their innocent slee,
And shouted for papa" 10 come quick and sec
what presents Old Santa Claus brought IN tho
night
just the Things thatthey wantedl and LETT before
Light.
And nov. " added Annie. 10 4 voice soit and low.
You'll believe there's santa Claus, papa.
know"
While dear Little Willis eii uhcti up on his knec.
Determined No secret between them should be-
And told. ia soit whispers how Annie had said
That their dear, tlesssl InannlI 80 long a.o dead.
chair.
And that God up n h,aven had answered. her
prayer
Then We dot up and ply,d das: we'll aswO
tould,
And Dod answered our prayers. now wasn't lie
duOd -
Il should say that lie was if lie sent you all these,
Ami knew lust what presents ny children would
please.
Well well. let him think 50, the doar little ell.
'fwouid ie cruel l. tell HIM did il my SELF
Blind father who caused ycur stern heart To re-
lent.
Aud the hasty word spoken soon to repent
Twas the Being who oLde you steal softly up stairs
And made you his a cent tJauswef their prayers.