Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-12-24
Annie and WiIIie's Prayer.
BY SOPHIA p. SNOW.

Twas the eve before CHRISTMAS; "UoOO nlSni
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed,
There were tears on their pillows, and tears
AND each little bosom was heavy with sighs,
For Tonight their sterh fathers command ma
; That they must retire precisely at seven
Instead Of eight; for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before.
He told them he thought this delosion q sin.
And he hoped, after this, he should never IN or
hear
How ne scrambled down chimneys with pre-
land this was the reason that two little head
SO restlessly tossed on their soft. downy bedi
Eight. nine. and the clock n the steeple tolle'
Not word had been spoken by either till then
When Willles sad lace from the blanket dix
And whispered, " Dear Annie. is you fas
l"Why. no, brother Willie" sweet voice re
-rve tried it in vain, but can't shut my eye
For somehow II make me so sorry because
| Dear papa has said there no santa Claus;'
Now we know there Is, AID IL can't be denied
| For he came every year before mamma died;
But then have been thinking that she used tc
And COD would hear everything mamms
And perhaps She asked him to send Santa
With the sacks full of presents he brought ev.
We'll, why tant We pay dest as mamma did
And ask him to send him with presents aden7'
1--we been thinking so, too" and without q
Four iittie bare feet bounded out on the floor
And two tiny bands were clsaped close to each
breast.
Now, Willie, you know, we must firmly be-
lieve
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re'
You must wait just as still till say amen,
And by that you win know that your turn has
come then"
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me
And grant us the favor we're asking of Thee:
L want a wax dolly, tea-set and ring,
And an ebony work-box that shuts with a
Bless papa, dear Jesus. and cause him to see
That santa Claus loves us far better than he
Dor Z let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, AmeHr'
peas Desus, 'et santa Taus tum uOwn tonight,
And bring US some presents before 1t is iignt.
want he should dive me nice little sed,
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted
yed;
A box fuIi of tandy. book and toy,
Their prayers being ended, they raised up their
heads,
sought their beds;
They were soon lost IN slumber-both peacef Il
and deep,
in sleep.
Eight, nine. and the little French clock had
struck ten
Ere the father had thought Of his children
again;
He seems now to hear Annie's suppressed
slghs,
And to see the big tears stand In Willie's blue
eyes.
II was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
said,
And should not have sent them SO early to
bed;
But then was troublsd-my feelings found
vent,
For bank stock to>day has gone down ten per
cent.
But of course they've forgot their troubles ere
And then denied them the thrice asked for
kiss:
But just TO make sue. I'll steal up to their
door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlinss be-
fore.n
So saying he softly assended the stairs,
And arriving at the door heard both OF their
His Annie's "bless papa" brought forth the big
tears,
And " lilies grave promise falls sweet on his
ears.
Strange. strange, I'd forgotten them." said he.
How 1 longed when q child to have Christmas
draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harshness," he in warily said.
by answering their prayers ere sleep IN my
bed"
Then he turned to the stairs anu softly Went
Threw of velvet slippers and silk dressing-
Donned hat, coat and boots. and was out in the
street
A millionaire facing the cold. driving sIeet;
Nor stopped he until he had bought every
thing,
From box full of candy to a tiny gold ring.
Indeed. he kept adding SO much to his store
That the various presents outnuD bered q
Then homeward he turned with his holiday
load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree,
By the side of q table spread out for q tea;
and on 1t a ring for which Annie had prayed
A soldier in uniform stood by a sled
With bright, shining runners, and all painted
There were balls, dogs and horses. books pleas
And birds of all colors were perched on tn .
While Santa Claus. laughing. stood up in the
top,
As if getitiLg ready more presents to drop;
He thought for his trouble he had amply bsen
And he said to ohimself as he brushed off teal,
Ppm happier tonight than I've been for y ear.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever be-
What care If the bank stock falls ten per cent.
more.
Hereafter I'll make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit US each Christmas
eve"
SO thin king he gently extinguished the light,
And tripped down stairs TO retire for the night.
As soon as the beams of the bright morning
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 espied,
Then out of their beds they sprung with a
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them
found;
They laughed and they cried in their innocent
And Shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old SANTA Claus mad brought in
Just the things that they wanted) and left be>
fore light
And now" added Annie, in voice soft and
YOU II believe there's a Santa Claus, papa.
know
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
no secret between them should be;
And told, in soft whispers how Annie had said,
That their dear, blessed mamma, SO long ago
Used TO kneel down and pray by the side of
her chair,
And that God, up in heaven, had answered her
prayer!
Then we dot up and prayed dust as well as We
And bod answered our prayers; now wasn't
"I 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 he cruel to tell him Ibid 1t myself')
Blind father! who caused your stern heart 10
relent?
And the hasty " ord spoken so soon to repent ?
Twas the being who bade you steal softly up
stairs,
And made you his agent to answer their
prayers.