Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-24


more than a mere date, that its observance is
ofimportance. Hence, in the enjoyment of
the convivaities Of the season we should re-
member that Christmas is holy day and
that its meaning is at the very origin of Chris
tanity. Our festivities and the joys that
gladden. those who have arrived at the years
of discretion and maturity, should be attribu-
ted to the Saviour, whose unutterable love has
given US so great privilege thus to be able
to mingle his sacred name with our earthly
happiness.
But while we condemn the carousing, semi
barbaric manner in which not even many
generations ago the day was celebrated, far be
it from our thoughtto oppose innocent amuse.
ments with either old or young. Such occa-
sons are necessary for our existence; and
especially should the children, for this one
day at least, be allowed the full bent Of their
inclination for childish gee and sport. They,
of all others, look forward with bright hopes
to the visit of St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle or
Santa Claus, and in the realization of their
dreams, none should be disappointed. As the
act of making gifts to loved ones on this day
symbolizes the gift of Christ to us, so is there
an impressive propriety and tender beauty in
thus commemorating the event. Desolate
must be the house in which there are no pratt
tling children to hang up the traditional
stocking, an honored observance among the
juveniles, in which they will be as eager to-
night as were their fathers or grand-fathers
before them. Broad as is the field for the ex-
ercise of charity, and opportune as is the occa-
sion, while in the performance of this sacred
duty, giving to the needy as the more fortu-
nate have been prospered, let US not forget the
children, typical emblems of Him who lay in
the manger, and has been the Guiding Star
of mankind for centuries
temptation to publish the following poem by
Mrs. Sophia P. Snow, which is the most ex-
quisitely touching and beautiful we have ever
read. 1t will reach the hearts of all who
read it, besides being peculiarly appropriate
to the holidays:
ANNIE AND wILLIE's PRAYER.
Twas the eve before Christmas "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 stern fathers command had
| been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead of eight; for they troubled him more
With questions unheard ofthan ever before;
He had told them he thought this delusion sin,
| No such being as Santa Claus ever had been,
And he honed after this he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents
| each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds,
Eight nine and the clock in the steepletolled ten;
| Not word had been spoken by either till then,
When Willies sad face from the blankets did peep,
And whispered, "Dear ANNIE is you fast aslecp?'
"Why, no, brother Willie" sweet voice replies,
| For, somehow, it makes me so 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 mamma 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
With the sack full of presents he brought every
| year,
"Well, why tant we pray dest as mamma did then,
And ask him to send him with presents aden?'
"rve been thinking so, too.' And without a
| Four little bare feet bounded out OH the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped closed to each
| breast.
| "Now, Willie you know, we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask forwe re sure to receive;
You must wait just as still till say the Amen,
And by that you will know that your turn has
| come thcn.'
| "Dear Jesus look down OH my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking of Thee;
I want a wax doly,a tea-set and ring;
And an ebony work box, that shuts with a 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 tum down tonight,
| And bring us some presents before 1t IS light,
want he should div me nice little sed,
With bright shiny runners and all painted yed ;
\ box full of tandy, 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 slumbcr both peaceful and
And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in
sleep.
Eight nine, and the little French clock has struck
Ere the father had thought of his children again
He seems now to hear Anne's half-suppressed
sighs,
And to see the big tears stand on Willies blue eyes,
''I was harsh to my darlng," he mentally said,
| And should not have sent them so early to bed !;
But then was :roubled-my feelings found vent
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per cent,
But they forgot 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 assembled the stairs
And arriving at the door, heard both of their
prayers.
His Annies "bcss papa draws forth the big tears,
And Willies grave promise falls sweet on his ears.
''Strange strange I'd forgotten" said he with
sigh,
"How longed when child to have Christmas
draw nigh,
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere l 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 was out in the
street,
A millionaire facing the cold, driving slect,,
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 outnumbered score.
Then homeward ne turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas
slowed
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
BY the side ofa table spread out for her tea;
And on it a ring for which Annie had prayed;
A soldier in uniform stood by d sled,
"With bright, shining runners, and all painted
yed."
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing
to see,
And birds of all colors were pcrched in the tree,
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood upm 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 boen amply paid,
And he said to himself as he brushed Oft tear,