The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-01-03
Annie and Wlllje's Prayer.

The following poem written by Mrs. Sophia P.
Snow, is one of the most exquisitely touching and
beautiful that we have ever read. 1t cannot tail to
each the hearts of ali who peruse it, besides being
peculiarly appropriate to the holidays:
Twas the eve before Christmas; Good night "
had been said,
And annie and willie had crept INTO bed:
There were tears il their pillows and tears IL then
And each little bosom was heavy with sighs--
For tonight their stern father command had been
That they should 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 delusiOn a sin,
No such being as "Santa Claus " ever had been,
And he hoped, after this, he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents
each year,
And this was the reason tn at two little heads
so restlessly tossed on their soft, do~ny beds,
Eight nine and the clock in the steepe tolled tan
Not a word had been spoken by either till then,
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie, is you fast asleep?
WHY no. brother Wile," a sweet voice replies,
g I've tired it in vain, but can't shut my syea;
For, somehow, it makes me so sorry because
Dear Papa has said there is 10 Santa Claus.
Now we know there is, and 1t can't be denied.
For he eame every yeaI before mamma died
But then pve been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would hvar everything mamma would say,
And perhaps che asked him to send Santa Claus
here.
With the sacks full of presents he brought every
Gwen, why tan't we pay just as mamma did then,
And ask Him TO send him with presents adsn7"
i've been thinking SO too" And without word
Four little bare feet bounded ont the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
ANA two tiny hands were clasped close to each
Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents ask for we're SURE to receive;
You must wait, just as stu, IN say Amen.'
and b. that you VIII know that your turn has come
then"
Dear jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant Us the favor We are king Of Thee;
wait a wax dolly, tea set, ana ring,
ana an ebony worE box that shuts with spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That santa CT ms loves us far better than he.
DON'T let him get fretful and angry again
st der brother Willie and Annie. amen"
Please. Desus 1T Sauia Iaus tum down to night,
And bring us some presents before 1t is light.
| want he should div me a nice little sed,
With bright. shiny runners, and al painted yed
box fun Of tandy, book, and & toy.
imen and then, Desus, I'll be good boy"
The pra ere being ended they raised up their heads.
And with hearts light and cneelfull again sought
their beds;
They were soon lott in slulnber, both peaceful and
And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in
Eight, nine, and the lite French clock had struck
Ere the father had thought OF his children again:
He seems now t. hear Anni,s haf-suppresse6
sighs,
Ana to see the big tears stand IN wlIe's blue eyes.
- L was lalSl with ne mentally SAID.
d" And should not have seut them so early to bed,
But then was troubled, my feelings found vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per cent.
But of course he've forgot their troubles ere this
And that denied them the thrice asked-for kiss
But. just to make gu1e,T'n steal up to the door,
For never spoke harsh TO my darlings before"
So saving, he softly &sCended the stairs,
And arrived at the door 10 hear both their prayers
HIS Armies "bless papa draws forth the pig tears
And 'lie's grave promise alls sweet Oh his ears.
" strange, strange I'd forgotten" said he with z
sigh,
Chow longed, when child, to have Christmas
draw nigh.
III atone for my hardness" he 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 sik dressing gown
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out il the
street,
A millionaire facing the cold driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full OF candy TO the tiny gold ring.
Indeed, ne kept adding so much to bis store.
That the various presents outnumbered score,
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas
slowed.
Miss oily was seated beneath pine tree,
BY the side Of table spread out tor her tea;
work~box well filled in the centre was laid,
And on IL O ring for which annie had prayed
soldier in uniform stood by sled,
4" With bright shining runners and all painted red"
There were dogs, balls ana horses, books pleasing
to see,
And birds Of all oolors were perched in the tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in he top,
As if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid
And he said to himself as he brushed off a tear
8 I'm happier tonight than I've been for year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than before
What care il bank-stock falls ten per cent, more
Hereafter III make it a rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit Us each Christmas Eve"
So thinking, he nifty extinguished the light,
And tripped down the stairs to retire for The night
AS soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darknes TO flight, and the stars one by one
En.Ir little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied,
Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound.
And the very gifts prayed fCrwero all of them found
They laughed and they cried in their innocent glee
And shouted for " papa to come quick and see
Dust the things that they wanted,) and left before
light.
'fAnd now,' added Annie, N a voice soft and low
lyon believe there's Santa Clous, papa, know"
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between Snem should be
And told, in soft whispers, how Aunie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead
Used to Eneel down and pray by the side of her
chair,
And that God lpin heaven had answered her prayerl
" Den We dol up and payed dust as we az we tould
Aud Do3 answered our prayers now wasn't He
dood p
81 should say that He was # He cent you all these
And knew just what presents my children would
please,
(Wel. well, let him think So the dear little elf
'Iwould be cruel to tell him I did Il nyself)'
Blind father who caused your stern heart to relant?
And the hasty word spoken soon TO repent?
Twas The Beng who bade you steal softlg up stairs
And made you his agent TO answer theic prayers.