The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-08-12
Annie's and Willie's Prayer.

Twas luC eve UelOlS Viii SOoo
night" had been said,
And Annie and Willie had orept into
bed;
There were tears on their pillows, and
tears in their eyes, 81.
And each little bosom was heavy with
sighs- .-..
For Tonight their stern fathers COM
mand had been given,
That they should retire precisely at
seven,
Instead OF eight, for they troubled him
more, '... ...
With questions unheard of than ever
before, 1-'-'.1.
He had told them he thought this delu-
sion sin,
No such being as "Santa Claus" ever
had been,
And he hoped, after this, he should
never more hear ..-.
How lie scrambled down chimneys with
presents each year,
And this was the reason that two little
heads,
So restlessly tossed OH their soft downy
beds, r... sr.
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple
- tOlled ten; ..e ..'.
Not word had been spoken by either
till then,
When Willie's sad face from the blanket
did peep,
And he whispered, "Dcar Annie, is you
fast asleep?" .t.l.-..t..
"Wby, no, brother Willie," a sweet
voice replies, '.
"I've tried it in vain, but can't shut
my eyes;
For somehow it makes me SO sorry be-
.. cause, .... ..n
Deor 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, Hr.
And God would hear everything Nam
ma would say, .
And perhaps she asked Him to send
''Santa Claus" here,
With the sacks full of presents he
brought every year."
"Nell, why tan't we pay dest as Nam
ma did then,
And ask Him to send him with presents
aden 2"
I've been thinking so, too" And with
out word more .....
Four little bare feet bounded out on the
floor,
And four little knees, the soft-carpet
prest,
And two tiny hands were clasped close
to each breast.
Now, Willie, you know we must firm
ly believe
That the presents we ask for, we're sure
to receive;
You must wait just as still till I say the
"Amen,n
And by that you will know that your
turn has come them
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother
and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking OF
Thee; 3D..
I want wax doll, tea set and ring,
And all ebony work box that shuts with
aspiring;
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, Desus, 'et Santa Taus tum down
tonight,
And bing us some presents fore it is
light.
I want he should div ME nice little
With blight, shiny runners, and all
painted yed;
A box full of tandy, book and a toy,
Amen, and den Desus. I'll be a dood
boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised
up their heads,
And hearts light and cheerful again
sought their beds;
They were soon lost in slumber both
peaceful and deep,
And with fairies in Dreamland were
roaming in sleep.
Eight, nine, and the little French clock
had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of his chill
dren again;
He seems now to hear Annie's half
suppressed sighs,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's
blue eyes.
II was harsh with my darlings," he
mentally said,
Sand should not have sent them so
b. early tu bed; ar ~
But then + was troubled-my feelings
b. found vent. -
For bank-stock to-day has gone down
ten per cent.
But, of course, they've forgot their trou-
BILE ere this
And that denied them the thrice asked
for kiss
But Just to make sure-I'll steal up to
their door,
For I never spoke harsh to my darlings
BEFORE"
So saying he softly assembled the stairs
And arrived attthe door to hear both Of
their prayers.
His Annie's "bless Papa" draws forth
the big tears,
And Willie's grave promise falls sweet
on his ears. ..
"Strange, strange, I'd forgotten" salo
lie with sigh,
"How l longed when a child to have
Christmas draw uigh; =.
I'll atone for my harshness" he inward
ly said
"By answering their prayers ere sleeI
in my bed" o.,
Then he turned to the stairs and softly
went down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dress
| ing gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots and was out
in the street,
A millionoire facing the cold driving
] sleet, :,
Nor stopped he, until he had bough
everything, -
From the box full of candy to the tiny
gold ring; -.
Indeed he kept adding so much to hi
store,
That the various presents outnumberet
score;
Then homeward he turned with hi
20. holiday load,
And, with Aunt Mary's aid, IN the nur
,,,,, Jt,,o, ctn1yn6