The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-12-26
Select 4oetrp.
ANNIE AND WILLIE.
OR now A PRAYER WAS ANSWERED..


Twas the eve before Christmas; Good night" had
been said.
And Annie and Willie had erept 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 fatbers commands had been
given,
That they should retire precisely at seven.
Instead OF eight, for they troubled him more
With questions unheard ofthhn ever before:
He had told them he thought this delusion sin.
No such thing Us Santa Claus ever had been,
And he hoped, after this, he should neyermore hear
How he scrambled down chimncys with presents
each year
And this was the reason that two little heads
so restlessly tossed on their son, downy beds.
Eight nine and the clock on the steeple toled ten
Not word had been spoken by either till then,
When willics sad face from the blankets did peep
And whispered. Dear Annie, Is you fast asleepY"
why, no, brother Willie" sweet voice replies,
"Tye tried It In vain. but can't shut my eyes;
For, somehow. IL makes me so sorry because
Dear papa has said the re Is no Santa Claus
Now we know there is and II 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 every thing mamma would say
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa Clans
here,
With the sacks full of presents he brought every
year"
"Well, why tan't we pay dest as mamma did then,
And ask Him TO send him with with presents adeng'
"Pve been thinking so, too" And without word
more
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the fioor,
And four little knees the son carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast
Now Willie you know we must armly believe
That the presents we ask for we're sure TO receive
You must wait just as still till say the 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 are asking of thee:
want wax doll, a tea set and ring,
And an ebony box that shuts with q spring.
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him 10 sec
That Santa Claus loves US far better then he
Don't let him get fretful and angry again,
At dear brother Willie and Annie amen"
"Pease, Desus, ct Santa Taus tum down tonight,
And bring us some presents before It is light,
want no sould dive a nice little sed,
With bright shinin yuuueH and all painted yed
box full Of tandy. a book and toy,
Amen, and then. Desus, I'll be dood gNy,"
Their prayers being ended they raised up their heads
And with hearts light and cheerful again sought
their beds;
They were soon lost in slumber both peaceful and
deep,
And with fairies In dreamiand were roaming in
sleep
Eight, nine, and the little Frunch clock had struck
ten,
Ere the father had thought OF his children again;
Hes now to hear Annies halfsuppresscd sighs
And to the big tears stand in willies blue eyes
q was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said,
And should not have sent them so carly to bed;
And then was troubled-my feelings found vent
For sank stock to-day has gone down ten per cent.
But OF course they've forgot their troubles ere this
And that denied them the thrice asked for kiss;
But, just to make sure. III steal up to their door
For never spoke harsh to my darlings before;
SO saying, he softly ascended the stairs;
And arrived at the door to hear both ofhelr prayer
His Annie's bless papa" draws forth the big tears
And willies grave promise falls sweet on his ears
Strange, strange I'd forgotten, said he with sigh
'Iiow longed when child to have Christmas draw
nigh.
III atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
by answering their prayer ere sleep in my bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw of velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
Donned hat coat and boots and out In the street
millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full ofcandy to the tiny gold ring:
Indeed. he kept adding 40 much TO his store,
That the various presents outnumbered score:
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's help in the nursery 'twai
slowed;
Miss dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
by the side of a table spread out for her tea
Awork-box well-fllled In the centre was laid,
And on ii ring for which Annie had prayed.
soldier in uniform stood by a sled,
with bright shining runners and all painted red
There were balls dogs and horses bookspleasing Il
sec,
And birds Of all colors were perched in the tree;
While Santa Claus laughing. stood up in 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 amply been paid
And he said to himself as he brushed of tear,
I'm happier to night than I've been for year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before,
What care II bank stock falls ten per cent more;
Hereafter I'll make II rule | believe
To have Santa Claus visit US each Christmas eve"
SO thinking he gently 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 darkness In flight and the stars one by one
-Four little blue eyes out of sleep open wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied.
Then out of their beds they sprang with bound,
And the very gifts prayed for all Of them found
They laughed and they cried in their innocent gee
And shouted for papa to come quick and sec
What presents old saa Claus brought in the night,
just the things that they wanted light
"And now" added Annie. In voice son and low,
"You1l believe there's Santa Claus, papa, know;
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,