The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-12-21
CHRISTMAS EVE.
ANNE AND wILLIEs PRAYER.

That they should retire precisely 4; :.
Instead of at 8; .or they troub ed him more
With questions unheard oil than ever before;
He told them he thought this desusion d Sill.
20 such thing as santa Claus ever had beel.
And he hoped after this he should heverniore hear
How he scrambled down chnEeys with presents each
year.
And this the that two little ita1f
SO restlessy tossed on their soft. tosns bees
Eight, nine. and the clock the seep.e toiled zen;
Nota word had been spoken by eth I'll. tner-
When Wilie's sad face from the blanket did peep
And whispered. dear Annie. is you fast asieep"'
why, no, brother Willie sweet voice replies.
I've tried it in vain. but can't shut my eyes;
For somehow il makes so sorry because
Dear papa has said there is 20 santa Claus
Now we know there is. and it can't be denied.
For he every year before mamma died:
But then I've been thinking that she usd to pray.
And God would hear everything mamma would say.
And perhaps she asked him to erd Santa Claus here;
With the sacks full OF presents he brought every year
well. why tan't we pray dest as mamma did then,
And ask Him 10 send him with presents aden?'
I've been thinking TOO" And without word
-Four little bare feet bounded out the floor
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And tiny hands clasped close to each breast.
Now Willie. you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for sure 70 receive:
You wait Just still till say Amen
And by that you will know that your turn has come
then.
Dear Jesus, look down my brother and ne,
And grant the favor are asking OF thee
want dolly. tea-set and ring,
And an ebony work box that shuts with a spring,
Bless papa, Dear Jesus and cause him 10
That Santa Claus loves us far better than ne.
Don't let him get fretful and angry again,
At dear brother Willie and Annie; Anc-.
Please Desus let Santa Taus down tonight,
And bling us some p'csents before 1t il light.
/ want he should dive nice little sed.
With blight shnn gunner and alf painted ycf;
A doX full OF tandy, book and a toy.
Amen, and then DesCs I'll be = dood boy.
Their prayers being ended they up their heads
And with hearts hight and cheerful again sought their
beds
They los, in slulnher, bpta peaceful and
And with ia tries II Greenland were roaming in sleep
Eight nine and the little French coc had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought Of his children again
He seems now to Annie's unsurpassed sghs.
And the tears stand in Wille's blue eyes.
i was harsh with my darings," he mentally sad,
"And should not have sout them 70 early to bed;
But then WAS troubed-ny feelings # und vent.
For bank stock LAY has gone down ten per cen,
But ofeourse they've forgot their troubles ere This.
And that denied them the thricc-asked-for kiss
But just mike sure. III steal up 10 their door.
For never spoke harsh TO my darlings before
so saying he softly assembled the stairs
And arrived the door 70 hear both Of their prayers
His Annics bless papa" draws forth the big tears.
And Wilii4's grave promise falls sweet on his ears.
''Strangc. strange I'd forgotten" said lie with a sign.
How longed when child, 10 have Christmas draw
nigh
III atone for NY harstucss." be in~ardly said.
by answering their prayers ere sleep IN my bed.
hen he turned 70 the stairs and softly went down,
hrcw Off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
ponned hat coat. and boots and went outn the street
millionaire facing the cold driving sleet,
Nor stepped he unril he had bought everything.
From The boy tnll Of candy 70 The ting gold ring;
Indeed. he kept adding much 10 his store.
That the various presents 0utnumhered score
Then homcward he turned with his holiday load.
ina with AUNT Mary's help III the nursery ,uyas
slowed;
Mtss oily senteG beneath pine tree.
Ily The side table spread out Tor her tea:
\ work box vel fed IN the centre la.0.
And on IL the ring for which Annie had prayed
\ soldier IN uniform stood hy the sled.
"With bright shining runners, and all psinted req.
There halls 4, = and horses books pleasing to
see,
And birds of all ceiors were rerchcd in tar tire
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the tei.
As II getting ready more presents - drop,
Md as the fond father the picture surveyed.
He thought for hts trouble he had amply been pa.6.
And he said to himself as ne brushed OF a
I'm happier to-night than I've been tor year
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before,
What care II bank stock falls down ten per cent.
more
Hereafter I'll make It rule, believe,
To have Santa laGs visit each Christmas Eve.
SO thinking, he gently cNtinguishe! the light.
And tripped down the stairs 10 retire for the night.
As the beams OF III. bright sun
Put the darkness fight, and the by one.
Four little blue EYES cut OF sleep opened wide.
And at the same moment the presents cspsd.
Then Gus OF their beds they sprsng WIKI bound.
And the yer, gifts prayed for all OF them found.
They laughed and they cried in their innocent glec.
And shouted for papa TO come quick and
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night
just the things that they wanted. ard left before
iShS
And ow.' added Annie. In voice soft ard low
You'll believe there's Santa Claus, papa know I"
While dear little Willie climbed up On hi. knee
Determined no secret between them should be;
And told. In soft whispers, Now Annie had SAID
That their dear, blessed mamma So long ago dead
Used 10 kneel down and pray by the side OF her chair
And that God up in heaven had answered her prayer
Then dot up and psyed dest well toud.
And bod answered payers wasn't lie dood ="
~ Shond say lie WAS II He sent YOU all these.
Aud know lust what presents MY children would
please.
We'll well, e him think So. the I'ar little eff.
'rwoud Be cruel 10 tell him | did Il myself. -
Blind father, who caused your stern heart rrient
And the hasty word spoken To repent
'rwss the Retng no hse you steal softly upstairs
And nade yoa Ills agent 10 answer their PRAYERS
Mrs. Scptia L snow.