Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-12-20
ANYIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.

their eyes,
Aud each little bosom was heavy with signs:
For tonight their stern fathers command had
been given
Tina, they should retire precisely at seven
Instead Of eight; for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before
he had told them he thought this delusion sin,
No such being as - Santa Claus ever had been;
And he hoped, after this, he should ne'ermore
hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents
each year. 80
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restessly tossed Oh their soft, dowDy beds.
Eiyht, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled
ten
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 aseep!'
why no. brother Willie a sweet voice replies,
II have tried II in vain. but can't shut my ewes;
Fer 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
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa Claus
With the sacks fun of presents he brought every
wear.
"WeH. why ian'tw we pay dest as mamma did then,
And ask Him to send him with presents aden?'
=" I've been thinking so, too" And without
Four little hare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close TO each
breast.
Now WiHie you know. we must firmly believe
That the presents ask for we'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
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant US the favor we're asking of Thee:
| want wax dolly Il tea-set and ring,
And an ebony box that shuts like spring;
Bles. papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to
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, ct Santa Taus tum down to-
night,
And bring some presents before it is light:
want he should dive me nice little sed.
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted yed;
A box full of tandy, book and toy.
Amen; and then, Desus III be dood 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 slumber, both peaceful and
And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in
sleep.
Eight nine, ana the little French clock had struck
Ere the father had thought of his children again;
He seems now to hear Armies half-suppressed
signs,
Aud to see the big tears stand in wille's blue
4" was harsh with my darngs, he mentally said,
Aud should not have sent them 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 they've forgotten their troubles ere
this.
And that / denied them the thrice. asked for kiss;
But just to make III steal up to their door.
For never spoke harsh to my darllngs before
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived al the door 10 hear both of their pray
eIs
Ills Annie's bless papa" draws forth the big
tears
And Wiles grave promise falls sweet on his
ears.
Strange, strange, I'd forgotten, 4" SAID he, with a
sigh.
II How / longed, when a child, to have Christmas
draw nigh.
ri atone for nv 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 OFT velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat. coat and boots, and was ont in the
street.
millionaire facing the cold driving sleet;
Nor stopped he until he had bought every thing,
From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring;
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store
That the various presents outnumbcred u score;
Then homeward ne turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Marys help in the nursery twas
slowed
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
BY the side OF q table spread out for her tea;
a work boS well filed in the center was laid,
soldier in uniform stood by sled,
With bright shining runners and all painted
red -
There were balls. dogs and horses. books pleasing
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree,
While Santa Claus, laughing stood mp in he top
A. If getting ready more presents to drop;
And a. the fond .ather the picture surveyed
He thought for his trouble he'd amply been paid
And ne said TO himself, as he brushed of II tear,
- I'm happier 70 night than I've been for year:
% n MOI trna hartr1 han hp
What care If bank stock falls ten per cent morel
Hereafter III make il a rule believe,
To have Santa Claus visit Us each Christina eve -
So thinking he gently extngul shed the light.
And triPped down stairs to retire for the night.
Put the darkness to fight, and the stars one by
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide.
AND at the same moment the presents cspied;
Then ont OF their beds they sprang with a bound.
And the very gin. prayed for were all of them
found
They laughed and they cried in their innocent
And shouted for papa" to come quick and gee
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the
night
Dust the things which they wantcd), and left be
And now added Annie, in voice soft and low,
ION Il believe there's Santa Claus, papa, |
v A4Nc 'ttI NIUE WINE climbed up on Hl-
determined be ween them no secret should be,
ana told, IN soft whispers. how Annie had sad
mat their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead,
Used to kneel down and pray by the side of her
char
And that God ~ in Heaven had answered her
prayer.
Then We dot up and Played dust as well as We
tould,
Aud bod answered our prayers, now wasn't He
GoodE
should say that He was if He sent you all
these,
And knew just what presents my children would
please:
We'll. well, Jet him think So the dear little elf
IWould be cruel TO tell him did ii myself
Blind father! Who caused your stern heart 10 re
LENT
Aud TIE ha~ty word spoken soon 20 repents
Twas the Lord, who babe you steal softly uu
stairs.
aud made You Hi agent 70 ansMer their prayers