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


Instead Of at s.; for they troub. ed him mere
With questions unheard OF than ever before:
He told them he thought this deiusion sin,
No such thing as ''Santa Claus ever had beer,
And he hoped after this he should nevermOre hear
How he scrambled down chmEeys with presents each
year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft. Gowny beds
Eight nine and the clock the steep!e tolled ten;
Not word had been spoken by eth TIL tnen,
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep.
And whispered "Dear Annie, is you fast asleep?'
"WhY, no, brother We," sweet voice replies,
1--we tried it in vain. but can't shut my eyes;
For, somehow. it makes me SO sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus
Now. we know there lie, and it can't be denied,
For he came 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 seEd Santa Claus here;
With the sacks full of preeens he brought every year.
''We why tant we pray dest as mamma did then.
And ask Him to send him with presents aden"'
1--WE been thinking so too" And without word
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands casped close to each breast,
Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we are sure TO rcceve
You must 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 nae,
And grant us the favor we are asking Of thee:
l want a wax dolly, a tea-set and ring.
And an ebony work box that shuts with a spring.
Bless papa, Dear Jesus. and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us far better than he
Don't let him get fretfu and angry again.
At dear brother Willie and Annie; AmcI.
Please Des,is. let Santa Taus tun down tonight,
And bling some pesents before it is light.
l want he should dive me nice little sed,
With blight shinin' gunner, and all painted yed;
dox full of tandy, book, and a toy.
Amen, and then DesUs I'll be a dood boy
Their prayers being ended they raised up their heads
And with light and cheerful again sought their
beds;
They were soon lost in slumher, bot. peaceful and
deep,
And with ia tries in dreanand roaming in sleep.
Eight nne and the little French clock had struck ten
Ere the father had thought of his children again:
lie seems now to hear Annies halfsuppressed sighs.
And to see the tears stand in Willies blue eyes,
i was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said,
"And should not have sont them 70 early to bed;
But then was troubled-my feelings Il und vent,
For bank stock to DAY has gone down ten per cent.
But of course they've forgot their troubles ere this.
And that denied them the thrccaskedfor kiss;
But. just to make sure III steal up to their door,
For never spoke harsh to my darngs before"
So saying he softly assembled the stairs.
And arrived at the door to hear both Of their prayers
His Anne's bless papa" draws forth the big tears,
And Williss promise falls sweet on his ears.
'Srangc strange I'd forgotten" said he with sigh,
''How | onged when child TO have Christmas draw
nigh.
I'll atone for my harshncss,' he inwardly said.
by answering their prayers ere sleep In my bed
hen he turned 10 the stairs and softly went down,
brew off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
Donned hat, and boots and went out in the street.
millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full of candy 10 the tiny gold ring;
Indeed. he kept adding much to his store.
That the various presents outnumhcred a score,
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load.
and with Aunt Mary's help in the nursery twas
slowed;
Miss oily seated beneath pine tree.
By the side of u table spread out for her TEA
work box wel,'nllcd In the centre was laid,
And on 1t the ring for which Annie had prayed.
4 soldier in uniform stood by the sled,
with bright shining runners, and all painted red
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing TO
And birds of all coiors were pcrchcd In the tree.
While Santa Claus, laughing. stood up in the top.
As If getting ready more presents 10 drop,
And AS the fond father the picture surveyed.
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid.
And he said to himself rs he brushed of II tear
I'm happier Knight than I've been tor year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before,
What care l ii bank stock falls down ten per cent
more.
Hereafter I'll make It a rule believe.
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve
SO thinking. he gently extinguished the light,
And trippsd down the stairs to retire for the night.
As soon IA the beams of the bright sun
Put the darkness to flight and the stars one by
-Four little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide.
And ut the same moment the presents espied.
Then out Of their beds they sprsng with bound.
And the very gifts pray for all OF them found
They laughed and they cried in their innocent giec.
And shouted for papa" to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night
Gust the ,hirgs that they wanted ard left before
light
"Aud ow." added Annie. In voice sof, and low,
"Youli believe there's Santa Claus. papa. know"
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined secret between them should be:
And told, in son whispers, NOW Annie had said
That their dear. blessed mamma SO long ago dead
Used to kncel down and pray by the side OF her chair
And that God up In heaven had her prayer.
Then VIC dot up and Played dest well as toud.
And bod answered payers wasn't He doos.
~ should say lie was II He sent you ali these.
And know just what presents MY children would
please.
well well. e. him think 50. the arar little eli.
Twoud be cruel to tell him did II myself"
Blind father. who caused your stern hear. TO rr,enta
And the hasty word spoken 10 repent?
Twas the Being who hsdc you steal softly upstairs
And made you His agent TO answer their prayers
Mrs. Sophia T. snow.
Alexandria.