Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-12-21
CHRISTMAS EVE.
AMIR AND v11L1E's PRAYER.

CHRISTMAS EVE.
ANNIE AND WILLIE s PRAYER.
Twas the eve before CHRISTMAS: GOOD night" hal
been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on their pillows, and tears In he!r
And each little bosom, waa heav'as with s'shs-
Fer to night their stern fathers commands had been
given,
That they should retire prec'aely ST.,
Instead OF at 8; for they troub ed him more
With cues ions unhcard Of than ever before;
He told then, he thought this delusion sin.
No such thing "a "Sania Claus ever haG oesa
And he hoped after this he should nevcr'nore hear
How he scran bed down chimIcys with presents Gael.
year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So rss,less!y tossed on their soft. downy beds
Eight, nine and the clock on the stecpc to:ed tsa
Not a word had been spoken by eth til tAcn,
When willie's sad face from the blanket did peep.
And whispered. ''Dcar Annie, Is you fast asleep?
"Nhy, no, brother Will!c.'' sweet voice replies,
"Iv'e tried it in vain. but can't shut my cyca;
For somehow. it makes me sorry because
Dear papa has said there Is no SANTA Claus"
Now. VIC know there Is, and it can't be denied.
Fer he came every year before mamma died
But then I've been thinking that she usd to pray.
And God would hear everything u,alnma would say,
And perhaps ahc asked him to scr Santa Claus acre;
With the sacks full OF presents lie brought every year.
rwe!l. why tan't We pray ees! rs nani'ns cid thor
And ask Him to send him With rreacnts ascn?'
I've been thinking too" An! Without WoTl
more
Four little bare feet bounded cut Oh :hc aoor,
And four little knees the sor carpet pressed.
and two tiny hand, were clasped close to each breast
"Sow, Willie. you know w must nrlnly believe
That the presents ssk for We are sure to receive;
You must wait just as still til! say Amen
And by that you Will Know t!,ayou: turn t&s come
then.
"Dear jesus. look tnw,A Oh my hro1,er and mo,
And grant Us the favor asking CT thee:
/ want = wax dolly, q tcaset and ring.
And 81 ebony work box that sluta with sp7:ag.
Bless Papa. Dear Jesus, an;! cause him 20 see
That SaDta Claus loves ia far better t.:aa he.
Don't let hi,l. set frt tsu and ans-: agGr.
At dear bsutLer Willie and Anna: -t.ica."
Please Ecsus. let Santa Taus tin! down tonight.
And bling soslc r'esea;s before II Is light.
want he should dive ne nice little SD.
With blight sinin' yunner. and all painted Jed;
4 dox f.,l o. taI'y, a book. and 2 toy.
Amen. And then Dcsus Ill be q dood boy
Their prayers being erIed they raised up their heads.
Ard with heat: light ani cheerful again sought their
beds:
They lost IN s.umber, both peaceful and
deep.
And with IA ir:ss il Greenland roaming il sleep.
Eight nne and the little French clock had struck ten.
Ere the father had thought OF his children again:
Uo seems 70 hear Armies half suppressed t!shs
And 10 zee tie tears taud il " lilies blue eyes.
1 was harsh with my dar:irss," re mentally sa:a
Ard s.cud MT have sort them 50 ear ~ to bed:
But then Was IF, ubeG-uly feelings IHd vent,
For bank stock TO day has gone down ten per cent.
But Of course they've forgot their trouble ,his
And ltat dered them the trriceatkedor kiss;
Bu just to make II! srea! up TO tneir door,
For I Fever ,poke harsh to my dsrnss before"
So eayin2 he softly GsceGded the stairs.
And arrived the heard both their
His Anc;es bees raps" draws forth the big tears,
And Wie's grave Pre- mise falls sweet ca his ears.
"s1renGe. slrlnEe Id fol en-. said he with Sigh,
"Eow lorsed when aclLd, TO have Christmas draw
nigh.
III atone fer my harshness," lie inwardy said.
Ny answering their prayers ere sleep IN my bed"
Then he turned to III, stairs ard softly went down.
Threw of velvet slippers and silk dressing gown
Donned hat coai aud boots ard went out in the street,
A millionaire facing the cold. driving sleet
Nor stopped he until he ha! bought everything.
From the box full Of candy to the tiny e III ring;
Indeed. he Kept adding go much to his store.
That the various presents ouInulr hercd . score,
Then hoineward he turned with his .day load.
And with Aunt M9r:s help In the nursery twaB
slowed;
Miss oily seated beneath Pie tree
~ the side "a tAb'e spread cut for her tea:
i wcrH box wei Tiled in tic centre wa7 laid.
And on it the rig for which Annie had prayed.
a soldier IA ulft rlu atot d ty the sled,
with bright HMM: runners, and all painted red"
There balls, egs, ard horses. books pleasing 10
see.
Ard III! ds CT all co!crs pe-c!.ed in the tree.
While Santa Claus larg' ing. scCG up in the top.
As If getting ready more rresol's 10 1rcr.
And as II e fond father the 4 ctnre surveyed,
He though Ger his trouble he lad amp: been paid.
And he SAID TO hin, self as he brushed CT
I'm happier Tonight than I've been TOR year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before.
What care ii bank stock ia!s down ten Per Cert.
Elosc!
Hereafter I'll make 1t rule, I believe.
TO lave Santa Claus visit rs each Christmas Eve
So thinking he gently ex,!ngrIshcd the light,
And trpoed dow the stairs 70 retire for Tie night.
As soor as the beams Of the bright sun
Put the darkness TO flight, END tie By ona.
-Four little blue eyes cut CT sleep opened wiLe
And at the same Inc mcnt tie prtstn, copied,
Then CT OF their beds they sprarg with bound,
And the yer. e's rrsytd fer rcle all Of them found
They laughed and theJ cried in their innocent gee,
And shouted for "pal a. to ccUie quick ard see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night.
Dust TIE things that they wantca} AID left before
light.
And ow.' added Annie. II ! Voice soft al d low,
You'll believe there's Santa Claus papa, know"
While Gear little Willie climbed up en- his knee
Determined TO sec-ct between item should be:
And told, In soft whispers, how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma SO long ago dead.
tsed to sreel down aud pray t the side OF her chair.
And that God up in heaven ad answered her prayer:
Then We oct up aid Played cest as veil as toud.
and Dod answered Our Payers now wasn't He dood''
II should say lie vas, If he sent you all these.
AID know Jus: what presents M children would
please.
[Hcl well, e: him think 80. the dear little Ell.
'Iwouu be cruel to tel! him did i. myself"
Bind father. who caused your stern heart to relcrt?
And tie hasTy word spoken go soon to repent?
Twas the Being who bace you steal softly upstairs
And made Sou His agent to answer their prayers.
Mrs Sophia ?. Stow.