Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-12-22
Poetry
CHRISTMAS EVE.
BY SOPHIA P. SNOW.

LIN uofA eiA~AAA hO
No sue h creature as santa Claus ever had been
And he hoped, after this. he should nsver more neal
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents
each year,
And this was the reason that two little heads
So r~estlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten
Not word had been spoken by elthertll then.
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And he whispered, "Dear Annie, is 'oufas aseep?"
sWhy, no, brother Willie a sweet voice replies;
''Tve long tried in vain, but 1 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 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 Cod would hear everything mamma would say
And maybe she asked Him to send Santa Claus here
With the sack full Of presents he brought every
year"
sWell, why tant we pay dest as mamma DID den,
And ask bod to send him with present; aden?"
.rye been thinking 50 too" and without a wore
more
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to eacl
breast.
ssNow, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we're sure to receive
You must wait just as still till I say tie Amen
And by that you will 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 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 as much as does he;
Don't let him getfretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and annie. Amen"
s.Please, Desus, ct Santa Taus tum down tonight;
And bling us some pesents before it is light:
Iwan't he should div me a nice title sed,
With bright shlnin unners, and all painted red;
A box full of tandy, a book and 4 toy
Amen, and den, Desus, I'll be a 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, beth peaceful and
deep,
And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in
sleep
Eight, nine, and the little French clock had struck
ten,
Ere the father had thought of his children again
He seems now to hear Armies haif-Suppressed
sig hs,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue eyes,
81 was harsh with my darlings,'' he mentally said,
AIu uOufo " navy GSho AASl ~ SNfJ w WV
But then I was troubled; my feeling. 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 hrice-ashed-fo FOL kiss
And Just to nal Ike sure, I'll steal up to the door,
For 1 never spoke harsh to my darlings before"
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both OF their
prayers;
r:- 49,. -, sDJoo ,o,,oi3 Jroru forth tho hiu toorS
And Wiliie's grave promise fell sweet on his ears.
misunderstanding I'd forgotten" said he with a
sigh,
How [ longed, when a child, to have Christmas
draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harShnesS," he lnWardly said,
'.By answering their prayers ere l sleep i'll my
bed-'
Then turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw Off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in the
street.
The millionaire facing the cold driving s!eet!
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the box full OF candy to the tiny god ring;
indie ed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered a score;
Then hOmeward he turned. when his holiday load,
With Aunt Mary's help, in the nursry was slowed,
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree
By the side of a table spread for her tea;
A work box well filed i'll the centre was laid,
And on it the ring for which Anne had prayed:
A soldier in uniform stood by a sled
'sW it'll bright shining runners, and all painted red.
There we're balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing
to see
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top,
As ii 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 Off u tear
I'm happier to -night than I've been + IL a year,,
I've enioyed more true pleasure than ever before.
What care [ il bank-Stock falls ten per cent. more
Hereafter I'll make it a rule, l believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas-eye.
So thinking, he gently eXtinguished the light,
And, tripping down stairs, he retired for the night
AS soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one
Four little blue eyes out OF sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents eSpled;
Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of then
found.
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent
glee,
And shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the
night
lJust the things that they wanted). and left before
llShts
land now,'' added Annie, in voice soft and low,
you'll believe there's a Santa Claus, papa, l
know
While dear little Willie climbed up Oh his knees,
Determined no secret between them should be,
And told in soft whispers how Annie mad said
That their dear, blessed mamma, So long ago dead
Used to kneel down and pray by the side Of he
chair.
And that God up in heaven had answered he
prayer.
Den we dot up and prayed dust as well as w
TODD,
And bod answered our prayers, now, wasn't h
dood ?'
81 should say that He was ii He sent you ai these.
And knew just what presents my children Wouli
please.
(Well, well, let hint think so, the dear little elf
'rwould be cruel to tell him., l did it myself."O
Blind father ! Who caused your stern heart to relent
And the hasty words spoken so soon t, repent?
Twas the Being who babe you steal softly up stairs
And made You HIS agent TO answer Their prayers.