Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-12-26
Aud WiIIie's graye promise falls .sKeet on his

Strange, strange, I'd forgotten, said he,
with a sigh,
How lopged, when child, to have Christ
mas draw nigh,
I'll atone for my harshnsss, " he inwardly said
By answering their prayers ere'I sleep in
my bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly wen.
down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown.
DOnned hat, coat. and boots, and was ont in
the street,
A 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 outnumbereds score;
Then homeward he turned with his holiday
load,
And with Aunt Masy's aid 10 the nursery
twas slowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
By the side of table spread out for her tea I;
A work box we'll filed in the centre.was laid,
And Oh it a ring, for which Annie had prayed;
A soldier in uniform stood by sled;
With bright, shining runners, and all paint.
ed red"
There were balls, dogs aud horses, books
pleasing to see,
And birds of all colOrs were perched in the
While Santa clau. 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 been am
ply paid,
And he said to himselfas he brushed of q tear.
I'm happier tonight than I've been for
year,
I've enjoyed more truo pleasure than ever
before,
What care if bank stock fall ten per cent.
moro
Hereafter I'll make it rule believe,
To have Santa Claus visit US each Christmas
eve"
So thinking, he gently extiuguished the light,
And tripped down the stairs to retire for the
night.
As soon as the beans of tho bright morning
Put the darkness to fight, and the stars, one
by one, -.
-Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
And o4 tba sor,a ,,,o,,,aot tLo ,,.ooor4o l.
Then out of their beds they sprang with a
bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of
them found.
They laughed and they cried in their iuuo-
cent glee,
Aud shouted for "papa"t to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in
the night.
Dust tho things that they wauted), and left
before light.
And now." added Annie, in voice soft
and low,
"You believe there's Santa Claus, papa,
know 5"
While dear little Willie climbed up on his
knee,
Determined no secret between them should be;
And told, in soft whispers how Annie had
said
That their dear, blessed mamma SO long ago
dead.
Used to kneel down and pray by the side of
her chair,
And that God in heaven had answered her
prayer
''Then we dot up and prayed dust as we'll as
we tould,
And bod answered our prayers, now wasn't
he dood ?"
"l should say that BE was, if BE sent you
all these,
And knew just what presents my children
would please,
(Well, we'll, let him think SO, the dear little
elf,
'Twould be cruel to tell him did it my
self"
Blind father, who caused your stern heart to
relent
And the hasty word spoken SO soon to re-
pent?
Twas the Being who Bade you steal softly
up stairs.
And made you His agent to answer their
prayers.
a NOVEL DUN.-Printers are ingenious
fellows in the way of inveDting duus for
their patrons; but the following from the
East AloO'u"sta", rather ezceIs any thing We
have seen in the way of originality. Who
would dare to owe printer after reading It !?