The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-20
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A CHRISTMAS POEM.
ANNLE AND WILLLES pRAYEp

been said, ~
ana Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
i"oie were tears on lheir pillows, and tears In
anu each ilttle bosom was heavlng with sighs,
tut "'nIghl their stern fathers command had
been given,
ihat they should retire precisely at seven
instead OF at eight for they troubled him more
WIN questions unheard Of than ever before.
he told them he thought this delusion sin.
Nosuch being as Santa Claus" ever had beea
Ana he hoped after this, he should never more
hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with ppesents
each year
And this was the reason that two little beada
SO restlessly toss d on their soft downy beds
Eght-nine-and the clock on the steeple tolpd
ten;
Not a word had been spoken between them till
When wlllle's sad face from the blanket did
peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie. is you fast AsIeen1n
mhy no. brother While" a sweet voice replies,
We oeen trying 80 hard but l can't shut my
eyes,
For somehow It makes me so sorry because
NNNN@A ftsf" AAuo nhlh tublG ID no 'DhILA LlAuB'
NOW we Know that there Island 1t can't be de-
MED,
For he came every year before mamma had died.
But then I've been thinking that she used to
pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would
say.
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa Claus
here,
With the sack full of presents he brought every
year"
well, why cant we pray dest as mamma did
then,
And ask bod to send him with presents aden ~
i've been thinking so, tOO''--and without q word
more
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the aoor,
And two tiny hands were soon clasped to each
breast
Now, Willie, you know. we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we're sure tnreceiye:
You must wait just as still till say the 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're asking of Thee,
l want wax dolly-a tea set and ring
And an ebony work box that shuts with spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us far better than he,
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie-amenw
Please, Desus, et Santa Taus' tum down tonight
And bring us some presents before it is light;
want he should dive me nice little sled,
With bright shining runners and all painted ed
box full of tandy book and a Toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, I'll 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 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 Annie's halfsuppressed
sigh.
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue
81 was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
"And should not have sent them so early to
bed;
But, then was troubled, my feelings found vent,
For bank stock to-day had 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 sure, I'll steal up to their door,
For l never spoke harsh to my darlings before"
So saying, he softly asceuded the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of their pray
ers;
His Annie'S "bless papa" draws forth the big
tears,
And willie's grave promise falls sweet on his
ears.
Strange strange, I'd forgotten" said he with
Sigh,
How longed, when child, to have Christmas
come nigh,
an atone for my hRrshness" he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere l sleep In my
bed"
Then he 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.
A Misunderstanding the cold, driving sleet:
Nor stopped he, until he had bought everything,
To the box full Of candy, and that tiny ring;
Indeed he kept adding so much to his store
That the various presents outnumbered score,
l0eu lOn6WdIu ne tuEuOu VIII ulb uOlluhy lOhuT
And with Aunt Marys help in the nursery twas
slowed;
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree
By the side of table spread out for her teal
A work box, well filed in the centre was laid,
And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed;
A soldier in uniform, stood by sled
with bright, shining runners, and all painted
red"
There were dogs, balls and horses, books pleasing
to see,
And birds OF all COlors were perched in the tree;
While Santa Claus" laughing, stood mp in the
top,
As If getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed
He tho't for his trouble he'd been amply repaid.
And he said to himself as he brushed off a tear,
I'm happier TO- night than I've been for a year,
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before;
What care If bank stock fell ten per cent. more2
Hereafter Ill make 1t rule, believe,
TO have "Santa Claus" visit us each Christmas
eve"
So thinking, he gently extinguished the light,
And tripped down the stairs to retire for the
night.
As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by
by one,
Four little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied.
Then out of their beds they sprang with bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them
found.
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent
glee, ...E
and shouted for Papa" to come quick and see
What presents good Santa Claus bro't in the
night
Just the things that they wanted) and left before
light;
And now" added Annie in voice soft and low,
You'll believe there's a Santa Claus papa, 1
know"
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between them should be,
And he told in soft whispers how Annie had said
That their blessed good mamma, so long ago dead,
Jsed 10 kneel down and;pray by the side Of her
chair,
Aud that God up in Heaven had answered her
prayer;