Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-12-26
Annie and Millie,s PRAYER.

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being peculiarly appropriate to the holidays;
Twas the eve before Christmas; "Good night
had been said,
And Annie ana Willie had erept into bed
There were tears on their pillows, aud tears i
their eyes
And each little bosom was heavy with signs
For tonight their stern fathers command Ia
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead of eight; for they troubled more
With the question unheard of than ever before
He had told them he thought this delusion a sin,
No such being as "Santa Claus" ever had been,
And he hoped, after this, he would never NOR
hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with present
each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.
Eight, nine and the clock in the steeple tolle,
ten;
Not word had been spoken by either till then,
When Wille's sad face from the blankets did
peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie, is you fast asleep =
"Why no, brother WILLIE" a sweet voice replies,
I've tried it in vain but l can't shut my eyes;
For somehow, it makes me sorry because
Now we know there IL, and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died;
But then, I've been thinking she used 10 pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would
say,
And perhaps she asked Him 10 send Santa Claus
here,
With the sacks full of presents he brought every
year.
avail hv taut XVo may inst mamma ala
then,
And ask Him TO send him with presents alden ,"
"rve been thinking 50 too" And without word
more
Four little bare feet bounded out on tha floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were elasped close to each
breast.
snow, Willie, you know must firmly believe
That the presents We ask for we're sure to receive
You must wait just as STILL till l say the Amen,
And by that you will know that your turn has
come then"
"Dcar Jesus look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking of Thee;
want wax dolly, 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 far better than he.
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen"
please, Desus, 'et Santa Taus tum down to-
night,
And bring us some presents before il is light,
want he should div Il nice little sed,
With bright, Singing runners, and all painted
yed;
\ box full Of tandy, book and toy,
Amen, and then, Desus I'll be a good boy"
no hi al h., a III
heads,
their bedsi
They were soon 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 though of his children again;
lie seems to hear Annie's half-suppressed signs,
And TO see the big tears stand in Willie's blue
eyes.
az was hash TO my darlings," he mentally said,
"And should not have sent them so early to bed,
But tacn was troQbled-my feelings found vent,
For bank stocks to-day have gone down ten per
cent
But of course they've forgotten their troubles ere
this,
And that 1 denied them the demonstration kiss
But, Just TO make sure, LII steal up to their door,
For never spoke harsh to my darings before"
50 saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived at the door in time to hear both of
their prayers.
His Annie's "bess papa" draws forth the big
tears,
And whites grave promise falls sweet on his ears.
strange, strange I'd forgotten" said he with
sigh,
"How longed when a child to have Christmas
draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere 1 sleep in my
bed"
Then he turned to the stairs - softly went
down,
Threw OF velvet slippers and silk velvet gown
Doomed hat, coat and boots, and went out in the
street,
\ millionaire facing the cod driving sleet,
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything
From u box full of candy to the tiny gold ring;
Indeed he kept adding 10 much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered score,
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Marys aid in the nursery twas
slowed;
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
by the side OF a table spread out tor her tea;
A work-box we'll flied in the centre was Laid,
And on it a ring for which Annie lad prayed
A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
"With bright, shining runners and all painted
red"
There were dogs, balls and horses, books pleasing
20 see,
And birds Of all colors were perched in tree;
While santa Claus, laughing stood up in the tor,
As if getting ready more presents to drop,
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
lie thought tor his trouble he had amply been
paid,
And he said 10 himself he brushed off tear
I'm happier tonight than I've been for year,
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before
What care If bank stock falls ten per cent. more
Hereafter III make it Iule, l believe,
To have santa Claus visit Us each Christmas eve"
30 thinking, he gently extingushed the light,
And tripped down stairs TO retire for the night.
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 espied.
Then out Of their beds they sprang with bound,
Anu the very gus prayed LOT All OF theih iouhd.
They laughed and they cried in their innocent glee,
And shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents dad Santa Claus bring in the night.
Just the things that they wanted,l and left before
light,
"And now" added Annie, in voice soft and low,
you'll believe there's a Santa Claus, papa,
know"
While dear little Willie climed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between them should be;
Aud told, in soft whispers, how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma, 50 long ago dead,
Used 70 kneel down and pray by the side of her