Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-12-26
20 ETlcAL.
CHRISTMAS EVE.
BY MRS. SOPHIA p. SNOW.


bed; -.-a. -f
There were tears on their pillows, and
.tears in tneir eyes,
And each little bosom was heavy with
sighs-
For tonight their stern fathers COM
mend had been given, .-Ii
That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead Of at eight; for they troubled
him more
With questions unheard of then ever
before;
He had told them he thought that de-
fusion SIN, s.. s
No such being as Santa Clause ever had
been, i,5
And he hoped, after this, he should
nevermore hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with
presents each year,
And this was the reason that two little
heads
So restlessly tossed ON their soft, downy
beds.
Eight. nine, and the clock on the
steeple tolled ten;
Not word had been spoken by either
till then, +
When Willie's sad face from the blank
ct did peep, @ 49,, i
And whispered, sDear Annie, is you
fast asleep?" p
:Why, no, brother Willie," sweet
t Voice replies. =
1--WE tried it in vain, but can't shut
| my eyes; . ---~
For, somehow, it makes me so sorry
because
Dear papa has said there iSno Santa
| Clause.
Now we know there is, and it can't be
| denied, ..r. .~..---E'
For he came every year before mamma
died. u.l..-..
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 Clause here.
With his sacks full of presents he
brought every year"
''Well, why tan't we pay dest as
mamma did then,
And ask him to send him with presents
aden.'
'I've been thinking so too" and
without word more,
Four little feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees that soft CARPET
pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close
to each breast.
Now, Willie, you know we must
firmly believe;
Y GU must wait just rs 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 are asking
Of Thee;
l want wax doll, tea set and ring.
And an ebony work-box that shuts
with spring. -a
Bless papa, GEAR Jesus, and cause him
to see
That Santa Clause loves US far better
than he,
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie,
Amen" /
pleas Desus. let Santa Taus tum
down tonight
And bring us some presents before it
is light,
want he should dive me nice little sled
With bright shinin' runners, and all
painted yed: 7-t -asal
A box full of tandy, book and toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be dood
boy" -- @.a5 r &
Their prayers being ended; they raised
up their heads usa
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 their sleep. t.t.E@
Eight, nine: and the little French clock
had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of the
children again,
He seems now to hear Annie's half
suppressed signs
And see the big tears stand in Willie's
blue eyes, r.,-..i} Oh
81 was harsh with my darlings," he
mentally said
"And should not have sent them so
early to bed:
But then I was troubled-mv feeling
found vent,
For bank stock TODAY has gone dawn
ten per cent.
But of course they've FORGOT their
troubles ere this. -
And that denied them the thrice.asked
for kiss:
But lust to make sure. III steal I'm tn
their door.
For / never smoke harsh to nv darlinos
before 7fp0 f77f q nwnSl
So saving he softly ascepdad thu :sto;.s
And arrived at the door to hear both an
their nravers
His Annle,s ..bless nana',s drew vtorth
the bio tears. - - - -
And whites crave, nromise falls. swat
on his ears. S . q -
..Stranpe. strange I'd forootton,, SAID
no With q s;ob
sHow l lonped. when a child ia have
Cbristmas dra " n;oh =
"I,ll atone for nv bsrshness - n.
inwardlv said
"Bv answering their PRAYERS ere II