The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-12-25
Christmas-Annie and whites
Prnyer.

AtlAN AAuoN lNAAAN ~ NNNEh
Instead OF eight; for they troubled him
more
With questions unheard OF than ever be-
fore.
He had told them he thought this delusion
sin,
No such being as Santa Claus" ever had
been,
And he hoped after this he should never
more 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 b
Not word had been spoken by either till
then;
When Willie's sad face from the blanket
did peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie, is you fast
aslccp?"
"Why, no, brother Willie," a sweet voice
replies, -,
"I've tried it in vain, but can't shut my
For somehow, it makes me so sorry be-
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus;
Now We know there is, and it can't be de-
For he came every year before mamma
But then, I've been thinking that she used
to pray, j. s
And God would hear everything mamma
would say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa
Claus here,
With the sacks full ofpresents he brought
every year."
"Well, why tant we pay dest as mamma
did then,
And ask him to send him with presents
aden"
"I've been thinking so, too" and without
a word more,
Four little bare feet bounded out on the
floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet press
ed,
And two tinpy hands were clasped close to
each breast
"Now, 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 say amen,
And by that you will know that your turn
has come then" ~
gDear. Jesus, look down on my brother and
stniGs z.i-. az. ~ i1..-s.I, -, /.
.SAd.giaiil sis.,Ae iasor aefe askiss otl
.- Thee, =.
want wax dolly, 1, tea-set and ring,
And an ebony mork-bOx that shuts with a
: spring;
Bless papa-dear Jesus, and cause him to
That Santa Claus loves us fur better than
he,
Don't let him get fretful and angry again,
At dear brother Willie and Annie, amenl"
"Please Dcsus ct Santa Taus tun down to-
night,
And bring us some presents before 1t is
light
| want he should dive me nice little sed,
With bright, shiny runners, and all paint
cd yed;
A box iull OF candy, book and toy,
Amen, and then, Dcsus, 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 sumber-both
peaceful and deep,
And with fairies in dreamand were roam
ing 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 suppressed
sighs, ~
And to see the big tears stand in Willies
blue eyes.
a was harsh with my darlings," he men
tally said,
"And should not have sent them so early
to bed;
But then 1 was troubled-my feelings
found vent,
For bank-stock to-day had gone down ten
But Of course they've forgot their troubles
ere this, j.,
And then denied them the thrice asked
for kiss,
But Just to make sure I'll steal up to their
door,
For / never spoke harsh to my darlings
before"
So saving, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arriving at the door heard both OF
their prayers.
His Annie's "bless papa" draws forth the
big tears,
And Willie's grave promise falls sweet on
his ears, =,
"Stmngo, strange I'd forgotten them, said
he with a sigh,
How longed when child to have Christ
mas draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harshncss, he inwardly
said,
BY answering their prayers ere sleep in
my bed. -,
Then he turned to the stairs and softly
went down,
Threw of velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown;
Donned hat, coat and boots, aud was out in
the street
A millionaire forcing the cold, driving slect,
Nor stopped he until he had bought every
thing, .,
From the box full OF candy to the tiny gold
ring. 81,
Indeed, he kept adding 80 much to his
That the various presents outnumberCd a
Then homeward he turned with his holi'
day load, =, -, .....,..,.