The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-12-26
POetical.
Merry Christmas
ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.

ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.
| Twas the eve before Christmas "Good night" had
been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There tears on their pillows and teers In their
| eyes,
| And each little bosom was heavy with sighs-
For tonight their stern fathers command had been
given.
That they should retire precisely at seven,
| instead OF eight for they troubled him more
With questions anheard OF than ever before;
| 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 chimney with presents each
| year. ..
| And this was the reason that two little heads
so reslesslessly tossed their soft, downy beds.
Eight nine and the clock on the steeple toed ten
Not word had been spoken by either till then.
When whites sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, '"Dear Annie, is you fast fast
| aseep?"
| "Why no brother Wnle.' sweet voice replies
1--WE tried It in vain, but can't shut my ewes;
| For, somehow, 1t makes me so sorry because
Dear papa has said.there is no santa Claus =
Now we know that there is, and It can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma 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 sacks full of presents he brought every
year;
''we, why tant We pay dest as mamma did then,
And ask Him to send him with presents aden ?"
| GIVE hppn THINKING AM
-Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to eacf
| breast.
"Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for surely to receive
| You must wait just as still tn say the Amen
And by that you will know that your turn has com,
| then"
"Dear 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 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 Anna, Amen |"
| "Please, Desus, 'et Santa Taus tnm down tonight
And bing us some pesents before It is light,
want he should dive me a nice little sed,
With bright, shiny runners and all painted yed
A box full Of tandy, book and a toy.
Amen, and then Desus III be a dood boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised up thei
heads,
| And with hearts icbt ond cbeer,u, oco,r sor.,n
| their heds,
They were soon lost in slumber both peaceful an,
deep
And with fairies In Dreamland were roaming 1,
Sleep
| r,cbt n,ne and tbautt,a Franc, ,,oo,, ,o, s,.,,,
| ton
II nio 'ne ia.her hau 'houshtoi MS cniidren again
Ana ~ soa tno w.. a., r,,,,il. s,sli
at os hors, ,t, M, ,a,,r :, ~,
..nd shora not no,,o so,,, -, ~ 80 saw
d., ,,,o .-a,,,,.s -, so 80 " oeu
NO. nan, 60, -, ao, no. .n,,,
prt ~ oo,rsa t,a,,,ro ,oro, a., ,o,,s,. - ~ 49,,
us ~, aon,oS 80, e., 80 ~ o.o ..,o
r,,. ,,,.. 90 - -, IN, -. - =. -, - -
For never smoke harsh to mt darI,nps be,oren -
So saving. he softly ascended the stairs.
And arrived at the door to hear both Of fther nraver
His Annie's "bless papa draws forth the bip tears
And willie's grave promise falls sweet ON his ear
"Strange. strange I'd forgotten said he win
sigh,"
uo,, ,,oos ,,,, -,..
l
TN atone ior my har'hness'' ne hwardiy SAT-
by answering their prayers ere sieep IN my ped
lnen ne turned 10 tne STAIRS ana soitly went dowl
lhe" VI 'eNe1 shppers anu SILK uressing-go"h-
Donheu nat ceat ana poots' ana was OUT In III
suee1
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 cut numbered score,
Then homeward he turned with his holiday load.
And with Aunt Marys aid in the nursery tw,
slowed
Miss dolly was seated beneath pine tree
By the side OF table spread out for her tea
work-box well ill. d In the centre was laid,
And on 1t the ring, for which Annie had prayed.
| A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
"Wth bright shining runners and all painted red
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing
see,
| And birts OF all colors were perched in the tree
While Santa Claus laughing stood up I'm the ton
| AS ~ getting ready more presents tn dron
And as the fond father the picture surveyed
He thought for his tIpuble he had amply been pal
And he said 10 himselr' as he prushed OH a tear,
III happiei oo-n's,o .ia, 'e oeen '' ioi 'ei'
i've enjoyed more True pleasure 'hah ever oeioi
Mha' care II oahk SUCK ie'is zen per oen' ihofe
Hereaf'er III make II rue pelieve,
10 nave oah.a oiaus '''i. us oa1h IN i',,as h'e'
30 thinking, ne seh's eA.ns ~ uiAhea que 'snv :,
puttne DARKNESS 70 'ght' anu .he stars, one oy Oh
$ And at the same moment the presents espied,