Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-24

'Ou must wait Just Us still till l say amen,
nd by that you viii know that your turn has
lear JESUS, look down on my brother and me,
nd grant us the favor we're asking Of thee: 4
want W1's, 4 nice Ssss eo soo ia shs sf . Risss with !. . r spF;ng. I
Hess papa. dear Jesus. and cause him to see /.
hat Santa Claus loves us rs much even as he; :
ia DEAF ri b aadt sr; Willie and ia ANNIE aiss%
Desus, 'et Santa Taus tome down to- {
night, |,
want he sould dive me q bright little box,
OF ac'Obats. some other nice blocks.
md a bag full Of tandy, a book. and y toy.
their prayers being ended, they raised up their
Ind win hearts light and cheerful again sought
They were soon lost in slumber-both peaceful
And y With ie fairies in dreamland were roaming in
eleep.
Eight. nine. and the little French clock had
Ere the father had thought of his children
seems now to hear Annie's half-smothered
And TO see the big tears standing in willie's
II was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
And Should not have sent them so early to bed
But when 1 was troubled-mY feelings found
vent,
For bank stock to-day has goneHdown ten per
cent.
But q course they've forgot their troubles ere
this,
But then I denied them the thrice asked for
But justto make sure IN steal up to their door;
So saying he softly assembled the stairs,
HIS Annie's 'bless papa" draws forth the big
And Whites grave promise falls sweet on his
strange, ! sIsi. strange I've forgotten = said he with
How iionged when a child to have Christmas
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
By answering ms their prayers, ere sleep in my
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots. and was out in the
A millionaire facing the cold winter sleet;
He first went to a wonderful Santa Claus"
(He knew it, for he'd passed it the day befo:e.l,
And there he found crowds on the same errand
Making purchase of presents, with glad heart
and free
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything
From q box fun Of candy to a tiny gold ring.
That the various presents outnumbered a
Then homeward he turned with his holiday
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine .see.
A writing desk then in the centre was laid.
And on it a ring for which Annie had prayed
Four acrobats painted in yellow and red
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleas
Aud Birds OF all co!o,s were perched in the
Whites Tee Santa Claus, laughing, stood IN in tn.
if Getting ready for more presents to drop
as the fond father the picture surveyed
thought for his trouble he had amply been
And he said to himself as he brushed off a
Pm happier tonight than 1 have been for a
Eve enjoyed more true pleasure than ever be-
What care I if bank stock fall ten per cent.
Hereafter I'll make it q rule, I believe,
10 have Santa claus visit us each Christmas
thinking he gently extinguished the light,
And tripped down stairs to retire for the night.
And soon as the beams Of the bright morning
Put the darkness to fight and the stars one by
one.
little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
EIhN Wv SAS otbAnS Jill Nv kAlS o. TAX
Then out of their beds they sprang with a
And the very gifts prayed for were all OF them
laughed and they cried in their innocent
And Shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus had brought in
just the Things they had wanted) aid left be-
fore light.
And now" said Annie. in a voice soft and
'Youil' believe there's Santa Claus. papa,
When dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
told in soft whispers. how Annie had said,
That their dear, blessed mamma, SO long ago
Used 70 kneel down and pray by the side of her
that God. up in heaven. had answered
their prayer!
Then we dot up and prayed dust as we'll as we
tOuld,
pa q answered our prayers now wasn't he
I should say that he was II lie sent you all
knew Just what presents my children
would please
Well, well, let linn think so. the dear little elf,
Twould be cruel to tell him l did 1t myself)"
father who caused your stern heart to
IND the hasty word spoken so soon to repent9
Twas the Being who babe you steal softly up
stairs.
Ind a you his agent to answer their pray
ers.