The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24
Annie and WiIlie,s Prayer.

There were tears on their pillows. and tears in
their eyes,
And each little bosom was heavy with signs
For tonight their stern fathers command had
been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead Of at eight; for they troubled him
With questions unheard Of than ever before.
He had told them he thought this delusion q
sin,
No such thing as Santa CLAUS ever had been,
And he hoped after this he should never more
hear
How ne scrambled down ehimneys with pres
ents 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 tolled
ton
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
ssleep2'
why, no, brother Willie, a sweet voice replies,
I've tried 1t in vaiE, but can't shut my eyes,
For, somehow, 1t makes me 80 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 Co
pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would
say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa
CLAUS here,
With the sack full of presents he brought
every year
We'll, 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 door,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny 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 re-
ceive-
You must wait Just as still till say amen,
And by that you will know that your turn has
come them
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 workbox, that shuts with a
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 Annie, Amenl'
Please, Jesus, let Santa Taus tum down TO-
night
And bring Us some presents before it is light:
want he should dive me q nice little sed,
With bright, shiny runners, and all painted
yed-
box full Of tandy, @ book and a toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, 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 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 thought of his children
again
He seemed now to hear Annies half-sup-
pressed sighs,
And to see the big tears stand in WiIlie's blue
eyes.
u was harsh to my darlings,' he mentally said,
'And should not have sent them 30 early to
bed
But then I was troubled-my feelings found
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
cent.
But Of course they've forgot their trouble ere
this,
And that I denied them the thrice-asked- for
kiss,
But just to make sure III steal up to their
door,
For never spoke harsh to my dar:ings before.
80 saying he softly ascended the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both Of their
prayers.
His Annie's bless papa draws forth the big
tears,
And willies grave promise falls sweet on his
ears.
Strange, strange, I'd forgotten, said he with
. sigh,
How longed, when q child. to have Christ
mas draw nigh,
III atone for my hardness he inwardIy said
by answering their prayers ere sleep in my
bed
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went
down,
Threw on velvet slippers and silk dressing
gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in the
street,
A 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 go much to his store.
That the various presents outnumbered a
SCORE
Then homeward he turned with his holiday
load,
And with Aunt Mary's aid in the nursery twas
slowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
By the side of table spread out for tea
work boz, well filed, in the center was laid,
And on it = ring. for which Annie had prayed
soldier In uniform stood by sled,
with bright, shining runners, and all painted
red
There were bells, dogs and horses, books pleas-
ing to see,
And birds of all oolors were perched in the
tree,
While Santa Claur, laughing, stood up in the
top,
As II getting ready more presents to drop
And ~ tho fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he'd been amply