Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-12-25
CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY SOPHIA p. SNOW.


And annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on tfer pillows, and tears in theil
And each little bosom was heavy with sighs,
For ishr their stern fathers command had beer
given
That they must retire precisely at seven
Instead of eight? tor they troubled him more
Wth question : unheard of than ever eore.
He told them he though this delu-iOn sin,
No such thing as Santa Claus" ever had been
And he hoped after this he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each
Aud this is the reason why two little heads
SO restessly tossed on their soft, dOwny beds.
Eight nne and the clock on the steeple tolled ten
Not word had been spoken by either till then;
When Willics sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, Dear Annie, is you fast aseep?'
why no, brother Willie sweet voice replies,
i've tried in vain. but can shut my eyes;
+, r somehow it makes me sorry because
Dear papa has SAID here is no Santa Caus;'
Now are know there is, and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died;
Bnt then I've been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would here everything mamma would say.
And perhaos she asked him to send Santa Claus here
With the sacks ful of presents he brought every year.
'Wel 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 bare little feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands We're claspeo close to each breast
Now, Willie You know we must firmly believe
That the presents ask for we're sure to receive,
You must walt Just aS Still I'LL L say amen,
And by that you will know that your turn has come
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we're asking or thee;
want nice book full of pictures a ring,
writing desk, too, that shuts with sp'ing.
Bl s. p pa, dear Jesus, and cau-e him TO see
That SAM Claus loves us as much even as he
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
AT dear brother Willie and Annie amen"
"Plea-e, Deaus, ct Santa Taus tome down tonight,
Aud bring some presents before 1t ls light
| want he sOuld dive me bright Alttle DO&,
Full OF ac' 'obats, some other nice blocks.
And bag tull IF tandy, book, and a toy
Amen AID then, Desus I'll be dood boy"
Their prayers beng ended they raised up their heads
And with hearts light and cheerful again sought their
beds;
They soon lost in slEmbcr-both peaceful ana
deep,
And with fairies in dreamland roaming in sleep
Eight nine and the little French clock had struck ten
Ere the father had thought of his children again;
He seems to hear Annies halt smOthered signs,
And to see the big sta ding in W1es blue eyes,
II va harsh with my darl;hgs he mentally said,
And should not have sent them SO cary fud 10 oea e+
For bank stock TODAY has gone down ten per cent.
But of cour-e the We forgot their troubles ere this,
But then denied them the thrice asked-for kiss;
But nut to make sure Eli steal up to their door,
For ne, er spoke harsh to my darlings before"
h s4t ter dooe heard s boih Of their nravers
His Annc's ''bess papa d. ave forth the big tears
ana Mlles grave promise Ialls sweet on his ears
strange, strange, I've forgotten, raid he with sigh
HOW ionged when child to have Christmas draw
nigh
III atone for my harshness, he nwardy said
by answering their prayers ere sleep in my bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down.
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned t. coat and boots. and was out the street
millionaire facing the cold winter seet;
He first went to wonderful Santa Claus" store
(lle knew il for he'd pas ed it the day betore)
And there he found crouds on the same errand as he
Making purchase of presents with glad heart and free
Nor stopped he until he had bought e eserythlng
q boy I'm of q A gold
indeed, he kept adding 80 much to his store
That the various presents outnumbered q score!
Then hOmewaru he turned with his holiday load
And with Aunt Marys aid in the nursery twas slowed
Miss Dolly was seated beneath pine tree,
by the siue ot a table spread out for tea;
A writing desk then in the center was laid,
and on it ring for which Annie had prayed;
foui acrobas painted in yellow and red
stood with a block house on u beautiful sled;
There were balls, dogs and horses books pleasing to
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top
As geting,ready for more presents to drop;
And IA the fond father the picture rveyed
lie thought for his trouble he had amply been paid;
And he eaid to himself as he brushed off a tear,
II m happier to night than I've been for year
ive enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before
What care if bank stock falls ten per cent more?
hereafter ] make it a rule believe,
10 have Santa Claus" visit US each Christmas eve"
SO thinking he gently extinguishel the light,
AND trpped down stairs to retire for the night.
Az Az soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to fight and the stars one by one,
tour nte blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
Ana ana az lhe same moment the presents espied.
men @ out OUT OF their beds the sprang with bound.
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them found
ihsy laughed and they cried in their innocent gee,
Ana Alna shouted for papa to come quick and see
night !
ust the things they had wanted and left before light
.An "And now" said Annie, in voice soft and low,
u1t? nonl believe there's Santa Cuus papa know"
me,ns ME dear little Willie climbed up on hs knee
hnS hnSs,mlnfd ,nfd no secret between them should be-
Th, u iolo u IN soft whispers how Annie had said,
asd aa5 aer IN dear, blessed mamma, 40 long ago dead
TO knee down and pray by the aide of her chair
N 'n0' aod up in heaven, had answered her prayer!