Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-25
ANNIE AND WILLIEBrRAYER.

Twas the eve before Christmas; Good night had
been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
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 more
With questions unheard of than ever before.
He had told them he thought this delusion 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 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 tolls ten
Not q word had been spoken by either till then,
When Wilie's sad face from the blanket did
peep,
And whispered: Dear Annie, is you fast asleep!''
''Why, no. brother Willie,' sweet voice replies,
81 have tried it in vain, but can't shut my eyes;
For somehow, it makes me so sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus
Now We know there is. and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died;
And God would hear everything mamma would
say.
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa Claus
With the sacks full of presents he brought every
year"
well, why tan't we pay dest as mamma did then,
And ask God TO send him with presents aden:"
'Ive been thinking so, too.' And without word
more.
-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 each
breast
snow, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents ask for we're sure to receive;
You must wait just as still till 1 say the Amen,
And by that You will know that your turn has come
then:
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant Us the favor we're asking of Thee;
Iwant wax doll, tea-set and ring,
And an ebony box that shuts with spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to gee
That Santa Claus loves US far better than he;
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, Amen
''Please Desus, 'et Santa Taus tum down tonight,
And bring US some presents before it is light
want he should dive nice little sed,
With bright shiny runners, and all painted yed;
a box full of tandy, a book and 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
Ere the father had thought of his children again.
He seems now to hear Annie's half suppressed
signs,
To see the big tears stand in Willies blue eyes.
81 was harsh with my darings," he mentally said,
II should not have sent them so early to bed;
But then, was troubled-my feelings found vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per cent.
But of course they've forgotten their troubles ere
this,
That denied them the thrce-asked-for kiss;
But just make sure I'll steal up to their door,
For never spoke harsh to my darlings BEFORE
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of their
prayers.
The daughters ''bless papa" draws forth the big
tears;
Little Wilie's grave promise falls sweet on his
ears.
"Strange, strange, I'd forgotten" he said with a
sigh.
''That 1 longed when alchild to have Christmas
draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
SPY answering their prayers 1 sleep in my
bed"
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
eli sirU-
Donned hat coat and boots, and was out in the
streets,
A millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything,
From the boy full of candy TO the tiny gold ring;
Indeed. he kept adding so much to his store
That the various presents outnumbered a score;
Then homcward he turned with his holiday load,
With Aunt Mary's help in the nursery twas
slowed:
Miss Dolly was seated beneath q pine tree.
BY the side of a table spread out for her tea;
woYk-bOx well filed in the center was laid,
And on It the ring for which Annie had prayed.
A soldier in uniform stood by sled,
"With bright shining runners, and all painted
red
Birds of all colors were perched in the tree.
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top
Just as if getting ready more presents to drop;
And as ;e fond father the picture surveyed
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid
Then he said to himself as he brushed off a tear:
Il am happier tonight than I've been for year;
I've enjoyed more true happiness than ever before
What care if bank stock fails ten per cent. more
Hereafter Will make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve"
So thinking, he gently extinguished the light
Then tripped down the stairs to retire for the
night.
AS soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars. one by
one.
-Four little blue eyes out Of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied.
Then out of their beds they sprang with bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them
found.
They laughed and they cried in their innocent glee.
Taen shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the
night,
Dust the things which they wanted) and left be-
fore light.
$50 now added Annie, in voice soft and low,
"YouIl believe there's Santa Claus. papa, ]
know
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between them shonld be,
And told in soft whispers, how Annie had said
That their dear blessed mother, so long ago dead
Used to kneel down and pray by the side of her
chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered hel