Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-24
ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.


For tonight their stern fathers command had
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead of eight; for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before:
He told them he thought this deluson n sin
No such being 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, DOWN. beds
Eight, nine and the clock on the steeple tolled
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 asleeps"
''Why no, brother Willie," sweet voice re-
plies,
S'I've tried in vain, but can't shut nv ewes:
For somehow, it makes me sorry because
Dear papa said there is no Santa CLAUSE
Now we know 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
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa Claus
here,
With the sacks full of presents he brought every
year."
We'll, why tan't we pay dest as mamma did
then.
And ask Him to send him with presents aden s''
i've been thinking SOL too, ''And without word
more
-Four little bare feet bounded onto the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two little hands were claped close to each
breast.
snow Willie, you know we must firmly be-
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re-
ceive,
You must wait just as still till 1 say Amen
And by that you will know that your turn has
come Them
dear Jesus, look down my brother and me-
And grant us the favor we are asking of thee.
want wax DOLL a tea chest, and ring,
And an ebony work box that shuts with a
spring;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and Cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us far better than be-
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie-Amen!'
please. Jesus, ct Santa Taus tum down to-
night,
And bring us some presents before it is light.
1 want he should dive me little sed,
With bright shiny runners, and all painted yed;
A box full of candy, book and toy,
Amen, and den Desus, I'll be good boys
Their prayers being ended they raised up their
heads.
And with hearts light and cheerful again sought
their beds.
And were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful
and deep,
And with FAIRIES in Dreamland vera roaming
In sleep.
Eight, nine, land the little French clock had struck
ten
Ere the father had thought of his children
again;
He seems now to hear Annie's half suppressed
signs,
And see the hip tears stand in W;ll;o,e b1uo
81 was harsh with the darlings,'' he mentally
said,
''And should not have sent them SO early to
bed;
But then l was troubled; my feelings found
vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
But of course they've forgot their troubles ere
this,
And that denied them the thrice asked for kiss:
But, just to make sure, I'll steal up to their
door,
For l 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,
And Annie's ''bless papa" draws forth the big
tears,
And Willie's grave promise falls sweet on his
Strange. strange, I'd forgot said he, with
sigh
elbow l louged, when a child, to have Christ
draw nigh,
I'll atone for my harshness,'' he inwardly said
by answering their prayers ere 1 sleep in
my bed.''
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went
down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing
Doomed hat coat and boots and was out in the
street,
A millionaire, facing the cold, driving sleet,
From the box 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 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 box well filled 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.''
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree;
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood at the top,
AS II getting ready more presents to drop,
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been
paid;
Anu he SalQ 10 himself as ne DruSQ0U OIL u tear,
''I'm happier tonight than l have been for
year,
I've enjoyed moretrue.pleasure than versbefore,
What l if bank stocks fall ten per cent.
more?
Hereafter, I'll make it rule, believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas
Eve"
So thinking, he gently extinguished the light,
And 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 a
bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were every one
found.
They laughed and they cried in their innocent
glee,
And shouted for ''papa'' to come quick and see,
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the
night,
(Just the things that they wanted) and left be-
fore light.
"And now,'' added Annie, in a voice soft and
low,
''You'n believe me, there's Santa Claus,
papa, know
While dear little Willie, climbed up on his
knee,