Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-22
ANNIE AND WILLIEs PRAYER


For tonight their stern fathers command nan
That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead of ut eight, for they troubled him
With their questions unhcard Of than ever be-
fore.
lie had told them no thought this delusion
No such being as Santa Claus ever had been,
And he hoped after this he snouid never more
How he scrambled down chlmneys with pres
And this was the r-ason that two little heads
SO restlessly tossed on their soft downy beds
Eight. nine, and the clock on the steople tolled
Not a word had been spoken by either till
when wiIlIe's sad face from the blanket did
peep
And whsperod' "Dear Annie, is you fast
"why mo, brother wGnc." sweet voice re-
plies,
I've tried II in vain, but can smut my
For somehow II makes me sorry because
Deur papa has said there Il no Santa Claus.
Now we know that there Is, and II can't be de-
For n came every year before mamma died.
But then I've been thinking that she used to
And God would hear everything mamma
would say.
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa
Claus here,
With the sacks fun of presents he brought ev-
"well, why tant we pay dest as mamma did
then.
And usk him TO send US some presents aden2'
i've been thinking so, too" and without a
-Four little feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close TO each
breast.
"Now, while, 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 say the
And by that you will know that your turn has
come then.
Dear Jesus look down ON INV brother and me
And grant US the favor we're asking of Thee;
want "A wax Dolly, tea-sct aud ring,
And beautiful work-box that shuts with n
Bless Papa dear Jesus, and cause him to SEQ
That santa Claus loves us far better than he;
Don't let him yet frctful and angry again
AZ dear brother Willie and Annic-AmenT'
"Please, Dosus, ct Santa Claus tum down to-
And bring IA some presents before IL is light;
! want he would dive me n nice little sled,
with bright shining runners and all painted
A box full Of tandy. book and a toy
Amon-and den, Desus, I'll be "A doOd boy"
Their prayers being ended they raised up
thoir heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful again
ught their beds.
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful
und deep.
And with fairies In drcam-land were roaming
In sleep.
Eight nine and tho little French clock had
Ere tho father had thought of his children
again.
He seems now to hear AnnIe's half-sup-
And To- see tho Dig tears stand in willie's blue
eyes.
81 was harsh with my darlings," he mentally
said,
And should not have sent them so early to
But then I was troubled, my feelings found
vent,
For bank stock to-day hns gone down ten per
but, of course, they've forgotten their trou-
blcs ere this,
And that denied them the thrice-asled-fo
But Just to make sure I'll steal up to the
For never spoke harsh 10 my dnrlinvs no
fore.
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs.
Anu arrived AT the door, To hear both of their
His Annics Bless papa" draws forth the
big tears,
And wlIies grave promise falls sweet ON his
STRANGE stransei I'd forgotten he said,
How longed when child to have Christ
mas draw nigh
"rll atone for my harshness," he inwardly
by answering their prayers ere 1 sleep in my
bod:
Then he turned to the stair and softly went
Threw OF velvot-slppers and silk dressing
Doomed hat, coat and boots, and was out in the
4 millionaire facing the cold driving sleot.
NOT stopped ho until he had bought every
thing,
From tue box full o. candy TO the tinv GOLD
ring.
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his STORE
INIT tne various presents outnumbered a
Then homeward he turned. with his holiday
load,
And with Aunt Mary's help I'm the nursery
twas slowed.
Miss Dolly wa seated beneath pine tree.
liy the SIDE OF u table spread out for her ten
\ work-box well filled in tho center was laid
Anu ON " the ring for which Annie had
a soldier in uniform stood by a sled
WIN bright shining runners, aud all painted
There wers balls, dogs and horses, all pleasing
And birds of all coIors were 'perchcd I'm the
While Sgnn Claus laughing, stood up in the
As u getting ready more prcscuts 10 drop.
nnu Us the good father the PICTURE surveyed.
nS,d iO' ms uOuois ne had amply been
And he sad to himself. us he brushed OF a
I'm happier tonight than rye been for a
year. = :
I've enjoyed moro true pleasure than ever be-
fore: ~ '-7'- -
What Ssro if bank stock fans ten per cent.
mork ~ Ia M N -
Hereafter III make Il a rule. believe.
10 nave santa Claus visit uJ each Christmas
eve" =
so thinking, he softly extinguished the vSgit
Ana Tripod downstairs To retire for the
night US r'A tE.--F
sun
Put the darkness to flight aud the stars one
-Four ftiic blue eyes out Of sleep opened
And at the same.noment tho presents csu,ed
Then out OF their beds they 4pan9 with a
And the very gifts prayed forwerc ali Of them
They laughed ana they cried IN the.r Innocent
glcc, - II
And shouted for papa o. come quick and sec
night
Just the things that they wanted-and left be-
And now added Annie, in a voice soft and
You'll believe there's Santa Claus. papa, I
know F~FN7
While dear little While climbed ND on his
knee, r. Nf p III ut -