The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-10-15
Published by request.I
Annie and WiIlia's Prayer.

A
.r,,.s tho owe before Christmas; "Gcod night l"
Ind Annie Ann and Willie had crept Into bed;
There were their pillows ana Tears 'h
Aud each little bosom was heavy with signs;
FOR to-niaht their stern fathers command hsa
rh,, NM, must retire precisely at seven
InStead IL eight; for they troubled him more
Win questions unheard of than ever before.
lie told them he thought tnis ue,"sno on III ,aou.
| And he hoped, after this, he should never ''o''
hear -, a.,,s
And ibis H. the reason why two little heads
| 80 rcstIessly tossed on their soft doWny Deus'
Eight nine. and the clock on the steepe uiieu ""
Nj !. word had been spoken by either I'LL tncni
When Wille's sad face from the biankel 'iI1 pecp
And whispered. Dear Annie, Is you iasd as,eTp
| :" Why no, brother Willie" sweet voice rephe''
| d" I've tried I'm vain but can't shut my eyes;
For somehow IL makes me so sorry Decause
| nc.r nana has said there Is no santa Claus
Now nee know there Is, ana II can w uc t,nI
For lac came every year before mamma uieu'
| But then I'm thinking that she iiseh to pray IA
| And t;od would hear everything mamma """''
And perhaps she asked God to send santa Claus
with the sack full of presents he brought every
Wei why tan't We pray dest as mamma did then
| And ask Him To send him with presents aden ~
| :. I've been thinking so too ana WITHOUT "or'
Four bare little feet bounded out on the floor,
| And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
Aud two tiny hands were ciaspcd close 10 e'c''
breast.
Now. Willie, you know we must firmly believe
! That The presents we ask for were sure To re-
Won must wait inst as still ill | say, Amen,
And by that You will know thai your turn has
come then.
Dear Jesus, look down ON my brother ana me-
| And grant rIs the favor we're asking OF Thee:
| 4 want a nice book full OF pictures, "A ring,
| A writing too, that shuts with spring;
| Bless ana. dear Jesus, and cause him 10 SEE
That santa Claus loves ls much rs even rs he;
Don't let him get fretf'Il and angry again
| AZ dear brother While and Annie; amen.
a." Please, Dcsus, ct Santa Taus tome down To-
| Aud bring us some presents before IL |, light;
| want he sould dive me bright little box.
| Full of lc'oblts aud some other nice blocks,
| And bag full of tandy. "A book, and toy,
Amen and then, Dcstls, III be a dO0d 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 sumbcr-both peaceful
| And with fairies Ia drcamland were roaming IN
sleep.
Eight, nine. and the little French clock had struck
| Ere the father had thought of Ills children again
| lie seemed now to hear AnnIc's half-smothcred
signs,
And Ia see the big tears stand In Wile'- blue eyes.
was harsh with my darlings." lac mentally said.
d" Ana should not have ,cnl them 81 early ~ bed;
| I,ut then | was trOullrd-my feelings found vent,
For blnk-~tock to-day has gone down ten per ccui.
u of course they've forgot their troubles ere this
But then denied them the thricc-askcd-for Kiss;
iui just Ia make sure III steal up 10 their door.
| For never spoke harsh Ia my darlings before
| - saving he softly assembled the sttir,,
| Arrived AT their door and heard both Of their
prayers.
| Ills Annies " Bless papa" draws forth The big
tears,
And Wliies grave promise falls sweet on his cars.
Slff.ft " nt a
sigh,
q" How I ongcd WHEN a child 10 have Christmas
IN atone for Iny harehnc>s.' ne inwardly sud,
"Ey answering thciI pray ers, ere ! sleep ia my
bed"
Then hc turned 10 the stairs and .ofty went down.
Threw oil velvet slippers ana six dressing gown,
DDnnod his hat. coat, and boots, AMI Out IN the
Street
\ millionaire facing the cold winter ,Iect
Tie irsi went to "A wonderful Santa Claus" store
Ie knew It. for he'd passed II the evening hefor,.
Ana there he found cr0tcaS On the same rrrtnd ~
he.
Making purchase Of presents, with glad heart and
free.
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything
From Il box full OF candy Ia Tiny gold ring.
Indeed he kept adding ~" much 10 hi, store
fhat thc yariuu, present, Outuumbercd "A score;
Then homcw,rd hc turned with hi, holiday load.
And with AUNT Mays aid In the nursery twas
slowed.
| Mi Dolly was seated beneath q pine tree.
Nv the side 81 q table plr1d uut for 4 tea:
\
And on II a ring lor which Annie had PRAYED;
-Four acrobal- painted im yellow and red
stood with hlock nous OH 4 hciuu al sled;
There were balls dogs, ana horses, books pleasing
Ia zee.
Aud birds Of ali color, were perchcd in the tree,
While santa ltlis laughing. stood no in the top.
\, IL getting ready more presents 10 drop:
And Is The fond father the picture surveyed,
tie thought for his trouble he had amply been
paid.
And ne said 10 himself rs he brushed or a tear
" I'm happier Tonight Than I've been for year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever before.
hat care If bank stock fall ten per cent more
Hereafter III make II a rule. believe,
To have Santa Claus visit H. each each Christmas
Eve
~ thinking, lac gently cNtinguished the light,
ANA irippcd down the stairs to retire for the
night.
A. soon As the beams Of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness To- hight. and the stars one by
one,
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened Wide.
And at the same moment the present, cspicd.
Then ont of their ieds HEY sprang with BOUND,
And the very gift PRAYED for were found
They laughed aud they cried ia their innocent
glcc,
Nnd shouted for papa to come quick and see
Whai presents old Santa laus had brought In the
CJnsi the things they had wanted) and left before
light.
And now" said Annie. In voice soft and low.
" UuIl believe there's i santa Claus. papa,
know"
While dear littlc While climbed mp on hi, knee,
I'tIhllhth u" st'Itt nclNttI Itm NH"HlH ne,
And told. In soft whispers, how Annie had said
That their dear. blessed mamma. 80 long ago dead.
Used 10 kuccl down and pray by the side of her
chair.
AND that God. up In Heaven. had answered her
prayer
&" Then We dot mp and prayed dest well We
tnuld,
And He answered our prayers; now, wasn't lie
dood?"
" should SAY that He WIS If lie sent YOU an these
And knew ju>t what presents my children would
please;
oven, well let him think 80, the dear little elf,
I'woull be cruel 10 tell him lid II myself'D
Blind father, who caused your stern heart 10 re-
lent?
And She hasty word spoken So soon 10 repent?
Twas the Being who babe you steal softly up
stairs,
And made you Ills agent 10 answer their prayers.
E.tchdage.