The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-12-23
ANNE AND W1LLLEs PRAYER.

That they should retire precisely at seven,
Instead of at eight. for they troubled him
With their questions unheard of than ever be-
He had told them he thought this delusion a
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 pres
ents 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 tolled
Not word had been spoken by either till
When Whites sad face from the blanket did
And whispered: "Dear Annie, is you fast
aseepY
"why, no, brother wfllie,p sweet voice re-
1--WE tried it in vain, but 1 can't shut my
For somehow it makes me sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus.
Now we know that there is, and it can't be de-
MED,
For he came every year before mamma died.
But then I've been thinking that she used to
And God would hear everything mamma
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa
Claus here,
With the sacks full of presents he brought ev-
well, why tant we pay dest as mamma did
then,
And ask him to send us some presents adenT
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 Willie, you know we must firmly be-
lieve
That the presents we ask for we're sure to re-
You must wait just as still till / say the
Amen, By
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;
want wax Dolly, a tea-set and ring,
And beautiful work-box that shuts with
spring.
That Santa Claus loves us far better than he;
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
AT dear brother Willie and AnnIe-Amenr'
"Please, Desus, et Santa Claus tum down to
night
And bring us some presents before it is light
] want he would dive me nice little sled,
With bright shining runners and all painted
A box fun of tandy book and toy
Amen-and den, Desus, I'll be a dood boy"
Their prayers being ended they raised up
And with hearts, light and cheerful again
sought their beds
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful
and deep,
And with fairies in dream-land were roaming
in sleep.
Eight, nine, and the little French clock had
Ere the father had thought of his children
again.
He seems now to hear Annies half-sup-
pressed signs,
And to see the big tears stand in Wilie's blue
eyes.
:" Twas harsh with my darlings," he mentally
"And should not have sent them so early to
bed,
But then was troubled, my feelings found
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per
cent.
But, OF course, they've forgotten their trou-
bes ere this,
Aud that / denied them the thrice-asked-for
kiss.
But just to make sure I'll steal up to the
door.
For never spoke harsh to my darlings be-
fore
So saying, he softly assembled the stairs,
And arrived at the door, TO hear both of then
His Annles BLESS papa" draws forth the
big tears,
And Wlllies grave promise falls sweet on hi:
"strange! strange I'd forgotten" he said
with n sigh,
"How longed when a child to have Christ
mas draw Nigh
"rll atone for my harshness," he inwardly
said,
By answering their prayers ere sleep in my
bed;
Then he turned to the stair and softly wen
down,
Threw of velvetsippers and silk dressing
gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in tn,
street
A millionaire facing the cold. driving sleet.
Nor stopped he until he had bought every
thing,
From the box full O. candy to the tiny golt
ring.
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store
IA tnttrt "a
score
Then homeward he turned, with his holida,
load,
And with Aunt Marys help in the nurser
twas slowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree.
BY the side of a table spread out for her tea
A work-box we'll hlled in the center was laid
And on it the ring for which Annie ha
A soldier in uniform stood by a sled
With bright, shining runners, and all painte
There we're balls, dogs and horses, all pleasin
And birds of all colors were perched in tn
trees,
While Santa Claus laughing, stood up in tn
top,
As if getting ready more presents to drop,
And as the good father the picture surveyed
He thought for his trouble he had amply bee
paid,
And he SAID to himself as he brushed of
tear:
"rm happier tonight than I've been for
year.
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever b,
fore;
What care if bank stock falls ten per cen
morc2
Hereafter I'll make it rule, 1 believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christms
eve"
SO thinking, he softly extinguished the Ugh
And tripped downstairs 10 retire for th
night.
As soon as the beams Of the bright mornin
sun
Put the darkness TO eight, and the stars on
by one,