Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
CHaIsTyiAs-EFE.
Not n New Poem, But Good one
for the Coming season.

By Mrs. Sophia p. snow)
Twas the night 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 would retire precisely at seven
Instead Of at eight; Tor they troubled him
with questions unheard Of than ever be-
fore:
He had told them he thought this delusiou
a sin;
No such being as Santa Claus" ever had
beea.
And he hoped after this he should never
more hear
How he scrambled down cnimneys 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
tolled ten;
Not a word had been spoken by either
till then.
When Wilie's sad face from the blanket
And Whispered. Dear Annie, is you fast
asleep"
"Thy. no. Brother Willie" a sweet voice
! 1--WE tried it in vain, but l can't smut
! my eyes;
For. somehow. It makes NE 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.
But then. I've been thinking that she
used 10 pray,
And God would hear everything mamma
would say;
And, perhaps, she asked him 10 henu
Santa Claus here.
| with the saclkful OF presents he Wought
every year
.well. why tan't we pay dest as mamma
| did then.
| And ask Him TO send him with presents
"I,ve been thinking so, too" And with
out word more
Four little feet bounded out on the floor,
! And four little knees the soft carpet
| pressed. a..
And TWO tiny hands were clasped close 70
| each breast.
Now. Willie, you know we must hrnhiy
| believe
That the presents we ask for were sure
! TO receive;
Won rnust wait lust IS till till say the
! Amen,
And nv that YOU will know that your
turn has come them
"Daar Jesus, look down on my brother
and ne.
And grant US the faVor we arc aSN'ns "a
/ Thee;
v,ant n wax doll. a tea-set. and ring.
/ And an ebony work-box that SHUTS WIN
RIess papa' dear Jesus. and cause him
That santa Claus loves us far better
than he.
Don,t let him get fretful and angry again
A. dear BROTHER Willie and Annie. Amen
"pleas Desus. ct Santa Taus tum down
tonight
And bring US some present before II Il
light.
want he sold dive me a nice little sed.
| With bright, shiRin' runners. and all
painted yed;
hor fuII Of tandy. a book. and a toy.
Amen: and then, Desus, I'll be a 1000
boy"
Their prayers being ended, they raised
up their heads.
| And with hearts light and cheerful again
sought their beds;
Tbav we're soon lost TO slumber, Dott
peaceful and deep,
And with fairies, in Dreamland, were
roaming in sleep.
Eight nine. and the little French CLOCK
had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought OF his Grill
dren again,
He seemed now 10 near Aniio
pressed signs.
And TO see the big tears s'anu III "N'~
blue eyes.
81 was harsh with my darllngs." he men
tally said.
"And should not have sent them so early
TO bed: -.
But. then, | was troubled-ny teenns
found vent. :.
For bank stock to-day has gone down II
per cent;
put OF course, they've forgot theii
troubles ere this.
And that denied them the thrice-asked
for kiss;
E,t lust to make sure. I'll steal up u
their door.
For never spoke harshly to lay dariing'
before
ca saving. he softly ascended the stairs.
And arrived at the eoor u h'"' W."
their prayers.
His Annie's "pless papa u'""' 'N'
big tears
And Whites grave promise falls sweets
on his ears.
strange, strange I'd forgotten said ne
with sigh,
"How | longed. when child. TO hav
Christmas draw nigh.
ri atone for my harshness," he inwardi
said.
by answering their prayers ere slice
In my bed