The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-12-22

sin,
No such a thing as "santa Claus" ever had
And he hoped. after this, he should never
more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with
presents each year.
And this is the reason why two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy
beds.
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple
tolled ten
Not word had been spoken by either till
When willie's sad face from the blanket did
peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie, is you fast
asleep"
"why, no; brother willie,' sweet voice
replies.
eve tried in vain, but 1 can't shut my
For somehow It makes me 80 sorry because
Dear papa had said there Is no Santa Claus;
Now we know there Is, and 1t can't be de-
nied
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 say,
And perhaps she asked him to send Santa
Claus here
With the sacks full OF presents he brought
every year"
"well, why tan't we pay dest as mamma
did then,
And asked Him 20 send him with presents
aden2"
'I've been thinking so, too" and without a
word more
Four bare 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-
That the presents we ask for we're sure to
receive.
You must wait just as still till say amen,
And by that you will know that your turn
has come then
D ear Jesus, look down on my brother and
me,
And grant us the favor we're asking Of
Thee:
want nice book full of pictures, a ring,
A writing desk, too, that shuts with a
spring.
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to
see
That Santa Claus loves US as much even
as he;
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, amenl"
"Please, Desus, 'et Santa Taus tome down
tonight,
And bring us some presents before IL is
light.
I want he should dive me bright little
| box,
Full Of ac'obats, some other nice blocks,
And bag full of tandy, book and toy
Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be dood 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 slumber-botl
! peaceful and deep,
And with fairies in dreamland were roam
ing in sleep.
Eight, nine and the little French clock had
struck ten
Ere the father had thought OF his children
again;
He seems now to hear Annie's hali-smoth
cred sighs,
And to see the big tears standing In Willie,
blue eyes.
T was harsh with my darlings," he men
tally said,
"And should not have sent them so earl.
to bed;
But when I was troubled-my feelings
found vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ter
| per cent.
But Of course they'd forgot their troubles
ere this,
But then denied them the thrice asked
for kiss;
But just to make sure I'll steal mp to thu
door,
For I never spoke harsh to my darhngs be
fore"
80 saying he softly assembled the stairs,
| And arriving at their door heard both o
their prayers.
His Annie's "bless papa" draws forth til,
big tears
And villis's grave promise falls sweet or
"strsns., strange. I've forgotten" said h'
"How Iioneed when child to have Christ
mas draw nigh.
III atone for ny harshnsss," hs inwsrdl,
said,
by snswsrias their prayer. ore I sleep in
ny bed"
TAsn he turned to th~ stairs a.d softly
Threw % velvet slippers .ea 'ila drsss'ns
De.asd has. coat .sa soo... and was OF
4 millionaire :seins the cold v. Natse s.eet;
He hrst went to wonderful "ssn " Cisas'
fore,)
S.aa there hs fosnd crowds on the "a <ac
errand ~ he,
Making psrchase OF presents, With g,a<
heart and free,
Nor stopped he until he bad bought srsry-
thtHg
From box fall Of candy 70 ti.y gold
ring.
iasssd, he kept sdding 20 mseh TO bis
Thst tho various presents outnsmbered
se0rei
Then homsward hs turned with his holiday
load,
Ana With Auat Mars ~id In ths nurssry
twas slowed.
Mis- Dolly vas seated beneath pine tree.
~ the side Of table spread out for tea;
= writing desk then N the centre was lid.