Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

my dreams! l see the roaring line of
| flame and smoke rushing like 10000
demons over the prairie. l see it reach
the claim. hear Harry crying to get
to the dugOut, where you had hurried
us and the few things we could save. |
see you dash back into the burning
house, but l cannot see you as | did
that night, rushing back again, hold
ing our boy high up above the flames
that darted at you like red-hot, Kissing
snakes! My dream leaves you with that
awful surge of fire between us, and l
gasp with the horror of it until you
wake me to find we are still together.
Waking, know you are safe and get
ting over those frightful burns. II l
could only forget that night l might
Christmas eve or Christmas day would
only take away that horrible dream it
would be Christmas enough for me-"
Merrily pealed the new church bell
by the grove in which the prairie voy-
ayers had halted for the night. Every
window and the open doors sending
rays of cheerful light into the sur
rounding gloom serves to guide fast
gathering throng of young and old to
Sunday-school celebration of Christ
mas eve. Watching with longing eyes
this unwOnted spectacle, two children
crept hand in hand toward the church,
and as the music of a sweet Christmas
anthem floated out into the night it
drew them irresistibly to see for them
selves the wonders that were within. |
Two wistful, childish faces, peering
with wide-eyed establishment at the |
wonderfully lighted tree, bearing such |
tot offp
tention OF kind-hearted observers. A |
children-parentsl lost most everything |
in the great Ford County prairie fire
travelling overland back to Iowa-no |
Christmas for them-Santa Claus only |
went to houses that had chimneys to |
go down.
A sudden wave OF sympathy swept |
over the room. Here were unexpect. |
ed visitors from the great expanse, lit
tie ones who expected no Santa Claus,
whose parents could give them no
Christmas. In his name welcome and
send them on their way rejoicing.
consultations wore held. A
young voice said: Give Them my pres
ent." Give them mine, land mine"
followed, until it seemed that giving
was indeed more blessed than receive
ing. Presents shOwered from the
tree. The choir broke out
in another anthem of praise, and the
parents. beginning to feel alarmed at
the unexpected length of absence, met
their children coming from the church
with boy Juggling a basket of gifts
for them and bringing the message
direct from Santa Claus himself, whom
the children had seen in white fur and
. long white beard, Merry Christmas
TO the family in the prairie schooner"
Christmas Day! The interminable
stretch of earth and sky, OF half-white
heritage, OF road without beginning or
ending, of the tireless wind, of distance
everywhere. On the Western horizon
the failed hOusetops of a receding town.
Again the canvas-covered craft Creep
ng onward toward the Eastern hori-
ION. Behind the seat the happy chat
-er OF childish voices over undreamed-
Of treasures. In front, snuggled to-
,ether like pair of lovers beginning
heir first journey, the husband and
wife smiled encouragement at each
)ther and the passing wind caught the
words:
Robert, / missed my dream last
hight. The good Santa Claus who sent
he children back with so many beauti-
ul presents took away the horror of
he prairie fire so that feel its spell is
broken. How kind the people were to
strangers they never saw before. Oh,
Robert, this is Christmas Day for us
Ifter all? The sun shines brighter
han yesterday. It's the happiest day
have seen in months. l wish you a
Merry Christmas, Robert" and she
'aused for his reply.