River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-12-21
UNCLE BEN MET JOYCE AT THE TRAIN.

such queer freaks it makes me almost
believe she does it for effect. And to
think she'll miss the Christmas party
at Jeans! l know she's invited, for
Jean told me So"
The two girls drifted off from the
subject of Joyce into talk of fancy work
for Christmas presents and gay cos
tunes for the approaching party.
Meanwhile in Joyce's pretty home
on the avenue Mrs. Baxter was holding
converse with her dark-eyed daugh-
ter. You're a queer little girl" she
was saying, Ito prefer spending the
holidays up at Aunt Isabel's when all
the other girls are so excited about
jeans party. It's to be a nice affair, |
know, because jeans mother has taken
counsel with me and there are to be
several pretty novelties besides the
regular good time. If / were you, dear,
I'd give up the idea of going to the
Promised Land and stay at home.''
But Joyce knew what she wanted,
and presently Mrs. Baxter, with a low
ing little pat on the shoulder, left her to
herself.
"I believe the child intends to GO up
into the Promised Land as a regular
Christmas fairy" she thought, smil-
ingly, as she descended the stairs. 'All
those mysterious little bundles in her
room mean something"
But later in the day Joyce slipped
her mothers wrap upon that lady's
shoulders, brought her hat and gloves
orJ r,o1a bar cO ONT with bar for n ia
tie shopping. And on the way she re-
vealed her plans.
I've made up my mind that there
shall be a Christmas tree in the Prom
ised Land this year." she began. 81
wrote to Aunt Isabel some time ago and
asked some questions. She's written
back hat the young folks in the Prom
Used Land have never had a Christmas
tree and if l want to go into it l may
nave her big front room and Uncle Ben
win see about the tree. So I've been
buying and making these little things,
you know, to put on it and now I'm
after candy to finish off with"
Mrs. Baxter looked aff~ectionateIy at
her daughter. You're a good girl,
Joyce" she said, softly, land mothers
proud Of YOU And then she opened
her own purse and purchased some
choice gifts for Aunt Isabel and Uncle
Ben. you can smuggle them onto the
tree without their knowing a thing
about it," she said. 81 declare, Joyce,
1 dc wish l was going to the Promised
Land, tool"
But you can't. you know" laughed
Joyce; there's the Christmas dinner
to be looked after and papa to take care
of. I'm the only one who can be
spared. But woL it be nice? I'll write
you all about it the very next day"
The Promised Land is the name given
20 q narrow valley which runs up
among the hills which form a spur of
the Allegheny mountains. 1t is an iso-
lated region, three miles from no.
where" as some of its inhabitants say,
but fruitful farms and comfortable
homes are scattered along its length on
either side of the struggling road
which forms its only street.
When Uncle Ben met Joyce at the
train down in the village he was some
what amazed 10 see that there wa a
trunk which he was expected to carry
too. But he asked no questions as he
eheerfully tugged it into the old sleigh.
Seems kind o queer she'd bring along
a trunk for just a few days he thought
TO himself, but mebby she's going TO
stay quite a spell" And as the old man
tucked the blankets in snug and warm
he found himself hoping that she
would.
on that familiar road which led up into
the Promised Land, and Joyce caught
fleeing glimpses of interested faces