Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1903-12-05
The Christmas of
Minnie and James.
BY Vera Pace, a Fifth Grade Student
OF the Cedar District School.

Minnie aud James hnoner lived In
a lovely home. Christmas was COM
ing and they we're very happy, for
they knew they would get many pre-
sents. Christmas eve they hung up
their stookinos. "I want gold ring,
doll, pair of roller skates, doll
buggy, a little set of dishes, story
book, and candy and nuts" said
Minnie. 81 want pair Of star skates,
a sled, toy train that will run when
we wind it up, an automobile, story
book, and candy and nuts" James
said. 81 hope we get all those things"
said Minnie. $50 do 1" was the
reply. They kissed their parents and
went to bed. don't know what was
the matter but they could not go to
sleep. After while they heard some
one open the door. 81 wonder il that
is Santa Claus!" they both said in
one breath. LET us go and see, :"
said James. So they carefully orept
out of bed and over to the door.
They stopped and peeped through the
crack at the bottom of the door. Sure
enough there was Sc. Nick himself.
They ran back to bed aud covered up
their heads and soon were fast asleep.
In the morning they could hardly
wait for daylight to come so they
could see what their stockings held.
g o'clock found them up and dressed
and soon they were unloading their
we'll filled stockings. "Look what
beautiful ring and my doll, aren't
they lovelys o, how wonderful,
don't You think so JamesH" happy
little Minnie cried. Eyes, yes,"
said James, land aren't my things
nicer 1 can't think of anything more
l want" They were very happy and
the day was one long delight. just
as they we're finishing their grand
Christmas luncheon there came
timid knock at the door. James ran
TO answer the door. A poor little
ragged girl stood there. mamma is
very sick'' she said, "My papa died
about year ago and now 1t seems as
stf mamma Is going to die too, and l
Thought maybe you would help me. I"
rOf course we will help you," said
.Mrs. Rhoner. But they reached there
just In time to see the mother dying.
J. The poor little girls grief was
Fpitiful to see. After the funeral Mrs.
Rhoner aeked the little girl If she
would like to live with them. She
almost went into Mysteries at the
Ithought of it and chung to Mrs. Rhoner
like baby. So Lillian, as she said
her name was, went over to live in
their lovely home with Minnie and
James. They gave Lillian many nice
Ppresents among which we're a pair of
Skates Lillian and Minnie were soon
very dear friends. Just while before
New Years Lillian, Minnie and James
we're going to try their new skates on
the duck pond. As they came in
sight of 1t Lillian said go, how
beautiful 1t puts me in mind of the
duck pond we used to have" 'sWere
you ever rich?" asked Minnie 10 sud
den, surprise. ''Yes before papa died
we were we'll off but after he died
mammals health was 80 poor aud we
had so many misfortunes we lost all
we had. o, we used to have lovely
times swimming in the summer
time. BY this time they had
reached the pond and had their skates
on. They had just reached the mid.
die when the ice broke and let Minnie
in. In an instant Lillian was after
her. She grabbed her by the hair then
managed to get hold of her arm and
with James help lifted her up and
out safely. Then they helped her up
to the house where she was properly
cared for. 1t was Mrs. Rhoner's time
to be thankful. She tenderly kissed
Lillian.
"You have saved my girls life,"
she said, you are a brave girl.
VERA PACE.