The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1910-12-22

Watcn cnalD. key flnS. neck udlldEef-
chiefs, pair of spurs. tobacco. ci-
CARS. patent pencil. matchboxes-iIl
changed hands deity from pockets to
one or another of the yawning stock
ings When the little store of articles
gave out they had recourse to the
magazine and lavished all sorts of
Autographed gifts upon each other.
They all entered into the spirit of
the thing with an abandonment thar
was pathetic when one considered the
barrenness of the ground upon which
they tried to graft Christmas. What
ever else the occasion lacked. the
Yuletide spirit was there.
When Ducie Case emerged from the
kitchen with the thoroughly cowed
Sam Huh in his train they were laden
with plates of red apples and yellow
oranges, plates of crisp cakes fresh
from their paper boxes and a large
dish of candy. which Ducie placed in
the middle of the table.
Bring in the coffee, Sam, when l
holler," said Ducie tremendously.
Then he turned to the grinning cow
punchers surrounding the fire. Lets
see what Sanity Claus has got for US.
eh. boys?'
you first, Ducier' they insisted, and
they watched him delightedIy as he
brought forth from the stocking a pa
per of his favorite tobacco. which
Storrs also carried, and silver watch
chain.
"That was great idea of mine"
chuckled Ducie after he had identified
the givers and thanked them warmly.
81 have feeling that this here is to be
a kind of a merry Christmas, even if
the mail don't get in"
After that there was no end to the
fun. Each man found several surpris-
ing gifts in his stockings, and there
was much merriment in identifying the
givers and more interchange of good
feeling than the Double Star had known
in some time.
Presently Sam Huh brought in a pot
of steaming coffee, and they gathered
about the board and ate of the refresh
ments and toasted Mr.. Ducie in the
SuuiuldlIlS Dld'h Ilqulu WIN hIuSh
flattery.
When the meal was concluded Ray
mond Storrs sang a song in his fine
tenor voice. 1t was a Christmas carol.
one that they all knew. and they joined
in the chorus with a vim. frankie de-
livered an anVlsing monologue. and the
taciturn Miller gave an absurdly funny
imitation of fashionable lady buying
a hat There were other songs and
recitations and the quaffing of a weird
" constructed bowl of punch that Sam
Huh had laboriously put together from
several cookbooks and unlimited adj
vice from the different members of the
party.
whats the matter with this Christ
mas?" demanded frankie eXcitedly as
II o'clock was struck on the tall clock
in the corner.
ITS all right! It's been bully one!
Couldn't be better! Up to US to thank
Ducier" were some of the comments
On the occasion.
There was the sound of hoofs pound
ing in the snow outside and loud
shout. Every man was on his feet
With interested faces.
1.-The mail at lastr' cried Miller ex-
,itedly. Now we'll see what's WHAT
They crowded about the door as Mr.. |
Vest came over from the big house to |
,pen the mail bag 1t had stopped
and the stars were blazing in |
cold, clear, dark sky.
Letter for you, and you, and you"
'attled Mr.. West as he tossed letters
lere and there among his employees.
They grasped them eagerly and then
tucked them away for private perusal.
t happened that each one received at
east one letter, and Raymond Storrs
eceived several with a San Francisco
ostmark, as well as a wooden case
hat was dumped on the floor ere the
atter carrier drove away.
Storrs ripped off the cover while they
ung breathlessly over him. From nu-
lerous careful wrappings he drew
orth a large photograph with a morn
lg glory horn and a collection of wax
lusic rolls. Deity Storrs fitted the
arts together and placed the machine
n the table and wound it up. There
,as a cylinder in the machine, as if
is sweetheart, who ha6 sent it, had
1T 1t there that he might hear the
of a melody she had been
nging.
There was a low, buzZing sound, and
len there came forth from that in
.rument of wood and metal sweet
,prano voice singing with a delicate
iOlin accompaniment: IA
"Oh. holy night. peaceful night
As the hymn rang out every hat was
hipped off and the little group stood
in the open doorway look !
e out at the same brilliant stars that
I'd shone down over Bethlehem that ,
ng ago holy night when the first
hristmas was sung over one who
-ought peace and good will into the
orld F
A fterward. as they followed Mr..
est across the yard toward the big
,use where he said a feast awaited
EN-, frankie nudged Ducie Case with ,
razor-like elbow. :
Il learned one thing tonight" admit
d frankie graciously, land that was h
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