The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-12-16

houses and the church, but could not
90 there.
I'VE may even forget when Christ
mas comes" said Ben, unless we
notch a stick, like Robinson Crusoe.'
II shall not forget" said DELE
Nor T." said Mamie Scudder.
The Bigbees lived on an island.
There was one house besides their
own, where Mrs. Scudder and Mamie
lived Mamie never crossed the wa
ter in cold weather. but the Bigbee
children rowed across every week 10
Sunday school. until December
brought ice and snow
People living on a small island must
take boats instead Of carriages when
they 20 to church or post Office or
market Bat the Bisboe children did
not think that a hardship.
we want clear water an winter
said Della
Il hope YOU win have it," said the
teacher. 'at least till Christmas. We
are going 10 have carols and a Christ
mas tree
This was great news to the Bigbees.
who had never seen a Christmas tree.
They talked about it. and told Mamie
Scudder They knew there would be
candles on the tree, and shining
things among the boughs.
But the first Sunday in December
a binding snowstorm kept them at
home. The next Sunday and the next
there was ice tossing in the river, SO
hat no little rowboat could venture
abroad
One more Sunday. and then Mon
day would be Christmas. All the
happy children across the river would
go to church and there would be the
tree fun of gifts.
Its a cold day and growing cold
er," said Mr.. Bigbee on Saturday
The family kept close round the
fire. None of them spoke of Christ
mas. There had been no secret prep
arations. no shopping trips. Money
was scarce in the Bigbee family.
When Ben and Della went to their
beds at night, Paul, who followed
o after. came back into the kttch-
en- with q serious face.
Mother" he said. they have hung
up their stockings"
Mrs. Bigbee set her lips tight. Then
abe put her arm round Paul. and
kissed him.
Never mind" he said. W can
pop corn and crack nuts"
Mrs. Bigbee stayed up late that
night. BY II O'Clock she had made
cookies shaped in various ways
birds. dogs, balls, boys. horses, ele-
plants. camels, hearts, sheep and
rabbits-and not one too big to slip
easily into a child's stocking
She put IL into each of her chill
dren's stockings, hanging Pauls up
also. She glanced toward Mrs. Scud-
der's, but the lights were out.
Merry Christmas Merry Christ
mas" shouted the children the next
morning The house rang with laugh
ter and mirth. There was great ex-
element over the stockings. Even
Paul was interested and amused
Dear little mother" he said. softly.
Mamie came with her stockingful.
and the children played menagerie.
nozzle AIh. anu idl lily dId iOI ltouIS.
The steamboat made no trip that
day. A few skaters We're seen. Il
guess the boat skips Christmas the
same as Sundays" said Paul.
After dark he vent to the window.
Il hear the bells" he said And the
church windows shine A silence fell
on the group.
.4Iy 80 ,,nur sha. po role VIC ur~1r11
sing them ourselves said Mrs. Big
zee.
From time to time the children
went to the window. Ii was starlight.
See the lights in the road ex-
claimed Della THE folks are going
home with lanterns.
They're coming down the bank"
said e
A little line Of lights moved steadily
along. They We're certainly on the
frozen river. They were coming
toward the Island.
"Why. father. father shouted Paul.
The river must be frozen hard all
over, and that's why the boat didn't
co."
IL ukpISIItI W u eiA hSS'
said Mr.. Bigbee.
Mrs. Scudder ran over from her
house. They're singing she cried
Listen
The sweet Christmas carols sound
cd clea rer and clearer, as boys ard
girls came up the bank. mp to tho
very house.
Come in, Come in" said Mr.. Big
bee throwing the door open.
7, was as if church. tree, festival.
christmas and everything had come
10 the Bigbees and Scndders.
" cut off a bough full OF candles
"a be your tree" said the boys. They
cot Il IN in a corner and lighted the
candles anew
I'VE brought your presents" said
NO girls. giving each a book and box
of candy
a late when. with merry fp ra.