The Colorado statesman., 1910-12-17

crust during the night. and leaving
behind a highway OF drifting ice. on
the bank beyond they could see the
houses and the church. but could not
go there.
1--WE may even forget when Christ
mas comes" said Ben, unless we
notch a stick, like Robinson Crusoe.
"I shall not forget" said Della.
Nor l." 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 to
Sunday school, until December
brought ice and snow.
People living on small island must
take boats instead of carriages when
they go to church OF post office or
market. But the Bigbee children did
not think that hardship.
I'VE want clear water all winter"
said Della.
"I hope you will have IT," said the
teacher. "at least till Christmas. We
are going to have carols and 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
that no little rowboat could venture
abroad.
One more Sunday. and then Mon
day would be Christmas. All the
happy children across the river would
20 to church and there would be the
tree full of gifts.
ITS a cold day and growing cold
err" 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
soon after. came back into the ktch-
en- with a serious face.
Mother" he said they have hung
up their stockings"
Mrs. Bigbee set her lips tight. Then
she put her arm round Paul. and
kissed him.
"Never mind" he said. I'VE 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 10 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
masl" shouted the children the next
morning. The house rang with laugh
ter and mirth. There was great ex-
citement 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,
Noahs Ark, and farmyard for hours.
The steamboat made no trip that
day. A few skaters were seen. Il
guess the boat skips Christmas the
same as Sundays" said Paul.
After dark he went to the window.
81 hear the bells" he said. "And the
church windows shine" A silence fell
on the group.
'If we knew the carols we would
sing them ourselves" said Mrs. Big
bee.
From time to time the children
went to the window. 1t 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 Ben.
A little line of lights moved steadily
along. They were 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
go!"
'It happened SO once six years ago. "
said Mr.. Bigbee.
Mrs. Scudder ran over from her
house They're singing!" she cried.
"Listen!"
The sweet Christmas carols sound
ed clearer and clearer, as boys and
girls came up the bank. up to the
very house.
Come in! Come I'M" said Mr.. Big
bee, throwing the door open.
It was as II church, tree, festival,
Christmas and everything had come
to the Bigbees and Scudders.
1--WE cut off bough full of candles
to be your tree" said the boys. they
set It up in a corner and lighted the