The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-12-13


crust during the night, and leaving
behind highway of drifting ice. On
the bank beyond they could see the
houses and the church, but could not
60 there
We may even forget when Christ
mas comes" said Ben, unless we
notch stick, like Robinson Crusoe."
Il shall not forget said Della.
Nor 7" 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 or post Office or
market. But the Bigbee children did
not think that hardship
eve want clear water all winter"
said Della.
Il 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 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
go to church and there would be the
tree full OF gifts.
tits cold day and growing cold
err" said Mr., Bigbee on Saturday
The family kept close round the
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 kitch-
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 1--WE 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 child's stocking.
She put Il into each of her chH-
dren's stockings, hanging Paul's up
also She glanced toward Mrs. Scud-
der's, but the lights were out.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christ
mast" 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,
Noah's Ark. and farmyard for hours
The steamboat made no trip that
day. A few skaters were seen. 81
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.
eff we knew the carols we would
sing them ourselves" said Mrs. Big
bee.
From time to time the children
went to the window. It 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
'tWhy, father, father!" shouted Paul.
"The river must be frozen hard all