The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-12-08

q ~ trip, breaking the
way through tho
crust during the night, and leaving
behind Il highway OF drifting ice. On
the bank beyond they could see the
houses and the church, but could not
60 there
I'VE may even forget when Christ.
mas comes" said Ben. unless we
notch stick, like Robinson Crusoe."
81 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 tho 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 go to church or post office or
market But the Bigbee children did
not think that n hardship.
I'VE want clear water all winter"
said Della.
81 hope you will have H." said the
teacher, "at least til Christmas. We
are going to have carols and Christ.
mas tree"
This was great news 10 tho Bigbees,
who had never seen a Christmas tree.
They talked about Il, and told Mamie
Scudder They knew there would he
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 tee tossing In the river, so
that no little rowhoat 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.
ITS a cold day and growing cold
err" said MIR Bigbce on Saturday
The family kept close round the
fre None Of them spoke Of Christ.
mas There had been no secret prep
arations. no shopping trip2 Money
was scarce In tho Rigbce family
When Rem and Della went TO thoir
beds at night Paul, who followed
soon after, came back into the kitch
en- with n serious face
Mother" he said. they have hung
up their stockings"
Mrs Bigbeo SGT 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 childs stocking
She put ~ into each Of her chill.
dren's stockings, hanging Faul's 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-
citement over the stockings Even
Paul was Interested and amused
Dear little mother" he said, softly.
Mamie came with her stockingtul,
and the children played menagerie,
Noah's Ark. and farmyard for hours.
The steamboat made no trip that
day A few skaters were seen. II
guess the boat sldps Christmas tho
same as Sundays" said Paul
After dirk he went to the window.
81 hear tho bells" he said And the
church windows shine" A silence fell
on the group.
"Tf We knew tho carols we would
sing them ourselves" said Mrs, Big.
bee.
From time to time tho children
went to the window. 1t was starlight
"sce the lights in the road" OK
claimed Della. THE folks arc going
home with lanterns"
They're coming down the bank"
said Ben.
A little line OF lights moved steadily
along. They were certainly on tho
frozen river. They we're coming
toward the island.
why. father, father" shouted Paul.
Tho river must be frozen hard all
over, and that's why tho boat didn't
co."
at happened so once six years ago."
said MIR. 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.
II was az u church, tree. festival.
Christmas and everything had come