The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-12
All In1pron1ptu Christmas
And the True Christmas
 Feeling It Prompted
By EDWARD PIERCE
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
 Sssociatio

 Sssocia tioa. The blizzard raced across the foot hills and screamed down tue canyons, obliterating all trails that led to the Double Star ranch. It filled the air with smOthering. flying flakes and plastered the sides of tho bunk house with a thick white covering. The win lows of the ranch house a hundred yards distant were oblongs of light that diffused a sickly yellow glow into the flying snow.
 Ducie Case tossed another log on the blazing hearth and surveyed the silent crowd with growing disdain. At last he could no longer control himself and broke forth into violent speech:
 Say, you mum mouthed dummies, you long faced. solemn eyed, good-for. nothing cayuses, do you know this is Chrfstmas eve?"
 The moody circle about the fire straightened as by one accord and looked at the speaker with the first sign of interest that had been betrayed since the silent supper had ended.
 "Do you know this is Christmas Ieve" repeated MT. Case impressively as he brought pipe from his pocket and proceeded to clean 1t with the nervous energy that characterized his every movement.
 'aOf course we know it," growled Miller from his corner. we didn't get any mail today-haven't had any for a sweek! Excuse-me-Christ coming! Bah!'
 You've got a grouch, Miller. You're always kicking about the mail. and I've never seen you get any letters yet not even one of them picture postal cards that Frankie here gets so many of"
 Ducie Case hustled out of his chair land noisily mounted the heavy table. where he looked down on his com lpanions with a benevolent smile.
 "Tonight's Christmas eve, boys, and I'm going to confess it's the onlikeliest Christmas eve ever spent. 1 -
 Every one of you Is downright thomesick. That's what's the matter with you. I expect you're homesick every time Christmas comes around. If you can't get home to your folks and Ind an old fashioned Christmas why, | say let's have Christmas right iher in the Double Star bunk house. All in favor say eye"
 "Ayer' came forth a mighty chorus from seven throats
 "Goodi Now. gentlemen, there ain't any tree within three miles of the ranch except the naples at the big house, and they're too large. Can we have a Christmas tree?" he asked lskeptically.
 'sNixw was the laconic reply.
 "Well. then, you've all got socks. Hang lem up here along by the chim- lney. We might as we'll do this Santy Claus business up nice and brown"
 The men scattered. laughing, to their several hunks to search their effects for clean socks. When they returned MT. Case was ready with hammer and nails to fasten them to the long shelf. The first to go up was his own. huge blue weolen affair with a startling void presented by the sagging top.
 "Now. what you going to put in hem?" demanded Miller as he witness. led the hammering of the last nail into his own sock.
 Ia way" drawled MT. Case indifferent ly. "I've started this thing and goi the ball rolling nicely. All you chaps has got to do is to. find something te put in those socks. Seems as if you might find something to give eacf other just to remember the day and make things pleasant
 ~Who feels like being very pleasant with no mail for a week and no pros pect of any?" complained Frankie rather peevishly. q thought Christ was eve was the time for good things to eat and drink. I haven't seen the chink handing out any goodies yet.'
 "You go along and work that Christ mas spirit business I was telling you about" commanded MT. Case. "San Huh and me will take care of the eat ing end. Just watch my smoker
 He disappeared behind the plank door that shut off the kitchen quar ters from the living room. and they lHc SOUuu Ol HIS StIluCht NOlOt mingled with the staccato objections of the Chinese cook.
 Storrs stepped forward. a slight f1usf on his handsome face. and turned to ward his companions. "I'm rather ashamed, boys. that Ducie had to re mind us that it was the night before Christmas. It's certainly a dull time and I believe we ought to do all ws can to make it pleasant, even if tho mail doesn't come at all. Suppose wt make the best kind of Christmas vt can ont of what we've got"
 Let's" agreed Miller boyishly Suppose we begin with Ducie's mea sack here He must expect an auter mobile in that. What do you sayT'
 Lets give him one." retorted Storr. cheerfully. "1 saw one minute ago He reached for a magazine and drew knife from his pocket. He turned tt the advertising section and cut iron st <he picture of a large touring car "What's the matter with that?' h, crowed softly as he slipped it in Du cie's stocking.
 'I got a couple of handkerchief that I've never used" said .Franki, suddenly. .'I'n give one to Ducie ant one to somebody else. Let's get busy bova"
 They got busy and searched theil