Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-12-08


way through the
crust Curing 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 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 a hardship.
1--WE want clear water all winter"
said Della
nope you Will nave IL odid thN
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.
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 10 secret prep
arations, no shopping trips. Money
] was Ntdi't III Nllt DEUCE lctu-ilf.
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 stochngs!"
! Mrs. Bgbee 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 a child's stocking.
! She put 12 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 Chrigt-
mast" 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 menaserie
Noah's Ark. and farmyard for hours
The steamboat made no trip that
day. few skaters were seen. II
guess the boat skips Christmas the
same as Sundays" said Paul
After dark he went TO the window
Il hear the bells" he said And the
church windows shine" silence fell
or 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. II was starlight
"See the lights in the road" OK
claimed Della "The folks are going
home with lanterns"
They're coming down the bank"
said Ben.
4 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 he frozen hard all
over. and that's why the boat didn't
go'"
~ happened 30 once six years ago"
said Nr niebee
Mrs Scnddor ran over from her
house They're singing" she eried
Tisteni"
The sweet Christmas carols sound
81 clearer and clearer as boys aud
girls came up the bank. up 20 tho
| very house
Come In Come In" said Mr. BiR
bee throwing the door opou
II vas as lf church. tree festival.
| Christmas and everything had come
"a the R.shses aud scndders
I'VE put on a bough full Of candles
Ia BE- Your tree said the boys Thry
see ii up In "a corner and lighted the
/ candles anew
1--WE brought your presents" said
I 49,. ....f. s#tIuss ..sh . E..H "a o.