Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1911-01-07
An Impromptu
Christmas
And the True Christmas
Feeling 1t Prompted
By EDWARD PIERCE
By EDWARD PIERCE
Copyright. 1910, by American Press
Association.


hills and screamed Town the canyons,
Dbliteratlng all trails that led to the
Double Star ranch. Ii filled the air
with smothering, flying flakes and
plastered the sides of the bunk house
with n thick white covering. The win
lows of the ranch house a hundred
yards distant were oblongs of light
that diffused sickly yellow glow into
he flying snow.
Ducie Case tossed another log on the
blazing hearth and surveyed the silent
crowd with growing disdain. At last
ae could no longer control himself and
broke forth into violent speech:
Say, you mum mouthcd dummies,
you long faced. solemn eyed. good-for
nothing cayuses. do you know this is
Christmas 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
eve?" repeated Mr.. Case impressivcly
is he brought Il pipe from his pocket
and proceeded to clean it with the
nervous energy that characterized his
every movement.
"Of course we know It," growled
Miller from his corner. I'VE didn't
get any mail tCday-havcn't had any
for week! Christmas.
coming! BAH"
"You've got Il crouch. 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
and noisily mounted the heavy table,
where he looked down on his com
panions with a benevolent smile.
"Tonght's Christmas eve. boys, and
I'm going to confess it's the onlikelicSt
Christmas eve ever spent.
Every one of you is downright
homeSick. That's what's the matter
with you. | expect you're homesick
every time Christmas comes around.
If you can't get home to your folks
and find an old fashioned Christmas
why, l say let's have Christmas right
her in the Double Star bunk house.
All In favor say eye.
"Aye" came forth a mighty chorus
from seven thrOatS
Good. Now, gentlemen, there amt
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
skeptically.
"NiX.' was the laconic reply.
"Well, then. you've all got socks.
Hang 'em up here along by the chin
ney We might as we'll do this Sanity
Claus business up nice and brown"
The men scattered, laughing. to their
several hunks to search their effects
for clean socks. When they returned
Mr.. Case was ready with hammer and
nails to fasten them to the long shelf.
The first to go up was his own, huge
blue wooden affair with a startling
void presented by the sagging top.
"Now, what you going to put In
'cm?" demanded Miller as he witness
ed the hammering OF the last nail into
his own sock.
"Now, that's up to the rest Of you In
a way" drawled Mr.. Case Indifferent
ly. "I've started this thing and got
the ball rolling nicely. All you chaps
has got to do is to find something to
put in those socks. Seems as if you
might find something to give each
other just to remember the day and
make things pleasant"
"Who feels like being very pleasant
with no mail for week and no pros
pect of any?' complained frankie,
rather peevishly. II thought Christ
was eve was the time for good things
to eat and drink. l haven't seen the
chink handing out any goodies yet"
"You go along and work that Christ
mas spirit business l was telling you
about" commanded Mr.. Case. sam
Huh and me will take care Of the eat
ing end. Just watch my smoke.'
He disappeared behind the plank
door that shut off the kitchen quar-
ters from the living room, and they
heard the sound of his strident voice
mingled with the staccato objections
of the Chinese cook.
Storrs stepped forward, a slight flush
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 n dull time,
and / believe we ought to do all we
can to make 1t pleasant, even If the
mail doesn't come at all. Suppose we
make the best kind of n Christmas we
Jan out Of what we've got"
Let's" agreed Miller boylshly.
Suppose we begin with Ducie's meal
sack here. He must expect an auter-
mobile in that. What do you say|'
Lets give him one" retortcd Storrs
cheerfully. Il saw one a minute ago.
He reached for magazine and drew
n knife from his pocket. He turned to
the advertising section and cut from
1t the picture of a large touring ear.
whats the matter with that?' he
crowed softly as he slipped 1t in Du-
cie's stocking.
II got couple of handkerchiefs
that I've never used" said Frankie
suddenly .'I'U give one TO DuCie and