Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-01-03

we are going to have carols and a.
Christmas tree"
This was great news for the
Bisbae children, who had never
Seen a Christmas tree. They talked
about it ard told Mamie 3cuddar.
They. knew there would be caadI es
on the tree, and shining things NJ
inorg the b3ughs. 1t would be
beautiful.
But the next Sunday a binding
fmowstorm Kept them at hoai5.
And tie next there was ice tossing
in the river. 10 that the llttje
rowrboat could not venture across
aboard.
One Q Sunday and then Nom
day would be Christmas. All the
happy children weuld go to church
aud there woslld he the tree full
of gifts.
"lts a cold day and growing
solder" Sand Mr.. Bigbee on saltur-
day.
The children had to s.ra9e the
.rost FROM the windows when they
looked at the steamer blowing
throughfthe ice.
D. Sand y was colder yet, and
ths' skies wsra gray. cit looks
ike snaw," said Mr.. Byg,bee, "but
its too, cold to SNOW"
n,
The family kept close roui,d
the fire. More of them spoke OF
'Christmais. There had BEEN no
'hopp1ng trips. Money was scarce
in the Bigbea family.
But whei the children went 90
ebed they hun g up their bookings.
MrI. R.gbee set her lips tight
when she saw them.
She stayed up late and by
eleven o'clock she had made
cookies shaped like birds, dogs,
1alls, boys, horses, elephants, cam
els, saeeo and rao bits, and all oil
them small enough to slip easily
into a child's stocking.
SHEEP twelve into each of her
ehildren's stockings. Sll1l go over
the morning fer their lights are
with Mamie scudder's early in
out" she said.
,he children did no Seem dis
appointed as She had expected
a7Len they explored their stockings
CT Cliistmas morning. Merry
Christmas; Merry Christmas" they
shouted, and the house rang with
laughter and mirth.
!Ianlia ;3uudder came over WITH
her stockingful, and the children
llayed menagerie, Noah's Ark, mad
%flEnyard for hours.
The steamboat makle no trip Una
day. Il que the boat skips Christ
mas the same as sundays sail
Paul.
After dark he went to the winr
dow. 81 hea, the bells, and the
church Windows are all lit up
said he.
All rushed to the windows, am,
there was s.lapirg OF ice from
the glass to. be able to see
,.early.
IF we knew the carols WE
would sing them ourselves" said
Mrs. Ri. be.
1t was starlight and the chill dren
WATCHED eagerly. "See the lights
fin he road exclaimed Della. The
folks are going home with lans
terms.
They're coming DOWN the roau
toward the river" cried Ben.
This al odd. All the Bigbee
had to see. ''Why, they're on the
river" Ga d Ben.
A little line of lights moved
steadily along. They were cer-
tinly Oh the river. They were com
ing toward the island.
why, father. father" shouted
Paul, the river must ha frozoa
all over, N that is why the
boat didn't CO."
Mr.. BTgbee locked at the twinkt
ling lights. 1T happened SO oqcs
several years ago" said he.
Mss acudder came rurmiag cvel
T,cinl her house. "Tiey'rp sing
mtg" she 6ldlad. Listen.
fhe sweet afhr stmays carols sound
VI clearer and clearer, al3 boys and
girin' ann up rnp bark. zip to
the very mouse.
Come I'm; Come in" said Mi.
Bbgbse throwing the door open.
They! cama troor.ing in until TIE
J powse was filled with red-eheeked
rosy children. l.
we cut oil d boueh full .
candles to bs your tree" saiI