Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-12-26
A MONTANA CHRISTMAS.

David and Florence Payson live with
their parents on a ranch in Montana
The nearest neighbor is mile away
and the nearest town nearly twenty
miles; but that does not mean that they
are so much out Of the world as city
children may imagine.
Most city children-and most country
children, too, for that matter-count
themselves fortunate to have one
Christmas a year; but last year David
and Florence Payson had two Christ
masses, and moreover, they are plan
ming a double Christmas again this
year. The double Christmas came
about in very simple way, and It gave
them by far the happiest holiday sea.
son that they had ever known.
The first Of their two Christmases--
and perhaps some Of us wouli call it
their real Christmas on Christ
mas eve. There was tree before the
fireplace in the CHEEKY living room, and
it was loaded with good things that
Mr.. Payson had brought from town
few days before. Flashing tinsels anC
ripping streamers; bright flags and
sprigs Of crimson holly; golden fruit
and candy Of all kinds and colors; toy
toys, toys; books and pictures; things
to wear and things to eat; and ther
more toys-all these made the tree very
beautiful and wonderful to David and
Florence when at last the living-rcom
doors were opened and they were free
to rush in. What happy Christmas
Eve they had then! In all the wide land
there were perhaps no children who had
a merrier time round their tree that
night than David and Florence Payson
in the big living room Of their lonely
ranch house.
They took very few OF the presents
from the tree that evening. 1t was
enough to admire them, and to dance
round and round the ttee in search OF
the treasures hidden among the branch
es. When the next morning came they
were shouting "Merry Christmas"
their parents were awake, and were
at the tree as soon as it was light
enough to see.
At breakfast David suddenly asked
"Does everyone have Christmas ?"
Everyone repeated Mr. Paysorl:
"well, Pm afraid some have good deal
more Christmas than others
David looked thoughtful. do you
suppose that family in the log cabin
over behind the bluff has any Christmas
at alp"
"Perhars not" admitted Mr.. Payson,
and Mrs. Payson suddenly had the air
of person who all at once remembers
something very important.
David looked hard at his plate, ano
then he said:
"Perhaps We ought to take Christmas
over to them. We have so much that
we can spare little, can't we"
"Of course we can, David" said his
mother promptly. "I'll fill a big basket
with good things, and you and youi
father can carry it right over"
But before the basket was filled,
very natural thought came to Florence.
GLOW can it be Christmas to them
without tree? ?" she asked
"They shall have a tree" said Mr.
Payson. "Come, David, we'll get one
right now."
David and his father found an 3
and hurried off to clump of small
pines that grew near the river; ther
Mr.. Paysop cut down the most shapely
one he could find. When they returned
with it, Mrs. Payson and Florence had
two baskets ready instead Of one. Into
the first basket they had put food and
clothing. Into the second they had
put some OF the ornaments and holly
that had decorated their own tree, and
also a gnerous part Of the fruit, candy
and toys.
"Now we'll be Santa Claus & Co.
said Mr.. Payson. "David, you and
Florence can ride old Diamond and drag
the tree. I've tied a rope to II. I'll
90 ahead on General with the baskets" !"
That was the way the strange process
sion set out. There was light snow
on the ground, but not enough to make
travel hard, and the two miles was soon
crossed. General was faster than Dia-
mond, and little while before the chill
dren reached the cabin they met theii
father returning.
"Ive left the baskets on the brow OF
the hill," he said. "You can easily
drag them down to the door. You two
are really Santa Claus& Co., you know
So suddenly and without any warn
ing what ever, Christmas came to the
log cabin. The family there had staked
out a little claim the summer before
and they had little more than the land
itself. There were no signs Of any
holiday celebration anywhere about the
shabby little place. 1t was indeed
an amazed man that opened the door
to the children's knock
"Hnu, do Won do 90 said David.