Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-12-21
A Well Earned Christmas

This happened in the great unset
tied North where the winters are long
and bitter, where the snow falls stea-
Oily for week and the winds seldom
cease bowling.
Here in this land of snow stood a
solitary cabin, though now it was
scarcely visible. All one could see
was the chimney and the smoke which
curled from it.
j This was the home Of John Strong
and his little family. John Strong
one time was a man of wealth and po-
sition, but the great destroyer Of man
-tuberculosis-had claimed him. With
only year to live he decided to spend
it in the land he so loved, the land in
which his father and his fathers fa-
Their had dwelt. So with his little fam
lily he had eft his home, friends and
his wealth on one Christmas Day. He
vowed never to return for he believed
the city was the cause of his i'll health.
He has kept that VOW for almost eight
years, because, for almost eight years
he has dwelt in the land of his fathers.
This winter had been especially hard
The ground was almost always cover
ed with snow and this made the larger
animals seek cover. Here and there
one might see rabbit, but when the
larger ones ventured forth they prey
ed upon the smaller ones FOR food.
Then blizzard had come and during
this time the little family for the first
time faced starvation. Everything
that could be used was gradually being
consumed for food and many times did
the mother secretly go without any
thing all day to feed her children.
The mother and father bore it brave
ly but one thing saddened them. 1t
was only five days before Christmas
and the children, too young to realize
their predicament, were eagerly look
ing forward to it. If the blizzard kept
up, as it seemed to be doing. there
would be no Christmas at the little
cabin.
The next day the father awoke early
and found that the snow had ceased
falling. Quickly dressing in his heavi-
est clothes, he opened the door. I'M
mediately snow fell into the cabin. AS
he looked up he saw a faint light. He
grabbed his shovel, and forcing his
way out of the door, started to shovel
a tunnel. At last he came to the top,
and found that the snow would bear
his weight. He went back to the cabin
and got his snow shoes. Then, not
wishing to waken his wife, he left a
note telling Of his errand. So weak
) with hunger and weary from his morn
ing labor, he started for the nearest
settlement.
All day he travelled and when night
came he dug a hole deep in the snow.
This he crawled into, covering himself
with natures blanket. Then exhaust
ed he slept. In the morning when he
crawled forth from his bed he saw that
it was not yet daylight, but refreshed
by his sleep he started out again. On
On the way he killed a rabbit, part of
which he ate uncooked. About noon
he arrived at the settlement. Here
he obtained food and few crude toys
and doll.
Immediately with his load of food,
which would bring cheer to his family,
he started back. Not once did he rest
until he reached his former bed. Here
he stayed all night. In the morning
he was awakened by the bowls of
wolves. These terrible cries brought
terror to the mans heart for he real
lied by the direction that they were on
his trail. After he had started he
never looked back though he heard the
cries coming nearer and nearer. f.
if-nothing happened he expected to