Classic Audiobook Collection - Christie's Christmas by Pansy ~ Full Audiobook [religion]

Starting point is 00:00:00 Christy's Christmas by Pansy. Chapter 1. The First Journey It began, like most Christmas days, a long while beforehand. That is, the getting ready for it began. The truth is, it was one very warm day in August that the plans for Christy's Christmas were formed. They were all out under the great elm tree in the backyard, at work trying to keep cool. So Carl said, who had his torn straw hat for a fan and was lying at full length under the tree. Christy was sewing, taking quick little business-like stitches on a long seam. The baby was pulling first at her work and then at Carl's hat. Nettie was under the tree too, but fast asleep, one chubby hand supporting her red cheek.

Starting point is 00:00:54 The mother of all these little tuckers was there too, sewing another long seam. There was ever so much to do in the Tucker family, and when any of them sat down to rest, there was sure to be long seams to sew, patches to set, or holes to darn. Carl, the mother said, keep the flies off of Nettie, can't you? They are eating her up. I must go, said Carl, but he arose on one elbow and began lazily to fan away the flies. I guess my half hour is up. Father said I was to rest for half an hour because my cheeks got so red

Starting point is 00:01:35 he was afraid I would be sunstruck. It is awful hot out in the field. I'll tell you where I wish I was this minute. I'd like to be an Uncle Daniel's ice house. What a thing it must be to have ice houses and everything you want. We can have an ice house just as well as not by Christmas time, said Christy,

Starting point is 00:01:58 biting off her thread. If I had a chance to be at Uncle Daniels a little while, I'd take care to see something different from ice houses, something that we can't ever have. As she spoke, she drew a long breath, like one whose heart was full of things that she might say if she would. Carl watched her curiously from behind his hat. What things are there at Uncle Daniels that you never expect to have? he asked at last. Lots of them, carpets and nice furniture and pictures and books and a piano. Oh my! She caught her breath again and seemed to think it best to stop lest she should say too much. I wouldn't care a fig for the carpets and furniture, but I'd like well enough to have some of the books, a history or two maybe, and like enough a physical geography.

Starting point is 00:02:57 but those things I mean to have some day without going to Uncle Daniels. What good would it do to look at things if you didn't own them? I think it would be nice to have one good look at them all. You could think out how other folks live a great deal easier after that. Well, said Carl, after a thoughtful pause, maybe you will have a chance someday. It isn't so awful far to Uncle Daniels now that the railroad is done. How do you know, but you will go and make them a visit?

Starting point is 00:03:31 Over this wild suggestion, Christy laughed and broke her thread in her nervousness. But the mother looked up with a significant knot of her head. I mean you shall, child, she said decidedly. I meant it for a surprise, but maybe you will like thinking it over and planning for it better than the surprise. Your father and I made up our minds that we would have you, you go and spend a whole day at your Uncle Daniels and see all the things that you want to see so much. They've invited us often enough, and we mean to do it.

Starting point is 00:04:08 Carl sat upright, and his cheeks were nearly as red as Christy's, and both the children said, When? In such loud, eager tones, that the baby immediately set it after them, and then sat down on the grass and laughed immoderately at his own smartness. as he had never said this word before, Christy, even in her excitement, had to bend down and kiss the baby's mouth. Well, said Mrs. Tucker, speaking slowly and impressively, if nothing more than we know of now happens, we have decided that you shall spend the whole of Christmas day at your uncles. You are to go up on the train that passes at seven in the morning and come back on the six o'clock, and that will give you nine whole hours at your uncle Daniels. I'm sure that will give you time to see a good many things. I don't know what your father will say to my telling you of it,

Starting point is 00:05:08 but you do like to dream out things so well I thought you might like to dream over that. Oh my, said Christy. Her work fell at her feet in a heap, and baby seized it and rolled over on it and chuckled. Then Christy said, oh my, again, this time at baby, and added, You will scratch yourself on that needle, and stooped and gathered up her work. The mother went on with her wonderful story. We've been thinking about it for a good while, your father and I, but it was only last night that we made our minds up squarely that you should go if we could bring it about, and I guess we can. I wish it was so that you and Carl could go together, but we don't know how to manage that now, that's a fact. And Christmas Day is Christy's

Starting point is 00:06:02 birthday, you know, Carl. And besides, she is two years older than you, her turn ought to come first. "'Course,' said Carl, sturdily, but he shaded his face entirely with his hat and let the flies bite Nettie in peace for about a minute. What a thing it would be to take a ride on the steam cars. No, he had never been on them in his life. Neither had Christy, but then she was a girl. He wondered if it could be so hard for girls as for boys. But, mother, said Christy timidly, it costs an awful lot of money to ride on the cars. I know it does, 85 cents there and 85 cents back. That's a dollar and 70 cents. It seems a good deal to spend, but it is your birthday, and it is Christmas day, and you've worked hard, and father and Carl and I think you ought to go,

Starting point is 00:07:02 don't we, Carl? Yes, um, said Carl, and if his voice trembled a little, his mother pretended not to notice it. Yes, she said cheerily, that's what we do, and we are going to work for. And, it. There is a great deal to be done between now and then. There's some yeast cakes I will want to send to your Aunt Louisa, and some mittens for the baby, and if I can bring it about, I'm going to tie a comfort for his little bed. Your Aunt Louisa said they were nice things the last time she was here, and your father thinks there will be a bag of choice apples that we can put in for them. and I thought maybe Carl and you would want to gather a few nuts for your cousins. Then they ought to have mittens too or something, but I don't know as we can manage about so much yarn.

Starting point is 00:07:55 Dear me, there is a great deal to do and only a little time to do it in. Not quite four months, I declare. How time does go, to be sure. Then did Christy and Carl look at each other, glances full of curious astonishment. Nothing seemed to them to move so slowly as time. It seemed to Christy that Christmas Day would never come, never in the world. But it did, and it found the Tucker family up very early in the morning. A kerosene lamp was burning in every room in the lower part of the house by four o'clock.

Starting point is 00:08:34 For wasn't the station a mile away, and wasn't Christy to take her first ride on the cars that morning? How pretty she looked in her trim new suit. New? Well, yes, new to her. Who was going to know, unless she told them that the brown traveling dress, sack and all, was made from an old waterproof cloak that Aunt Louisa had left there one day because it really was not worth bothering to get it into the trunk. Aunt Louisa herself would not have recognized it now. It had been turned and sponged and pressed, and cut and fitted and trimmed, with rows upon rows of machine stitching of the very neatest sort. How many fingers had helped to get Christy ready for her first going out into the great world? There was Susan Briggs the tailoress, home on a few days' visit to her mother, their next neighbor, and one evening, when she ran in to see the tuckers, she had said, why, you would have enough of that for one of those cunning little cutaway jackets that they wear so much. Let me look at it. I do believe I could get one out. Why, dear me, it has a large cape, too.

Starting point is 00:09:50 Yes, I know I could. Shall I cut it out for you, Mrs. Tucker? Oh, nonsense. I would just as soon do it as to sit here with my hands folded. Hand me the shears, Christy. I've got my pattern in my pocket. I lent it Jane Anne Wheeler, and I met her coming to bring it home, just as I turned the corner tonight. Wasn't that fortunate? I'll tell you what it is Christy Tucker. We'll have a nice little cutaway jacket for you before you know it. What are you going to trim the dress with? Oh, dear me, said Mrs. Tucker. Don't talk to us about trimming. It has been just as much as we could do to puckered the necessary things together to make the dress. You see Susan, a journey makes so many expenses. She had to have a pair of gloves and a new pair of shoes,

Starting point is 00:10:44 and altogether it counts up. She will have to go without trimming. Then did Susan sit in quiet, her busy shears snipping the cloth most skillfully, her busy brain considering the while. At last she spoke her thither. thoughts. I'll tell you what it is, Mrs. Tucker, this goods would look beautifully stitched on the machine. Suppose we change works. If you will do some buttonholes for me, I'll take this home and give it three rows on mother's machine. You do make buttonholes elegantly, and I'd rather stitch any day than to make them. And the gratified mother, who would not have accepted charity to get trimming for her daughter, was nevertheless willing to get it by changing work.

Starting point is 00:11:33 So the three rows of stitching were added, and very pretty they looked. Then, one evening, came Mrs. Briggs, Susan's mother, to sit a while with her knitting, and tucked away in her pocket was a pretty little ruffle of finest cambric, hemmed with the smallest of stitches, gathered in infinitesimal puckers, and carefully fluted by Mrs. Briggs's own skillful hands. "'There,' she said, bringing it out, "'I was making ruffles for my girls, "'and there was a little speck over.

Starting point is 00:12:08 "'I promised them three apiece, you know, "'and this was left over, "'and thinks I to myself, "'that will just make Christy a ruffle to wear "'when she goes her first journey. "'So I made it for a little Christmas present for you, child, "'and you must pay me by telling me, by telling me about all the wonderful things you saw on the way.

Starting point is 00:12:29 How pretty the little ruffle was! And how pleased was Christy, and how more than pleased was her mother. It was so nice for people to take an interest in her Christy. At last, everything was ready. The basket of choice apples was packed, the bag of yeast cakes was stowed away in the old-fashioned, flowered carpet satchel that used to go on journey's by water and journeys by stage a long time ago, but had never in its life taken a ride by steam.

Starting point is 00:13:03 There were other choice things in the satchel, mittens and wrist warmers, and the gay patchwork comfort for the baby's bed, and there was another basket for the nuts that had been gathered at just the right time to be at their best. I don't know how you will ever get out of the cars loaded down so, Father Tucker said, looking a little anxious. But I guess the conductor will help you. I'll speak to him about it. And do be careful, Christy, said Mother Tucker. It seems to me as though the cars must be dangerous things going so fast. I'm most sorry I gave my consent to having you go off alone. It is a pretty risky thing for a young girl like you. "'Oh, mother,' said Carl,

Starting point is 00:13:51 "'nothing will hurt her. "'I wouldn't be afraid to go to New York all alone.' "'Yes, I know,' said the wise little mother, "'regarding him with kind motherly eyes. "'But then you are a boy, "'and boys are expected to take care of themselves "'and look after the girls besides.' "'Carl's dark cheeks flushed over this,

Starting point is 00:14:14 "'and he answered cheerily, "'Well, all to take care of them. take good care of her. I'll go on the cars and pick her out a seat and settle all her baskets and bundles. If the whole truth were told, Carl Tucker looked forward to this performance almost as eagerly as Christy did to the journey. Every morning he drove to the depot and sent a can of milk into the city by the early train. And every morning, Wells Burton, a boy only three or four years older than himself, was there with his sleigh and pony to see his sister off to school. Carl, after his milk can was disposed of on the hand freight car, had leisure to watch Wells Burton.

Starting point is 00:14:59 How he took his sister's satchel of books and her shawl strap, and walked beside her to the steps of the car and helped her up, and sprang gayly in after her. Then Carl could see him through the windows, walking down the aisle of the car, sometimes turning a seat, then settling the books and the shawl strap on some shelf or hook that seemed to be overhead. Carl had never been near enough to investigate how it was fixed, for his strict orders were on no account to step on the cars. But he had watched Wells Burton all through the fall. He knew just how to do it, and he was burning with an eager desire to do it for Christy. Great then was his disappointment when his father appeared in his best boots and with his great coat and heavy mittens. You will have two passengers, my boy, this morning, he said cheerily.

Starting point is 00:15:57 Oh, yes, I'm going. I couldn't let my girl start out into the world alone. Now do be careful, said mother, following her treasure out of the door and down the snowy path to the great wood sleigh, where the can of milk was already tucked in among bags and blankets. Don't open the window to look at anything, and mind and don't put your head out. I've heard that it is dangerous, and remember all I told you to tell Louisa and the rest, and mind and wrap the big shawl around you well when you ride to the station, and don't you let them coax you to stay all night for anything in the world. I shouldn't sleep a wink if you did, and you'd, and and I guess maybe I'd start on foot to see what was the matter.

Starting point is 00:16:45 Between these sentences, Christy was being kissed and hugged, until what with the bundling up and the frosty air and a feeling as though she was going away off into a great cold world and might never see any of the dear people in the little old farmhouse anymore, she felt as though she should choke or maybe cry, and that would be almost worse. At last they were.

Starting point is 00:17:10 off. The mother came in and held the baby up at the window to watch the sleigh as it turned the corner and slipped out of sight. And then she said, How Mrs. Burton stands to let her girl go to the city every day to school, I don't see. Seems to me I should fly away with anxiety. But there is nothing like getting used to things. Dear me, it doesn't seem right to have the child go off on Christmas day. But then it was her birthday and all. And she'll be back to supper and be hungry enough, I'll warrant. There'll be so many dishes and silver and things at Daniels that she can't do much eating. I'll have stewed chicken and biscuits smothered in cream gravy and hot applesauce to surprise her. See if I don't. Come, Nettie dear, you're the only little girl mother has to help her today,

Starting point is 00:18:07 and we must fly around. What I should do if I hadn't Christy to help every day is more than I can think. And, thank the Lord, I haven't got to think. But she wiped away the tears as she hurried to work, for Christy had never been away from home before a whole day in her life. What, not even to school? No, not even to school. It is time I told you a little more about the Tucker family. They lived a way out west, that is, if you live in New York or Brooklyn or Maine or Boston or New Haven, or even in Cleveland or Cincinnati, you might call it a way out west, for it was in Kansas. The Tuckers went there from New England when Carl was a baby and had been working away on their bit of a farm ever since. A city had grown up about 20 miles from them, but it had had been.

Starting point is 00:19:07 had not grown where Mr. Tucker thought it would when he bought his little farm, and not even a school had come within five miles of them until lately. I am not so very sure that it would have done the Tucker children much good if there had. The truth was, there was such hard work, and so much of it, to feed all the mouths and clothe the stout little bodies, that both Christy and Carl had had to work hard all day long. You need not suppose that on this account they did not know anything. I fancy they were almost as good scholars as some who go to school year after year. Mr. Tucker had taught them, in the long winter evenings, to cipher, and had studied geography with them on a big old map of the United States that he had brought with him from New England. And Mrs. Tucker, who in her New England home, had been

Starting point is 00:20:04 the best reader and speller in the whole school, had taught them in both these branches very carefully, and so, though they had not many books to read, what they had were very carefully read and very well understood. Uncle Daniel lived in the handsome city that had sprung up twenty miles further east, and he lived an entirely different life from the Tucker's. He was Mrs. Tucker's youngest brother, was a merchant and had one of the finest stores in the fine little city, and was what the Western people called a rich man. The Tucker saw very little of them, for the reason that 20 miles in a country where there were no railroads,

Starting point is 00:20:48 are not easily gotten over, especially by busy people, and it was not yet quite a year since the branch railroad came within a mile of the Tucker's farm. Since then, the country around had begun to hold. hold up its head. A good school had been started, a neat little church had been built, and to the church the Tucker's tramped every Sabbath day. But the school they had not succeeded in getting time to attend. By next year, Mr. Tucker had said, we must try hard for it. He said it again that very morning on the road to the depot. End of Chapter 1

Starting point is 00:21:30 Chapter 2 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy The Slibervox recording is in the public domain Chapter 2 On the Cars It was very pleasant riding to the depot in the early light of the winter morning A ride of any sort was a treat to Christy There was always so much to do in the little home in the morning and when evening was closing in, that she could rarely be spared to ride to the station with Carl, so that really, for the third time in her life, did she expect to gaze on the cars?

Starting point is 00:22:08 It isn't your first ride after the iron horse by any means. Her father said to her, More than a thousand miles you rode, and you stood it well, too. We're just as good as you could be, and gave Mother and Me no trouble at all. In fact, you seemed to be anxious to amuse Carl and help him to have a good time. But you were such a little dot, I don't suppose you remember anything about it. Why, father, said Carl, she wasn't three years old then. How could she remember it? Well, I don't know. Seems to me I remember my mother, and I wasn't quite three years old when she died. But then folks remember mothers, I suppose, longer than they do anything else. They ought to. Well, Christy, my girl, keep your eyes open today and see what you can

Starting point is 00:23:01 learn. My father used to tell me, your old grandfather, you know, who died before you were born, he used to say to me, learn all you can, John, about anything and everything. There is no telling when a chance may pop up for you to use what you thought you never would use. It's a good rule. I practiced on it once, when I saw a man making a wagon. I watched just how he fixed the wheel and the holes for the nails and everything, and I said, write out loud, it isn't any ways likely that I shall ever make a wagon, but then I might as well know how you do it. And it wasn't a week after that, we broke down going across the prairie, your mother and me, and two children. And if I hadn't known just how to fix that wheel, we would have frozen to death likely enough before we could get anywhere.

Starting point is 00:23:55 Well, Christy said, laughing a little, I don't suppose I shall ever make a train of cars, but I'll learn how if I can. There's no telling, her father said, what will come of one day. They are curious things days are. Like enough, you may see something today that will help you along all your life. And for the matter of that, you might see plenty of things to hinder you all your life. That's what makes such solemn business of living. Only there's one comfort. You can shut your eyes to the evil things and say, I won't remember one of them. I'll have nothing to do with them. And the good things you can mark and lay away in your mind for future use. Well, here we are, I declare. Old Sam has trotted along pretty fast this morning. Now, my man, you may help Christy out

Starting point is 00:24:50 and get her ticket and put her on the train all right, and I'll stay here and take care of Sam. Then did Carl's face glow, but he made a pretense of objection. Why, father, I can take care of Sam if you want to go. No, no, my boy, I can trust you to look after Christy. You'll have plenty of time. They've got a lot of freight to load this morning, and you can go in and find her a seat and do it all up like a man. Sam and I will tend to each other out here. I'll just set the satchel on the steps there so you can reach it easy, and then I'll drive around to the shed. Good thoughtful father, putting quietly away his own desire to see his little girl safely launched for her first journey, putting back with resolute hand the vague fear that Carl might not help her properly or might not get off the train in time, and so harm might come to one or both of them. Well, he knew that a whole army of mites and might-nots lay all along life's journey with which to make himself miserable, and there was nothing for it but to seize the doubts with resolute hand and hold them back so that they need not cripple the young lives under his care. He remembered how, when Carl climbed the tree and swung off in a daring way among the slender-looking

Starting point is 00:26:16 bows, he had to shut his eyes and ask God to take care of the boy, and keep the father from crying out, and so helped to make his son a coward. He felt a little bit like that this morning. Only the memory of the apple tree helped. There were no trees now that Carl couldn't climb. They moved away briskly, that little man and woman, Christy running back once to give father one more kiss, and to assure him that she would certainly be in time for the evening train. And once he called after her, and ran forward to tell her to say to Uncle Daniel that he could have a cow in the spring like the one he wanted last fall. And then he went back to his horse, and the boy and girl entered the depot together. Carl went forward business written on every line of his manly face as he called and paid for a ticket,

Starting point is 00:27:11 and stood by protectingly while Christy pinned it in the corner of her handkerchief, and then pinned the handkerchief into her pocket. Then he made a little heap of the basket of apples and the basket of nuts, and the flowered satchel and the shawl, making business-like comments the while. You must have the conductor lift off these baskets for you, Christy. They always do that for folks traveling alone. You don't have to give up your ticket, you know. The conductor makes a little hole in it, then gives it back. He won't take it until you are almost at the city. And Christy, Mother said I was to remind you the last thing, not to get off the cars until you saw Uncle Daniel and knocked on the window for him to come for you. Mother worried about your getting off

Starting point is 00:27:59 alone. "'And what?' said Christy. "'Should I do if Uncle Daniel didn't get there in time, and I had to get off?' She moved closely to Carl as she spoke, and felt as though their ages were reversed, and she were ten and he was twelve, and wished with all her timid little heart that he was going along to take care of her. He had seen the cars so often. "'Oh, well,' her protector said, reassuringly, He will be there, of course. He knows just how Mother feels. But then, if he shouldn't, you needn't be one might afraid. It is just as easy to step off. I shouldn't mind it at all. I've seen Wells

Starting point is 00:28:42 Burton swing himself off with his hands in his pockets. He does it just as easy as you step down from the back stoop. There he is now. Look, Christy, the boy just turning the corner. He came leisurely down the snowy walk, whistling and a merry tune, a tall, handsome boy, dressed in a well-fitting suit of finest quality and of city make. He nodded his head good-humoredly to a man who stood leaning against the post, and lifted his cap politely to a lady who was approaching from the other end. I wonder what he is going in for today, murmured Carl, watching him with fascinated gaze. There isn't any school for a week. I heard him tell Mr. Lewis,

Starting point is 00:29:29 so yesterday. Do you suppose he can be going just for the fun of it? There was a touch of awe in Carl's voice. It seemed such a wonderful thing for a boy but a few years older than himself to be possibly riding around on the cars for the fun of it, as he sometimes rode a horse to water. As if an explanation of his wonderment, Wells Burton spoke to the lady who had addressed him. No, ma'am, our people are all in town, went in yesterday to spend Christmas at my grandfathers. I was to have gone there last evening, but I didn't get my papa's message in time, and so came home as usual and had to stay here all night. Well, no, not alone exactly. The servants were all at home, you know, but it seemed rather

Starting point is 00:30:19 lonely. Oh, no, they were not frightened. I telegraphed, of course, as soon as I found out how it was. I thought Mama might be a trifle worried. No, ma'am, I walked down this morning. It is such a bore to be always riding. Since there was nobody but myself, I thought I would have the fun of a walk in the snow. What wonderful talk was this? Carl, looking and listening,

Starting point is 00:30:46 forgot for the moment his own importance that morning, and actually gave a sigh. To hear a boy so little older than himself talked so composedly about going in town and out of town and spending the night alone and telegraphing and dismissing the handsome sleigh and ponies for the fun of a walk, it was almost too much. He looked over at the handsome, well-dressed fellow with a strange wistfulness, and the gray patches on his knees looked larger and coarser than ever before, and the red tippet around his neck seemed almost to choke him.

Starting point is 00:31:25 What a difference there was in their lives to be sure. Talk about houses. He said to Christy, speaking some of his thoughts aloud, You ought to see the inside of their house. I guess Uncle Daniels is nothing to it. Nick Barton has been there with freight, been upstairs in three or four of their rooms, carrying heavy things you know,

Starting point is 00:31:49 and he says it is perfectly splendid, the furniture and everything. He was telling me, about it last night. He says they've got two pianos or great big music things in different rooms, and books. Nick says there are books enough to fill the church he should think. I'd like to see the outside of their house, Christy said wistfully, I don't ever expect to see the inside. But Carl, in the summer, mother said you and I would walk over that way and see all around it. Do you suppose they will be there in the summer?

Starting point is 00:32:25 Of course, said Carl. They built the new house for the summer. They didn't mean to stay here in the winter at all. Nick told me last night. He says they just came down to settle it and see to things, and the sick young man took a fancy to stay, so they all stayed. Nick said he didn't think it would last long, but he guessed maybe they would stay all winter. Is there a sick young man? Christy's voice was changing from wistfulness to pity. Yes, there is. He can't walk, only on crutches, and looks pale and weak. And when he goes into the city, Nick says some great strong man takes him right in his arms and lifts him into the cars, and he is twenty years old. Poor young man, said Christy, and she envied the Burton family no more. There's the train,

Starting point is 00:33:21 said Carl, his voice full of suppressed excitement. Now, Christy, don't you touch one of those bundles. I'll tend to them all. And Christy, this in a lower tone, if anything should happen that Uncle Daniel shouldn't be there, and you shouldn't see the conductor, this boy would help you off if you should just ask him, and he could tell you just where to go to wait.

Starting point is 00:33:46 He knows all about the city, you see. Oh, said Christy, shrinking back and clinging to Carl's tippet. I couldn't speak to him, Carl. I couldn't indeed. I'd rather get off alone a great deal, and I'm most sure Uncle Daniel will be there. So am I. Don't worry. Now come. And the great moment had arrived. Carl shouldered the bundles with the air of one used to carrying many things, set them skillfully on the steps of the platform, then came down again for Christy, piloted her safely through the car, found a seat for her, discovered that there was a convenient little wire house above the seat,

Starting point is 00:34:29 where shawls and parcels were placed, arranged hers for her, and in fact did everything that an experienced traveler could have done for her comfort. He had not used his eyes for nothing. But now a brakeman was shouting, all aboard, and he must leave her to herself. He bent down for one last word, just as Wells Burton sauntered in with the air of an old traveler who had lingered outside until the last moment. Remember, Christy, if anything should happen, which there won't, it isn't likely. I shouldn't be afraid to ask that boy about things. He looks good-natured, and Christy mind and come home tonight,

Starting point is 00:35:12 even if you have to walk. There was a sudden clanging of a bell, a final howl from the locomotive, a jerk which almost threw Christy from her seat, and they were really off. How swiftly the trees and barns and fences flew past them. Everything seemed to be afraid of them and hurrying to get out of their way.

Starting point is 00:35:35 What a queer noise the cars made! And they shook so. As though they were angry, Christy thought, she and carl had often tried to imagine what riding on the cars felt like but they certainly had never succeeded by degrees as she became accustomed to the strange motion our little traveller gained courage to look about her She had a great desire to act like other people, and in order to do this, it would be necessary to find out how other people acted. Opposite her sat a man with gray hair and gold spectacles and a very large gold watch. Christy liked to look at him. He is good, she said to herself. I know he is. I wonder if he's somebody's grandpa going home for Christmas. I suppose he doesn't look like my grandpa out in New York, but I wish he did. I suppose he is taking his grandchildren some nice presents. Books, maybe. I wish he would come over here and sit

Starting point is 00:36:41 and tell me about them. This thought made her look directly in front of her to see who had the seat which she wanted for her old gentleman. It was a young man with a pale, discontented face. He seemed to be in a great hurry, for he looked at his watch three times during the few minutes that Christy watched him. Yet, when a lady who sat in front of him suddenly turned and asked him to please tell her what time it was, he started as though he were not used to being spoken to and said, What? I beg your pardon. Oh, the time. I really do not know, but I'll see. And out came the watch again. How could Christy help giggling? It did seem so funny to her. She did not mean he should hear her,

Starting point is 00:37:30 but he did, for he darted at her a quick, annoyed look, which, however, softened when he saw what a shy, ashamed little thing it was. Now, Christy was not used to stray, and felt almost afraid to speak. But she had been brought up to be careful of other people's feelings, and she was afraid she had hurt this young man. She slipped forward on her seat and touched his arm. Her voice trembled a little. If you please, sir, she said, I hope you will forgive me for laughing. I couldn't help it. It seemed so funny to look at such a lovely watch as that without knowing what it said. But I did not mean to be rude. Mother would be ashamed of me. If the young man had been bewildered when the lady spoke to him, he was too much astonished now to say a word.

Starting point is 00:38:24 He just stared for a minute at the burning cheeks, as though he felt like saying, What in the world can you be talking about? At last he spoke. There is no harm done, my little friend. I had already forgotten that you laughed. My thoughts were too busy about other things, and too sad to pay much attention to watches, or to think of anything but getting over the ground as fast as possible. We go very fast, said Christy earnestly. She wanted to comfort the young man, his voice sounded so sad. He smiled faintly. Do you think so? It seems to me that we almost creep. "'Christie caught her breath to keep from expressing too great surprise. "'It seemed to her that they almost flew.'

Starting point is 00:39:15 "'He saw the astonishment in her face and explained, "'A hundred miles from here I have a very sick friend. "'If I could get to her in time, I think I might help her. "'Do you wonder that the train seems to me to move very slowly?' "'No, sir,' said Christy, with great sympathetic eyes. If mother were sick, I should want to fly. She sat back after that, and the young man took a telegram from his pocket and seemed to study it. Then he took a newspaper and seemed to others to be reading it, but Christy saw that part of the time it was upside down.

Starting point is 00:39:56 She felt very sorry for him, and could not help glancing at him occasionally with a tender smile on her face, especially as he smiled back and seemed to like her sympathy. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Sliberbox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 3. Piling Up Stories Christy had other traveling companions who interested her very much. At the first stopping place, a lady with a little fellow hardly out of

Starting point is 00:40:34 babyhood came and took the seat just behind her. She had to twist herself around to get a view of the baby as he sat in a corner of the seat. But he was so pretty that she could hardly keep her eyes away from him. He had wonderful, large blue eyes and a laughing face, and he kept bobbing up and down and making pretty little sounds out of his rosebud mouth, and once he smiled on her as though he hadn't the least objection in the world to being better acquainted. But Christy did not dare to go near him, for he was beautifully dressed, and his mama looked as though she might be very particular about his friends. So the little girl who had left a baby at home looked the other way and tried very hard to forget how much she wanted to kiss the baby behind her. The cars were quite full, but Christy thought

Starting point is 00:41:29 that most of the people looked as though they had been obliged to get up too early and had not had a good breakfast. They feel cross, she said to herself, or else they feel afraid. I wonder if there is anything to be afraid of. Thinking which, she looked over at Wells Burton, the boy who went on the train every morning to the city. He surely ought to know by this time whether there was any cause for fear. he had his hands in his pockets and was looking out of the window and whistling. He did not look in the least afraid, neither did he look cross. What a thing it would be to know him and to have him tell all about the wonders that he saw in the city every day. He had been to the state house, she had heard, and Carl said, the stage driver said, that the governor was a friend of Mr. Burton and had been

Starting point is 00:42:24 out to see him. How much Christy would like to hear something about the governor from one who had actually heard him talk? She knew quite a good deal concerning this governor. Her father admired him very much and said he was one of the grandest temperance men in the state. And once when he went to the city to see about selling his corn, he had a story to tell about having seen the governor standing in the door of his home, and a fine-looking man her father said he was. Christy had a burning desire to see a real governor, or failing in that, as of course she expected, to hear things about him, how he acted, and what he said, and all those nice, pleasant things which she believed she could tell about people if she ever had any chances.

Starting point is 00:43:17 But she must not grumble on this morning of all others in her life. she told herself, letting the sober look go out of her face and bringing back the happy one. Here were plenty of chances. What a long story she could tell Carl about these people in the cars. And there was that baby cooing and jumping and, why yes, the darling was actually throwing kisses at her. The train stopped again. It was a very accommodating train. It seemed to stop every few minutes to pick up passengers along the road when there was no station in sight. Some junction was yelled out, but the brakeman talked in Choctaw, and of course Christy did not understand him. A gentleman came in, glanced up and down the well-filled car, then dropped into the seat beside Christy.

Starting point is 00:44:11 I suppose you will let me sit with you, he said. His voice was very pleasant, she thought, and his face was bright with smiles. Christy made haste to say, Yes, sir. Then he began to talk with her, or rather to her, for Christy said very little. He pointed out a log cabin as they flew past it, and told her the queerest little history about its being built there by a boy, less than 16 years old, for his mother, and how he worked day and night, and earned money enough to send away to Maine for her,

Starting point is 00:44:47 and how he supported her, and how they looked, lived in a nice pleasant house and had cows and horses, and the mother made butter and sold it at the highest price in market, and how she said, it can't help but be good butter, I have such a dear good boy. Christy listened and exclaimed and enjoyed. What a thing to tell father and mother and Carl. She felt that she was piling up stories to last all the rest of the winter evenings. She was very sorry when her pleasant friend arose at the very next station only a mile away and bade her good morning as politely as though she had been a grown-up lady. She wished so much that she knew his name.

Starting point is 00:45:34 It would be awkward to be always calling him, the gentleman with bright eyes that looked right through you. That seemed to be the only way she could describe him. She noticed that he stopped at Wells Burton's seat and shook hands. with him. It was quite likely that Wells knew who he was. Now, if I only knew Wells Burton, she told herself, I might ask him, but then I don't, and it isn't likely that I ever shall. The pretty baby had gone to sleep. She could not amuse herself with him, and so she turned to the window again just as they were passing a country road, down which was flying a coach filled with a

Starting point is 00:46:17 Mary Party, who, realizing that the train was beating him, all swung their hats and cheered them on. That was fun for a little time, and then as they whizzed along, she spied a comical sight that entertained her still more. But as the on-flying train left all these interesting scenes in the rear, Christy at last thought of her father's advice, and she began to see if she could learn to make a car. She twisted her head about and looked up and down and around her in so many ways that at last the sad-faced young man began to watch her. She was studying the long rope that ran through the top of the car, wondering what it was for when he spoke to her. That rope is to be pulled to stop the train. If you should chance to want it stopped for any reason, all you would have to do would be to give that a violent pull. But I earnestly hope you won't do it, for it seems to me that we stop quite often enough. I am sure I won't, Christy said, laughing a little, though really she felt somewhat startled over the bare idea of her stopping a train. Not ten minutes after that, it stopped again. What for? Nobody seemed

Starting point is 00:47:37 to know. There was no station, not even so much as a shed. There was nobody to get on or off, Yet there that ridiculous train stood, as though it had reached the end of its journey, and did not care how soon the passengers hopped out in the snow. Then you should have heard the people grumble. Christy was astonished. She did not know that grown people were ever so cross. It made her laugh to see the watches bob out, while the faces which looked at them seemed to grow crosser every minute.

Starting point is 00:48:10 "'What in the world are we stopping here for?' asked the Pace. pale-faced young man, with such anxiety in his face that Christy felt very sorry for him. What is the matter, sir? This question he asked of a gentleman who had been out on the platform looking about him. Don't know, sir, can't find out. If the officials know, they mean to keep it to themselves. Still, I guess we are going on soon. I saw signs of moving. However, they did not move. The next person who thought it was his duty to attend to matters was Wells Burton. How he happened to sit still for so long, I'm sure I don't know. He sauntered out and looked about him.

Starting point is 00:48:56 Christy turned herself in her seat to get a view from the door. What a long level stretch of road lay behind them! How queerly the track looked! Too long black snakes surrounded on every side by snow. She wished she could get a nearer view. She had been charged not to step off the train, and on no account to put her head out of the window. But what was to hinder her stepping down to that closed door and getting a nearer view of the snakes? She slipped quietly from her seat and went. It looked fully as queer as she thought it would. Wells Burton stood on the lower step of the car, also gazing about him, not at the track, but at the train. men, who seemed to be trying to decide whether it was worthwhile to go on. Suddenly, they concluded that they would. The engine gave a snort to express its approval of the plan. Several passengers who had been standing on the track jumped back again on the car and came in to see about their seats.

Starting point is 00:50:01 Then the wheels began to turn slowly around. Still, Wells Burton stood on that lowest step with his hands in his pockets. Christy looked at him, and a little shiver ran through her while she thought, if that were Carl, she would surely be tempted to reach out and pull at his coat. How could the boy be so foolish? Why did not his mother make him promise not to do so? He was coming in now, and it was quite time, for the train was well underway. How did it happen? Nobody knew. Wells Burton, least of all, And Christy, who stood looking on all the while, could never give a clear account of that part of it. She only knew that the boy she was watching, with such anxiety, turned carelessly on his heel, hands still in his pockets, and the next instant was lying a dreadful heap on the ground,

Starting point is 00:50:56 and the train was scudding on. And nobody but she, Christy Tucker, knew anything about it. She had just once thought in her mind, what if it were Carl? She gave one little squeal, which the engine swallowed so that nobody heard, and the next second she did what made all the people in the car think that the quiet-faced, well-behaved little girl had suddenly gone crazy. She gave a quick little hop, very much as she had done many a time, to reach the lowest bough of the apple tree, and caught that rope whose use she had just learned, and never surely was harder pull given to it than her stout little body. managed at that moment. In an instant, the car was full of excitement.

Starting point is 00:51:43 What, what? What does that mean? asked the fat man, who had been the last to enter the train. The handsome old gentleman looked at her gravely through his gold spectacles, and the pale-faced man who had taught her about the rope said hastily, Why, my child, you ought not to have done that. What in the world do you want? All this happened, of course, in a few seconds. And before Christy could catch her frightened breath to explain, in came the conductor looking like a summer thunder cloud. What does all this mean?

Starting point is 00:52:17 He asked gruffly, who pulled that rope? Christy took time to be glad that the train was actually stopping before she explained in a quick, frightened voice, Oh, sir, he fell just as he was stepping on the train again, and he lies in the road. do you think it killed him? Who fell? What are you talking about? said the conductor, his quick eye roving over the car in search of missing passengers. Was it the boy who sat in that seat? But before Christy could think of stammering out a,

Starting point is 00:52:51 Yes, sir, he had turned from her and rushed out of the car, and the train which had almost stopped, began to move slowly backward. I'm sure you can imagine better than I can tell you, How they all acted then. How they crowded around that end door, and all tried to see out from a space that could accommodate only two. And there was nothing to see. How they crowded around Christy and asked questions. How did it happen? Christy did not know. She was still trembling over the thought that it had happened. What was he out there for? Christy did not know. In her heart, she believed it was because he was a very foolish boy, but that she did not like to say. Was he hurt much? Christy did not know, and wished very much that she did. Is he your brother, my child?

Starting point is 00:53:46 This the handsome-faced old gentleman asked her, "'No, sir,' said Christy. She knew so much at least. Then she told who he was. "'Ah, indeed,' the gentleman said, a son of Warren H. Burton, he supposed, he had heard of him. Then there was a sudden bustle and a scurrying to get out of the way and turning over of car seats to make a bed, for they were bringing the poor fellow in. Christy was relieved to find, as they passed her seat, that his eyes were wide open, and that, though he looked very pale, he gazed about him like one who was curious to see

Starting point is 00:54:26 what the people thought of all this, and seemed just a little. little vexed over their curiosity. Oh no, he wasn't badly hurt. The conductor said, as having fixed the boy into a seat and made him as comfortable as possible, he came down the aisle on his way out. He has a sprained ankle that will shut him up for a few weeks and a bruise or two. Nothing serious, I think. How he escaped so easily is more than I can imagine. I thought, of course, he was killed. Abbott, this standing on the car steps. I wonder his father doesn't forbid it. That is just what I wonder, thought Christy, and she ventured to glance in the direction of the turned seat. Wells Burton was looking right at her, and, why, was it possible that he was

Starting point is 00:55:19 motioning to her? Her cheeks began to grow pink. What if she should walk over there to him, and he should stare at her and say, What do you want, little girl? and it should turn out that he had not thought of such a thing as motioning to her. If anything of this kind should happen, Christy felt that she must certainly sink through the floor. But he kept looking at her, and she felt almost sure that he was nodding his head at her. Poor Christy! It had not begun to take so much courage to pull that bell-rope, as it did to think of walking down the aisle and stopping to see if that boy possibly wanted her. In fact, she had pulled the bell without thinking about it at all.

Starting point is 00:56:04 But this was different, and her cheeks began to grow very hot, and she wondered whether mother would be ashamed of her for going or for not going. What would all the passengers think of her for marching down there to talk to a boy whom she had told them she never spoke to in her life? I won't go, she told herself. Not a step. why would he be motioning to me? Of course he isn't. And having settled this to her satisfaction, what did Christy do in the course of the next two minutes, but walk meekly down that aisle and stand before the turned seats?

Starting point is 00:56:44 I thought you motioned to me, she said gently. Is there anything I can do to help you? I should say you had done considerable in that line already, he answered heartily. How came you to think of anything so sensible as stopping the train. Most any girl I know would have yelled like a screech owl, and danced up and down a few times, and then finished up by fainting dead away before anybody had found out what was the matter. How came you to act so differently from the usual style? I didn't know that was the way to do, Christy said, a little glimmer of a laugh in her gray eyes. Are you much hurt? Not so very. My ankle is sprained, they say, and I feel somewhat as though I was 150 years old and had enjoyed the rheumatism for about half a century. Sit down here,

Starting point is 00:57:38 and let's talk about it. So Christy sat down on the extreme edge of the farther seat. I wish I could do something to help the pain, she said. If your ankle is broken, it ought to be set, and I almost think that the man who sits in the seat right before mine is a doctor. The ankle will keep until we get to the city. We are halfway there by this time, though we seem to have plenty of hindrances this morning. I say, how many trains of cars have you stopped in your life? I never did such a thing before, Christy said, her eyes dancing now, and I had just promised that I wouldn't stop this one, but you see there was a anything else to do. Well, I'll tell you what I think. I think it was about as plucky a thing to do

Starting point is 00:58:29 as I ever heard of in my life. Hello, we are stopping again. This train has got so used to stopping that it can't go more than a mile without trying it. Can this be the junction? Just take a look out, will you, and report? There are four rows of tracks instead of two, said Christy, and they go criss-cross. Then it is the switch, Wells exclaimed, and there was such a peculiar sound to his voice that Christy turned from the window to look at him. The switch, she repeated, what does that mean? It means that the express train passes us here, and that just about now she is rushing over those rails where I lay a few minutes ago. Here she comes.

Starting point is 00:59:16 End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy The Slibrovox recording is in the public domain Chapter 4 A Baby Left on the Train A roar of machinery A succession of dizzying flashes past the window Then sudden relief from the deafening noise And the express train had gone on its way

Starting point is 00:59:47 Christy looked at Wells Burton His face was very grave, and she thought it a trifle paler than before. Did you know that? He asked, nodding his head in the direction of the departed train. Did I know what? That the express train was almost due, and would come thundering over me so soon? Christy shivered. I did not know anything about the express train, she said.

Starting point is 01:00:15 Well, you could not have done any quicker work if you had known. It is queer I didn't think of it. I thought of almost everything else while I lay there. It was the queerest thing that ever happened to me. I can't think how it happened. I've stood on that very step fifty times this winter, and never thought of such a thing as slipping. I suppose there was ice on my boots. Nice looking boot, isn't it? He said, glancing down at it. The conductor made short work of getting it off with that sharp knife of his. Look here, I don't know why I keep talking about boots and things, instead of trying to thank you and show my gratitude in some way. Boys don't know how to do that sort of thing anyhow. You ought to see my mama, or she ought to see you. Mothers know how

Starting point is 01:01:05 to say what they feel. I don't want to be thanked, said Christy, her cheeks flushing. I didn't do anything. No, only saved my life and showed more pluck and common sense and quick wit than any fourteen girls put together ever had before. You see, if you had wasted twenty-five seconds, this train couldn't have run back to pick me up without running into the express, and I should just have had to lie there and be crushed. I couldn't move any more than if I had been dead. In fact, I was dead when they picked me up, "'Faunted, you know. But before I fainted, I knew just what had happened and where I was and what was likely to happen next. I didn't think of this express that had just rushed by, but I thought of the up-train, due in half an hour, and I knew there wasn't a house nor a shed within a mile. Did you ever come to a place where you thought you could see pretty plainly that you were not going to live but a few minutes more?' Christy said, and the doctor gave me up, and mother thought I was dying, and they told me that I couldn't live but a few minutes. And what did you do? The blood rolled in waves over Christy's face and neck.

Starting point is 01:02:27 It was rather hard to talk to a strange boy who might laugh at her about one of the most solemn experiences of her life. She was not used to talking with boys, only Carl, and he never asked such straight-out questions about things and waited for answers. Something must be said, and what should be said but the truth. Was she ashamed of it? Christy wondered. She dropped her gray eyes, and her voice was low but clear as she said, I prayed. There was no sound of a laugh or a sneer in answer.

Starting point is 01:03:04 Yes, he said, nodding his head as though he understood. So did I. I wonder if they all do when they get into downright trouble. I have heard that people did, bad men, you know, and all sorts of people. It seems sort of mean, and, well, I don't suppose girls use such words, but what we boys would call sneaking. Don't you think so? But Christy, in her confusion, did not understand him. Did he mean that boys would call it sneaking to pray? What is? Why, living along all your life without thinking of such a thing as praying until just when you get into trouble, and then praying with all your might, and getting helped out, and going on just the same as

Starting point is 01:03:50 you did before. Oh, said Christy, relieved. Why, yes, I think that would be mean, but then, real honest people don't do it. They don't? What do they do, then? Weren't you honest? Yes, said Christy gravely, I was, but I didn't go on just as I did before. Everything was just as different as could be. What do you mean? What was different? Why, I myself. I didn't feel the same, nor do the same. I don't think I can explain what I mean. Didn't you pray to get well? A little, and I prayed to be made ready to die if I was to die, and to, not to be afraid, you know. Well? And pretty soon, the feeling afraid all went away, and I didn't think it made much difference whether I got well or not. And for days and days, nobody thought I would. But you did get well?

Starting point is 01:04:55 Oh, yes, I did, of course, or else I should not be here now. And at this point, Christy could not help giving a little laugh. Wells did not laugh at all. He looked grave and perplexed. That is just what I said, he repeated. You prayed to be gotten out of trouble, and you got out, and then things went on as before. But things didn't go on as before, persisted Christy. I asked not to be afraid to die, to have a heart given to me that could trust Jesus anyhow, whether he wanted me to live or die, and I got it, so of course things were different. You got it. Why, yes, yes. You, Yes, all in a minute everything seemed changed. I can't tell you how, but then I know it was so. When was that? That I was sick? It was a year ago last December, just a little bit before Christmas.

Starting point is 01:05:55 And the difference lasts? Oh, yes, it lasts, said Christy, with a curious little smile. Every day when I'm working, it all comes back, you know, in a quick little think. She began to think that this was the strangest boy to talk she had ever heard of. He was even stranger than some of the boys in story books. Well, he said after a few moments of silence, I prayed to be made ready to die too, for when this train rattled off, I didn't see any other way. It didn't seem probable that anybody would come along that lonesome road

Starting point is 01:06:33 on Christmas Day in time to save me, and I meant to be honest, but I didn't think of such a thing as it's lasting if I got out of the scrape. Christy looked puzzled. How could it last to take you to heaven if it wouldn't last any when you were not to go to heaven yet? She asked. And then Wells Burton laughed, though the pain in his ankle immediately made heavy wrinkles come back into his face. It looks like playing a very poor game all own. He said, said, but I thought I meant it. But if you really did mean it, you gave yourself away to him, and if you are honest, how can you take yourself back? To this he made no answer for several seconds, and indeed what he said next can hardly be called an answer. Then you are a Christian.

Starting point is 01:07:29 The red came back in swift waves to Christy's cheeks. She had been so interested as to hardly remember that the talk was partly about herself, but this plain question, which was also an exclamation, brought back her embarrassment. "'I think I am,' she said hesitatingly, and then, ashamed of such witnessing, added boldly, "'Yes, I know I am.' "'And I know that I am not,' he said with a little laugh. After a few minutes of silence, during which Christy was wondering whether the proper thing to do now would be to go back to her seat, he spoke again. Isn't it time we were

Starting point is 01:08:13 introduced? I know you very well indeed. You are Christy Tucker, aren't you? And the boy whom I meet at the depot almost every morning, who will not look at me nor give me a chance to speak to him, is your brother, Carl. I asked the stage driver all about him. What is the use in his not speaking to me? He is only 10, said Christy in apology. And I am only 14, or halfway between that and 15. What difference does four or five years make? When I get to be 40, it won't hinder our being good friends because he is only 35 or so. There are not so many people to be friendly with up there where we live that we can afford to waste any of them.

Starting point is 01:09:00 I looked over at your class that day I stayed to Sunday school, and thought you were having a nice time. We were, said Christy with animation. Mr. Keith is splendid. Wells made a gesture of disagreement. I don't like ministers as a rule, he said. They always pitch into a fellow so. I don't know what that is, said Christy simply,

Starting point is 01:09:26 but everyone likes Mr. Keith, that is, everyone but bad men. Of course, they don't like him because he makes him, because he makes them remember that they are bad and they want to forget it. Do you suppose that is the reason why I don't like him? Wells asked with a comical little look. And then, his face growing grave, I'll tell you a queer thing, though.

Starting point is 01:09:50 Back there, while I lay across those rails and thought I was done with things, I didn't even think of Mama in the sense that I wanted her there that minute. The only one that I thought of was this Mr. Keith. I wished for him not to pull me off of the track, you know, which would have been the reasonable thing to do if he had been there, but to pray for me, and I never saw him but twice in my life. I'll tell you what made me think of that, though. Do you remember a Sunday when they thought that Allen Boy was going to die? Well, I was in church that Sunday, and Mr. Keith prayed for him, and I thought then that if I were going to die, I should like to have Mr. Keith pray for me.

Starting point is 01:10:34 Aren't we going most uncommonly slow? By the way my foot twinges, I should say that we had been about 17 hours so far reaching the city, and must be 12 or 14 miles away yet. I declare if we are not stopping again. What for I'd like to know? There is no station here. What for, indeed? That questions seemed to be on the faces of all the passengers. Christy looked out of the window, so did everybody else except Wells Burton, who could not lift himself up to do so. Where is it? he asked. It is nowhere, answered Christy, with a little laugh. We seem to be just in the road. There isn't a house to be seen, and there is snow everywhere where there isn't mud. "'No, I don't think there is any station. At least I don't see any depot.'

Starting point is 01:11:30 "'I know there isn't a station nor a depot,' said Wells confidently, "'unless it has been built since last night.' "'What's the matter, sir?' "'This to a man who had just been out to hear the news.' "'Track washed away,' said the man, using as few words as possible and looking gloomy. "'Washed away, why, how much of it?' it? More than I know, some say half a mile, and some say five miles, enough of it to keep us standing here longer than we want to, I guess. Where is here? Are we near the station? No, two miles out.

Starting point is 01:12:11 And is it right here that the track has washed? No, half a mile or so up the track. They sent signals down to us. Thank you, sir, said Wells, and the man moved on. "'Here's a go,' the boy said gravely. "'Or no, it isn't. It's a standstill. And that slang, I suppose. My mother hates slang, and so does yours, I presume, mothers all do. I beg your pardon for using it. But I do wonder how long we are to be stopped here. If it is going to be long, I'm afraid I shall wish for a surgeon to cut off my foot.' "'Does it pain you very much?' asked Christy, said. "'What?' sympathetically. Well, I've had things that felt pleasanter. These heavy rains and then the thaw

Starting point is 01:13:01 have played the mischief with the railroad track. Father said he was afraid there would be trouble. But I just wish they had waited until after Christmas. I'm afraid you and I will be late to our Christmas dinner. I'm sorry for that poor man, said Christy, twisting herself to get a glimpse of the sad-faced young man who had his watch in his hand at this moment. There is a sick friend whom he thinks he could help if he could only get there in time. See how troubled he looks. Poor fellow, said Wells, sympathetically. But the next moment Christy's attention was turned elsewhere.

Starting point is 01:13:41 She turned herself completely around and gazed up and down the car. Finally, she stood up on tiptoe for a moment. What's the trouble? asked Wells. Lost something? but by way of answer she turned toward him her face full of anxiety and asked where is that baby's mother what baby the lady with the baby got off at the last station why no she didn't i see the baby as plain as can be lying on the little bed she made for him he is fast asleep but i don't see her anywhere i tell you she got off said wells growing earnest I happened to be looking right at her. I noticed her particularly because she had a shawl like mammas, and I wondered if she looked like mama, and I stared at her a good deal to find out.

Starting point is 01:14:37 Oh yes, she stepped off the cars and stepped into a mud puddle and got her feet wet and looked cross. I raised myself up to see her do it and hurt my foot by the means, and then I looked cross. Then, said Christy, her face full of anxiety, not to say terror, then she has left her baby. Unlikely as it sounds, this appeared to be the case. In the course of a few minutes, somebody else began to be interested in the same thought. That was no other person than the baby himself. He began to rub his eyes and yawn and twist about on his narrow bed in a very dangerous way. At last he was only held on by the cane of a gentleman who built a fence before baby by holding up the cane. Then he looked about him in a savage manner and asked, Where is this child's mother? Where indeed? That was just what baby wanted to know,

Starting point is 01:15:40 and he began to give warning little wimper's which said, I'll cry in a way to astonish you if somebody doesn't come and attend to me very soon. What was to be done? Christy looked about her very much startled and discovered that there was but one lady in the car. She was young and pretty, dressed in velvet, and looked as though she thought babies were a mistake and a nuisance. Madam, said the man with the cane, glowering at her. Do you know anything about the child's mother? How should I? asked the velvet-dress lady, and she immediately went back to her seat. side library book. Then the baby gave a warning yell. Christy started up. That baby is afraid,

Starting point is 01:16:29 she said to Wells. The next thing, he will cry so hard that nobody can stop him. I'm going over there. Do you know him? asked Wells, looking at the baby as though he would much rather undertake to pacify a cross dog. Oh no, I don't know who he is at all, but he begins to cry as though he was afraid, and if it was our baby at home, I don't know what I should do. With this rather mixed-up sentence, she hurried away, and in another moment was bending over the baby who had not fully decided whether to be angry or grieved over the strange treatment he was receiving. He had his lips in a dreadful pucker, and the squeal he was prepared to give would, I think, have astonished all the people. But he changed his mind when he

Starting point is 01:17:20 saw Christy and gave her an astonished stare and made no objection when she raised him with cooing words and cuddled his face to hers. Is he your brother? inquired the gentleman with the cane. You shouldn't leave him alone in that way. It is very careless. He might have rolled off and knocked his brains out. Oh, no, sir, said Christy, who by this time could not help smiling to think how many people she was expected to claim as relatives. I don't know who he is, poor baby, and I can't think what has become of his mother. Then she kissed him.

Starting point is 01:18:01 End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Sliberovoc's recording is in the public domain. Chapter 5. Where is Baby's mother? That is just what baby did not know, and in spite of the kiss, he made up his mind to cry. It was very distressing.

Starting point is 01:18:29 Christy walked up and down in the bit of a space and cuddled the poor fellow and whispered loving words to him and cooed a lullaby into his ear, but he would have none of them. He wanted just one thing, and that was his mother's face. The gentleman began to interest themselves in the matter, though the velvet-dressed young lady was still deep in her, side library, only taking time to dart a frown at baby for being so noisy. One and another

Starting point is 01:19:00 asked who had been with the child and what had become of her, and Wells told his story about seeing her leave the car at the last station. A case of desertion, said one man, looking severely at Christy, as though she might be the cause, but she looked back at him out of very cross eyes and was glad that she did. The idea of any mother deserting her baby. Presently came the conductor, and two or three people tried to talk to him at once. I noticed the lady leave the car, he said. She asked me how much time there would be. She has got herself left, I presume. Women are always doing it. She stayed to tie her bonnet in another kind of a knot, or something equally important, and she is probably fuming away at the station at this moment, calling the car's all sorts of names as though they were to blame for her silliness.

Starting point is 01:19:58 "'And when can she get to baby, sir?' "'It was Christy's eager, sorrowful voice that asked the question. "'She knew now which she pitied the most, and that was baby's mother.' The conductor turned and looked at her. "'More than I know,' he said shortly. "'Do you belong to her? Are you the child's nurse?' oh no sir said christie and this time she had much ado to keep from smiling outright i never saw him before but she cuddled him to her as she spoke and he put one fat arm around her neck and gazed about him

Starting point is 01:20:37 well said the conductor he seems to take to you and that is fortunate there's no telling when we will get out of this it is a bad mess then up spoke wells burton but conductor the lady can get back to her baby can't she on the nine o'clock accommodation when the nine o'clock accommodation comes along i dare say she can replied that gentleman in a very significant tone but there's no telling when that will be why can't it come up before we leave here will it have to wait at the last station until we go on two gentlemen asked these two questions and Christy waited eagerly for their answer, while Baby, the most interested party, gave all his attention to the blue ribbon on her hair and tried to poke it in his mouth and ruin it, ungrateful fellow that he was. If it doesn't have to wait any longer than until we go on,

Starting point is 01:21:40 it may be thankful, said the conductor. The rumor is that the bridge went down just after we crossed it. If that is so, we don't know. when another train will get over. Then you should have heard the exclamations of dismay. What, the high bridge, went down, did you say? Why, it isn't twenty minutes since we passed over. I thought you moved over very slowly, as if things were shaky. Can't you get a telegram conductor and learn the truth of the report? Not very well, sir, while we lie here. If we ever reach another station, we shall have a telegram, I presume.

Starting point is 01:22:21 Meantime, there isn't any particular danger of our being run over from either direction, so far as I can see. And when can we hope to get on? It was the pale-faced young man, with his watch in his hand, who asked this question. Christy thought his face grew paler yet as he listened to the answer. Well, sir, that's telling. Perhaps in half an hour, perhaps not under two hours. We don't really know the extent of the damage yet. Our men have gone forward to discover,

Starting point is 01:22:55 and they will send workmen from the city as soon as they can. But everything is out of gear this morning. There has been trouble in all directions, and the railroad hands can't be everywhere at once. There's no telling what the delay will be. Of course, we hope we can hurry things up. Dear, dear, what a state of things! Disheartening as it all, what? because Christy could not help being astonished to see how cross the people were. They act exactly as though they thought the roads and the bridges had done it on purpose to vex them. She told Wells, as she obeyed the motion of his hand, and brought the baby to the turned seat in front of him. Do you suppose they really know of anybody who is to blame?

Starting point is 01:23:42 Why, no, said Wells thoughtfully. I presume not. They just fret and say, it is pretty business, and all that sort of thing, because that is the natural way to act when folks are disappointed. Isn't that the way you do when things don't go to suit you? Christy's head drooped a little, and the pretty pink flush began to come on her cheek. Once I used to do it to things, she said slowly, with a marked emphasis on the word things. I would slam the door when I was cross about something, and I would scold the kitchen fire for not burning, and I would put the wood down on the hearth with a great bang. But once I lost a penny under the carpet, and I scolded about that,

Starting point is 01:24:31 but that was when I was alone. The minute Mrs. Briggs came in to see Mother, or even the market man, stopped to see if we wanted anything, I would shut the door gently, and lay the wood on the hearth just as softly as I could, and I worked half an hour once, helping Susan Briggs open her desk, and never thought of being cross, because I was ashamed, you know, to have them see me do any other way. Now, shouldn't you think these people would feel kind of ashamed to grumble before one another? But the only answer that Wells seemed to have ready for this was an absent-minded laugh. He was thinking of one part of Christy's sentence that he wanted to have explained. "'Look here,' he said.

Starting point is 01:25:17 "'You say you used to be cross at things. Do you mean that you've given even that up?' Christy gravely bowed her head. "'I'm most cured of it,' she said softly. "'I think it is only once in a long while now that I forget. I was so in the habit of it that it was dreadfully hard work. You see, this was after I had begun to try to do right, and I thought if I kept pleasant before people, there wouldn't be anything wrong in slamming doors a little, when nobody was there to see, and in scolding the fire, because it couldn't have its feelings hurt, you know, but when I found out that it was almost worse to do that than to be crossed to people, I tried hard to give it up. You are talking Greek to me. Well said, good-nation.

Starting point is 01:26:08 Richard Lee, but the tone said that he was very much interested and should really like to understand Greek if he could. What possible harm could there be in slamming a door or growling at a fire so long as nobody heard you? I should say it was a safe and comfortable way of working off ill humor. I'm sure I wish some of the peppery folks I know would try that fashion. What made you think there was anything bad about it? I didn't find it out. myself, Christy said, her eyes drooping again. You see, I got into trouble. I wanted some things that I couldn't have, and I wanted to do some things that I couldn't do, and I thought about them until they made me feel cross half the time. I slammed all the doors I could, and the fire needed

Starting point is 01:26:58 scolding every time I went near it, and I—' Here there was a little hesitation, and the cheeks grew Pinker. I even got to scolding at Nettie when she was most asleep and couldn't hear me. Real hateful things I said to her about being the hardest baby to get to sleep that ever was born, and about taking all my time so that I couldn't study nor knit nor anything. I never would have said it to her if she had been awake, and I used to kiss her as soon as I had tucked her in the crib, but for all that I grumbled at her a great deal. At last it got so bad that I knew I was getting to be cross all the time, and I couldn't seem to stop it, and one day I told the minister about it.

Starting point is 01:27:46 You did! Wells Burton's exclamation had a good deal of admiration in it. The truth was, he began to think that Christy must be a very brave girl. He told himself that he would rather stop twenty trains of cars than to go to the minister and have a talk about his faults. But Christy believed he thought she was a simpleton. Nevertheless, she meant to tell just the truth. Yes, I did, she said steadily. One day he came to see us, and Mother wasn't at home. The baby at Briggs's had burned himself, and they sent for Mother, and Father had gone to the mill, and there wasn't anybody at home, only just Nettie and me,

Starting point is 01:28:31 and I had been real cross to her. I shook her a little speck, not to hurt, you know, but then it was horrid. I felt so ashamed of myself that I cried. And just then the minister came. He asked me right away what was the matter, and that made me cry again. And then, you know, I almost had to tell him. It was something he said that has helped me ever since. Do you mind telling me what it was? Wells Burton's voice was so gentle that she gave up the fancy that he was making fun of her. Why, it was something that I knew all the time, and I've often wondered that I did not think of it myself. I told him that I had no trouble in being pleasant before people, because I would be so ashamed to have them see me looking cross, and that I kept my words pretty near right, but I couldn't manage my thoughts. And he asked me how I thought I should act if Jesus should come to our house as he used to at Mary and Martha's. I told him that I knew then I should act just as well as I could. Then he asked me if I did not remember that Jesus had come to our

Starting point is 01:29:46 house and was staying there all the time and heard all my thoughts as well as my words. You don't know how it made me feel for a moment. I felt just scared. It seemed to me that I could remember all times that I had banged the door and rattled the wood, and Jesus looking at me. What made me most ashamed was that I had tried to behave myself before Mrs. Briggs and the other neighbors, and never minded how I behaved before Jesus, just as though I thought more of them than I did of him. Hmm, said Wells, I don't pretend to understand. I don't see how that helped you a bit. Of course, could realize that Jesus was listening to what he said, it would make a big difference all the time. There are 50,000 things a fellow says and does that he wouldn't do for the world.

Starting point is 01:30:43 But the trouble is, you can't realize it. A person that you can see and hear is very different from one that you can't see in here. Now that's the truth, and I don't see how anybody can say it isn't. Do you mean to have me understand that you are as sure of Jesus' being? being near you as you are that I sit on this seat talking to you? I'm just as sure of it, Christy said, with a quiet positiveness that went a great way toward proving the truth of her words. But then it is a different feeling, of course. I can't explain it to you. I don't know how. I suppose if you were to talk with our minister, he would make it all

Starting point is 01:31:26 plain. But I know this. The more you pray, the surer you get that Jesus stays right beside you and listens to all you say. I'm a great deal surer of it than I used to be, and it keeps growing surer all the time. Meantime, you are wondering what that baby was about, and why he endured so long a conversation that he did not understand. The truth is that in telling you about the conversation, I have left out the number of times that Christy lifted him from one shoulder to the other, and the sweet cooing words she continually put in between her answers, and the number of times Welles snapped his fingers for baby's benefit, and how he took his watch from its chain and gave it to Christy to hold so that the baby could see it.

Starting point is 01:32:18 But at last, baby's patience was entirely gone. He would have nothing more to do with the watch, and he pushed Christy's hand away savagely when she tried to pat his cheek. He had occasionally given some very loud yells as specimens of what he could do, and now he went at it in earnest. In vain Christy tossed and cooed and patted. He yelled the louder. The lady with the seaside story was very much annoyed. She shot angry glances over at the perplexed little maid, and at last she said, I should think if you cannot keep that child quiet,

Starting point is 01:32:59 it would be well for you to let him alone. Perhaps the lady will take him for a while. Your arms must be very tired. This was Wells' suggestion, and he enjoyed the look of disgust on her face as she said, I know nothing about babies, but I think it is an imposition on the traveling public to have one screaming in this fashion.

Starting point is 01:33:22 Then, said Wells, Would you, in this case, recommend choking, or what would you advise us to do? You are a very impudent boy, the lady said, and she went back to her book with red cheeks. Christy could not help laughing a little, though she was not sure but the lady was correct. And the baby yelled.

Starting point is 01:33:47 Not another lady among the passengers. The last one had left the car at that unfortunate station where the poor mother stopped. The pale-faced young man came forward next. He did not look cross, only sorry. Poor fellow, he said to the baby, You think you are having a hard time, I suppose, but there are worse trials in life than yours. What would he say to me do you think? I might take him for a walk up and down the car and rest your arms. But the perverse baby yelled like a lunatic the moment the thing was attempted, and utterly refused to leave his small protector's side. He shows good taste, said the pale young man with a wan smile. He probably sees that I know very little about babies.

Starting point is 01:34:40 Then the nice old gentleman decided to show his skill. What would he say to a sugar plum do you suppose? He asked, bending kindly over Christy and showing around white candy. He'll be sure to approve of that, Wells said, but Christy hesitated, and a lovely color glowed on her cheeks. If you please, sir, she said timidly. I don't know whether his mother would like it. They don't let some babies have candy at all. Mother thinks it is bad for them. Ah, yes, he said.

Starting point is 01:35:17 I ought to know it by this time. I'm always getting into disgrace with my daughters by bringing the stuff to their babies. They don't allow it at all, and you are a wise little woman to think of it. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Sliberovacs recording is in the public domain. Chapter 6. The Ugly Looking House You have no idea what a life that baby led them, unless you have a little brother or sister at home. I suppose you have but little idea how a baby can cry, who is very tired and hungry, and a good deal frightened. For by this time, he began to think at the strangest thing in life that his mother did not come and attend to him. Christy took a hint from the pale young man and began to walk up and down the car with baby,

Starting point is 01:36:18 in her arms, but he was much heavier than the baby at home, and it took very little of this exercise to make her young back ache. Wells looked on sympathetically, as well as a little indignantly, unable to take a step, or even to twist himself about so that he could take the baby in his arms, he told himself that if he were that young man, he would see if he would not carry that baby a while, and not let a little girl tug with it all the time. Suppose he did yell, what of it? That was no more than he was doing now every time he thought of it. He should like to see himself scared away by the crying of a baby.

Starting point is 01:37:03 As for the literary young lady, words could not express his contempt for her. He showed it by curling his lip most expressively whenever he looked in her direction. but she, having once more buried herself in her book, lost all this. I know what the poor little fellow would like, said Christy, returning to Wells during a lull. He is so hungry that he can't help crying. He keeps stuffing both his little hands into his mouth. They are always hungry when they do that. His mother had some milk in a bottle for him in that little satchel she carried in her hand.

Starting point is 01:37:44 I saw her offer him some once, but he wasn't hungry just then, and pushed it away. I just wish she had left the bag when she went away, but she carried it on her arm. Probably it had her pocketbook in it as well as a bottle of milk. Wells said, and then, I'm sorry for the poor little chap if he is hungry. We all stand a fair chance to be in the same fix if we stay here long. "'I have cookies and things,' said Christy thoughtfully. "'But they won't do for babies, you know.'

Starting point is 01:38:21 "'I don't know a thing about it,' declared Wells. "'But I should think that folks would rather have them eat cookies than starve.' "'There was no denying this, so Christy only laughed. "'But as yet she did not resort to cookies. "'She thought of the rows of milk pans ranged on the shelves at home if she only had one of them. She thought of the milk can that had started from home with them. What a pity that its stopping place had been one station back.

Starting point is 01:38:54 Away over in the fields, no other house near it, stood what looked like a bit of a farmhouse. Christie wondered whether they had milk there and whether somebody couldn't go there and try to get some. She mentioned the wonder to Wells. It's a forlorn little place, he said, trying to raise himself on one elbow to see it, frowning deeply with pain as he did so. I don't believe they have any milk there that is fit to drink. Besides, how could a body get to it?

Starting point is 01:39:27 They would get up to their ears in mud. Those fields look as though they had no bottom to them. My, how quick I would skip over there if I had the use of my feet. Christy could not help smiling again at the apparent contradictions in his words, but she kept looking out at the little house between her soothings of the baby. "'I most believe I will try it,' she said at last. "'Something has got to be done. This baby is almost starved. I suppose that he was so busy gazing about him this morning that he could not eat his breakfast.' "'You?' said Wells.

Starting point is 01:40:08 Regarding her with surprise mingled with respect? Why, you would stick fast in the mud. I don't believe that mother of yours would like such doings at all. Christy looked down at her trim new shoes. She so seldom had a new pair that these were treasures. A little nicer they were than any she ever had before. She remembered, too, her mother's off-repeated charge, on no account to step off the train

Starting point is 01:40:37 until they reached the city. Yet she said resolutely, My mother always likes me to do things that ought to be done. I think I am going to try it. I don't see another person who would be likely to go. Suppose you try the young lady in the velvet gown, said Wells. She has almost finished her story. Then he and Christy both laughed. Her face sobered at once, and she began to take anxious looks through the cars. The old gentleman was not to be thought of for a moment. His hair was too white to think of his taking a tramp like that. There was the pale-faced man, but she looked regretfully at his shining boots and beautiful pantaloons. The mud would certainly ruin them. And what a plight he would be in

Starting point is 01:41:29 when they reached the city. She almost thought he would go if she were to ask him, but it did seem too bad to do so. Oh, baby, baby, she said in a soft cooing tone, couldn't you possibly lay your head on my shoulder and take a nice little nap? Then perhaps the train will go on in a few minutes, and maybe the bridge isn't down at all, and maybe the nine o'clock train will come in all right, and bring your mama, and she will have a bottle full of nice milk for you. But the baby was utterly disgusted with this suggestion. He put no faith in any of it. He angrily bobbed up his head as often as Christy tried to cuddle it in her neck. He snatched at her hair and tried to pull the very braids out by the roots. He scratched at her face, and in various other ways conducted himself like a tiger. Well's meantime,

Starting point is 01:42:29 seeing Christy glance toward the house in the fields, with a resolution of some sort growing on her face, made a suggestion. There is one thing you want to think of. Whoever tramps off there runs the risk of having this train skip off and leave them. I dare say we may go in a little while. Trains are hardly ever detained as long as they think they are going to be. Once, when we were east, there was something the matter with the track, and the conductor didn't think we would go on under three hours.

Starting point is 01:43:01 And father let my sister Estelle and I go and take a walk. and in just half an hour that train went on, and Estelle and I had no end of a time getting with our folks again, concluded Wells very wisely. This story, like many other things in this world, had an exactly opposite effect from what was intended. I shall go myself, said Christy positively. To herself she said, I shall never ask that poor young man to go and run the risk of missing the train when he is in such a hurry, and the rest of these people look as though they wouldn't do it for anything, and as though I would rather go three times than to ask them. What will you do if the train takes a notion to go on, said Wells, dismayed for her.

Starting point is 01:43:53 Why, said Christy, if this train can go on, another can come or go sometime, you know, and I could wait for it and take it. Would they take my ticket, on another train? The startled tone in which she asked this question made Wells understand that her ticket was a matter of importance to her. He set her mind at rest about that, and then came to the front with a new idea. Have you a return ticket? When were you coming back anyhow? Tonight, said Christy, laughing in spite of the troubles of the way. Do you suppose I shall get there in time to come back? What did you say about a return ticket? Odd I to have one? Why, that is the way they generally do, this old traveler explained. Buy a round-trip ticket, you know, it saves 10 or 15 cents,

Starting point is 01:44:49 but it is of no consequence. You can just as well buy one at the city station if you ever get there. Christy looked down at her ticket with a perplexed and sorrowful air. It was not round, If it ought to have been, and if anything that she could have done about it, would have saved her fifteen cents, she was very sorry, for money was of great consequence to her. I did not know about it, she said meekly, and felt that she did not yet know, and that, by and by, when things were quieter, she would ask Wells why it was that round tickets were cheaper, and why they did not give her one. time, the poor discouraged baby had settled into a restless slumber. Christy had been watching his eyes shut while she walked slowly back and forth in the car. She did not believe he would sleep long. He was too hungry for that. And now her resolution was formed. I'm going over there to try to get some milk, she said firmly. If somebody would make a nice little pillow of my shawl, I could lay the

Starting point is 01:46:01 poor baby down. Do you suppose the old gentleman with the gold glasses would see that he did not roll off the seat? Why do you pick him out? asked Wells, amused over the whole thing and much disgusted that he could not help. Give me the shawl. I can roll it up. I haven't sprained my hands at least. Now lay the young scamp down and go and give the old gentleman our compliments and say that he is appointed special guard with orders not to fall asleep at his post under pain of being scratched. Christy's eyes were brim full of fun, but she went over to the old gentleman with a gravely gentle face and made known her petition. A what? He said, coming back from some daydream with a sigh. Oh yes, certainly, he would keep the poor little fellow from rolling off. But if he cries, he said

Starting point is 01:46:59 anxiously. I shall not know what to do. I never could do anything with babies when they cried. Christy could only hope that this one would not cry, and having established the guard where she wanted him, she prepared to set off. By this time, Wells had another idea. He had been fumbling in his pocket, and now drew out his handsome Russia leather pocket book. Just let me furnish the funds for the youngster, won't you, since I can't help in any other way. Will I need money? Christy asked, stopping with a startled air to look into his face. Her mother lived in a little house back in the fields, but she would never think of taking money in return for a little milk to be given to a hungry baby.

Starting point is 01:47:50 Why, of course, said Wells. That is, if you get any milk, which I doubt, the house doesn't look like it from here. But you will have to buy a pitcher or something to put it in. They won't trust you. They'll think you are a tramp, you know. Offer to pay them well, and the little chap will fare a good deal better than he will if you ask a favor. As he spoke, he held out a crisp bank note. Christy took it slowly with a bright glow on her cheeks. It was a $5 bill. She had never had so much money in her hands before, and to tell the truth she did not quite like to have this in her hands. She had to remind herself that the milk was not for her, and that she certainly had not money enough of her own to pay for it, and get back home with. Just then, wise little woman that she

Starting point is 01:48:47 was, came into play some of the good sense which her good mother had tried so hard to teach her. She handed back the crisp new note. Give me something smaller, please, she said pleasantly. I don't like to carry so much, nor to offer it. They would think I was a very suspicious tramp. Milk is only ten cents a quart, and a pitcher or a tin pale does not cost much. It was Wells's turn to blush now. He plainly saw that she had been the more business-like of the two,

Starting point is 01:49:21 and crumpling the bill in his hand, he produced some shining silver pieces in its place, and Christy went. Oh, but that mud was deep. How quickly were the trim new shoes be smeared all over with a thick yellow plaster? Worse than that, they were getting too heavy to carry. It was as much as she could do to drag them from one bog to the other, for the road seemed to be made up of a succession of bogs. Once she came to a little pool of muddy water, came to it before she saw it,

Starting point is 01:49:57 splashed right in and soaked her feet away above the ankles, and spattered the pretty dress. Dear, dear, if Mother could see her now, what a thing it was to go off on a Christmas ride. It was a long walk, much longer than it had seemed from the car window. With every step, the difficulty of getting on increased, and once she had really to lean against a friendly post that seemed set up to mark the lot, and tried to dig the mud from her shoes. How surely they were ruined! And they were to have been her Sunday best for a year. There was another sad thought connected with all this. What a plight she would be in by the time she reached Uncle Daniels! And Mother had taken

Starting point is 01:50:45 such pride in having her so neatly dressed with a new-fashioned jacket and all. What with the mud and the weariness and the anxiety, she could hardly keep the tears from falling as they rushed into her eyes. But she shut them back resolutely and said aloud, I know I am doing right. That baby will get sick if he don't have his milk. And a baby is worth more than ten pairs of shoes and a new dress besides. Now she was fairly at the gate of the little ugly-looking house. In a minute more she would be inside. No, she wouldn't. Bow, wow, wow, wow. Here was a fellow who disputed the way with her, and came suddenly towards her as if the least that he should think of doing was to swallow her at once. Now it happened that Christy,

Starting point is 01:51:40 unusually brave about most things, was dreadfully afraid of a dog. She gave a pitiful little shriek, and the next thing she knew she was picking herself up out of the meanest-looking mud hole she had seen in her trip. The dog had retired to a safe distance, and with his head hung down and his silly little tail between his legs, was receiving a lecture from a woman with a frowsy head, and sleeves rolled up at the elbow, who appeared in the door of the little house. "'Aren't you ashamed of yourself?' she said, shaking her head. a decent dog you are to be cutting up such tricks. Come along, child, what do you want?

Starting point is 01:52:23 There's no kind of need of your being afraid of that there dog. There ain't a bigger coward in all Kansas than he is. Mercy on me. What a fix you are in. I guess your ma, whoever she is, will give you something to make you remember Bose. You've just about ruined your dress. Where did you come from anyway? For Christy, her face in a deeper glow than had been on it during this eventful morning, limping a little on one foot and wondering whether this was another sprain, made her way across the stretch

Starting point is 01:52:59 of mud that still lay between her and the house and began her story. The open door gave her a view of quite a good-sized kitchen in which all sorts of household work seemed to be going on at once. A smell of cabbage came from the big pot on the stove. A smell of gingerbread came from the open door of the oven, where a young woman knelt to examine it. A pan of apples partly paired sat on the table, and quite close to them, tied into a chair, sat a yellow-headed baby in a pink calico dress, and wearing a pug nose, washed out blue eyes and a soiled face. He looked utterly unlike the baby in the cars, and did not once suggest the baby at home. yet Christy was glad to see him. Probably they had milk, and they would have tender hearts for other babies.

Starting point is 01:53:54 If you please, she began in a gentle explanatory tone, the woman still standing in the door, holding it partly open. I came from the cars over there. The train is stopped by some trouble, and there is a poor baby whose mother... Here she gave a little squeal and sprang past the woman in the door, quite into the kitchen. For the lance's sake, I believe she's crazy. This much the woman said before she saw what was the matter. And really, by the time she saw, there was nothing the matter. The danger was over. It was just one of those things that happen in a second, or else they do not happen at all. There was a girl about the size of Christy, whose business it evidently was to attend to the restless tied up baby, and who had been so occupied in staring at Christy that she had entirely forgotten her duty.

Starting point is 01:54:52 Baby thus left to employ his wits, discovered that by a sudden tilting motion, he could tip his chair backwards and give himself a ride. Moreover, I fancy, argued that this process might in time loosen the chains that bound him to the chair, so he tried it. Just as Christy looked that way, he had tried it for the fourth time with such effect that the chair lost its balance, and the glowing stove was exactly behind it. In reality, the baby's head did not touch the stove at all, because he held it up and yelled. At least that was one reason. The other was that in less than a quarter of a second, the chair was righted by Christy herself, for just one spring brought her from the door to the chair. But, dear me, you should have seen the excitement which prevailed in the little log house then. That baby was just as important as any other baby in the world. His mother untied with

Starting point is 01:55:55 nervous fingers the string that bound him, and hugged and kissed and cried over him, and praised Christy and scolded Sarah Ann all in one breath. Just to think, she said, if you hadn't seen him just that minute and sprung like a deer, he might have been burned to a crisp. Mother's precious darling Jimmy. Sarah Ann, you good for nothing, young one, you. Don't stand there whimpering. If you had been attending to your business instead of staring, this wouldn't have happened. Go out into the woodshed, do. You make me sick. This advice was accompanied by a box on the ear. Not a heart slap. In fact, I doubt whether Sarah Ann felt.

Starting point is 01:56:42 it at all, but that she felt the tongue and was painfully ashamed was evident. Her face flamed a deep red, and her sobs came deeply drawn, as she vanished by the woodshed door. Christy felt sorry for her and indignant with her mother. There was a very great difference in mothers, certainly, greater than she had ever supposed. The indignation gave her courage to tell her story rapidly and well. There were a great many exclamations over it, and a great many questions asked and answered, and Christy had to kiss the baby, which she would not have minded at all if his face had been clean.

Starting point is 01:57:25 She had a chance to wash the mud from her face and hands, and the woman herself carefully brushed mud from the pretty suit, bewailing the stains and finding one place with a zigzag tear. It all took time, and Christy was conscious of listening painfully, for the whistle of the departing train. But at last she was started on her way. Her shoes exchanged for a pair of ugly-looking boots, which the woman told her she might leave in the bog by the railroad track, and she had the comfort of hearing it said in a loud whisper that they were so awful worn out and good for nothing that Josiah wouldn't care much if she did make off with them. After that, Christy had a mind not to take them, but she looked down at the shoes hung over her arm, which had been cleaned,

Starting point is 01:58:16 and could be dried when she reached the train, and concluded to be meek, especially since they did not know her at all. How could they be sure that she did not want to run away with Josiah's boots? On her arm she had a pail of milk, which looked rich and creamy, and she had bought a new little tin cup, which the woman said they got for Jimmy only yesterday. For the cup she paid eight cents, and for the pale, twenty-five, but they would take nothing for the milk, and there was a good court, Christy calculated. On the whole, her trip back to the train was much pleasanter than the journey out had been. She discovered that day why boys wore boots, a thing that she had never understood before. They certainly made their way through the mud much better than shoes. There stood the

Starting point is 01:59:11 train without apparently having had a thought of going away to leave her. She set down her pail and carefully pulled off the boots and laid them in a sort of gully at the side of the track, then slipped into her own wet ones and climbed into the train. None too soon, for baby was shrieking wildly. The old gentleman looked relieved when he saw her. Well, little woman, he said, our hopes all rest on you. If you can quiet this storm, we shall owe you a debt of gratitude. We've been having a first-class circus here, said Wells, ever since you went. You hadn't jumped that first mud puddle when he opened his eyes and looked around him and began. That seaside library woman over there is going to have him sent to the House of Correction as soon as ever we reach the city. I see it in her eyes.

Starting point is 02:00:09 Poor fellow, said Christy, but she did not mean the old gentleman in spectacles, nor yet Wells Burton. End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibrovox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 7. The Helper Still. you imagine that the train soon started? Nothing seemed farther from its thoughts. The baby eagerly drank his milk from the bright tin cup, much occupied it is true as soon as his first hunger was appeased, with gazing at the queer shapes in its sides, but never recognizing apparently his own beautiful face. But after each gaze, he would seize the cup and take another long draft. I tell you he was hungry and thirsty both, I should think. Wells said, watching him with interest,

Starting point is 02:01:13 his mother ought to give you a great many thanks for this. Poor mother, said Christy with a sigh, and she drew the baby closer. He settled back in her arms at last, satisfied and smiling. Tamed, Wells called it, and he and the old gentleman, who had returned to his own seat, exchanged smiles of admiration as Christy mothered the baby, cooing him presently into quiet, restful slumber. The shawl did duty again as a pillow, and this time genuine sleeping was done. Long past nine o'clock now, and no train either came or went. The officials seemed all to have departed, and some of the passengers.

Starting point is 02:02:01 The old gentleman kept his seat, so did the pale-faced man, so did the disgusted look lady who had finished her book and had now no other occupation to indulge in but grumbling. How far are we from the city? Christy questioned. Why, not more than a dozen miles? I should think some of the men who are in a hurry would try to hire a wagon to take them in. Wells shook his head. I should like to see a wagon that could get through this mud, he explained. You see, there is no one. wagon road. The old road strikes off at that junction down below and winds around. I don't know how many miles. I don't suppose it would be possible to drive direct from here to the city, and the regular road is

Starting point is 02:02:51 used so little out this way now that it must be horrid after these rains. Well, shouldn't you think that man over there, who is so anxious, would try to walk? I think I could walk 12 miles if mother or the baby was sick. Not in this mud, I venture. I doubt if you ever took many long walks in such mud. Why, in some places, it is knee-deep. Besides, don't you see he would stand a chance of seeing this train whisk by him when he was about halfway? No, his best plan is to sit still and be patient. He doesn't look patient, said Christy. I never saw anybody's face look less patient than his, And I am so sorry for him, I don't know what to do. I keep thinking I wish I could do something to help him. I wonder if it is his mother who is sick. Welles studied him for a few minutes and then gave it as his

Starting point is 02:03:50 opinion that it was the lady whom he meant to marry, though why he thought so I am sure I don't know. The next thing that claimed attention was the sprained ankle. I'll tell you what it is, said Wells. something going on down there in my foot that I don't like. It gives the most horrid little tweaks of pain every few minutes that you ever heard of, and it is swelling so that I don't believe I shall ever be able to wear a boot again. It ought to be bathed, said Christy, and bandaged. That is what mother did when father sprained his foot once. She took cold water and bathed and bathed it, oh, a long time. Then she made a great long bandage. Then she made a great long bandage. and bound it up, and it got well after a while. I think I ought to bathe your foot.

Starting point is 02:04:43 You, said Wells in dismay, and looking more astonished than he had at anything yet. As if I should allow you to do such a thing. Why not? I should think you would be very foolish not to let me. I know how. I've done it for father by the hour. You see, it soothes the pain and makes the swelling go down. But I don't know what I would put water in. How queer it is that we can get to places where we miss all the little things that we thought we should have, of course. Now I thought I should always be where I could get a basin or a bowl to put water in. If the baby had drank all the milk, I could use the pail, but I dare not throw it away because he might need it before his mother gets to him. I should think not, said Wells,

Starting point is 02:05:34 meaning about the milk. It cost too much to throw away. Yes, said Christy gravely, but then they did not charge me any more than other people charge for a quart of milk. Wells's eyes danced over this. He had not meant the cost in money, but he said nothing. Meantime, Christy looked up and down the car, her face thoughtful and anxious. She was studying ways for bathing the sick foot. Wells was secretly glad that there seemed no chance for it. He would have liked his mother to do it, but he could not bear to think of having his foot bathed by this trim little girl. Suddenly, Christy hopped up, her face bright and yet doubtful, if you can imagine the two on the same face. She saw a way to do it, if only the Seaside Library woman, would be good and help.

Starting point is 02:06:30 It was very unpleasant to have to ask a favor of her, but Christy was not one to stop at unpleasant things when they looked as though they ought to be done. The lady's satchel lay open at her side on the seat. She was fumbling discontentedly through it, looking for something that she did not seem to find. But the thing that Christy saw was a small white pitcher, lying snugly among the napkins, empty and waiting apparently for work to do. She went over to her in haste. It would not do to take much time to think about this thing which was so disagreeable. Would you be so kind as to lend me the pitcher for a while to keep babies milk in? I want to fill the pail with water to bathe the lame foot. It is beginning to swell very much, and I think that will help it. Mother thought it helped father. A long speech,

Starting point is 02:07:27 for Christy. The lady looked so very disagreeable that the child felt a nervous desire to keep on talking and not give her a chance to make a disagreeable answer. But she came to the end of her long sentence at last and waited. Wells was laughing. He was almost willing to have his ankle bathed if it would in any way add to the discomfort of the lady. For what seemed to poor Christy several long minutes, she was, She stared at her, as though she were some unpleasant curiosity that had not been seen before, then said, "'I suppose so. What a set I have got among!

Starting point is 02:08:09 The insolent boy doesn't deserve to have his ankle bathed. If he had been sitting in the cars as he ought, the accident would not have happened. Why can't you throw that slop of milk away if you want the pail?' Christy meekly explained her fears that the baby might fancy himself hungry when, he awoke. And at last, with a disgusted sigh, the lady took the delicate china pitcher from its nest and passed it into Christy's keeping. "'Here,' she said, "'you will break it, I presume, the next thing, and it belongs to a set. I was a simpleton to bring it. But how was I to know there would be such a nuisance of a time?' "'Oh, thank you,' said Christy. "'I will be very careful of it.'

Starting point is 02:08:56 and she tripped away with a relieved face. The old gentleman was watching, when the milk was carefully poured into the china pitcher, what did he do but offer to take care of it? Very grateful was Christy, for while she poured, she had wondered what she should do with the frail china thing in order to keep it from bumping against the car.

Starting point is 02:09:20 To be sure, there was no motion now, but there was always the hope that the cars would start, Next, the pail must be washed. For the first time in her life, Christy made her way to the water cooler, which stood in a corner of the car, and managed to learn how to make the water flow. Washing the pail was an easy matter. It was a relief to come to something that she knew just how to do, and had often done before. She was soon at her work, a neat handkerchief doing duty as a bathing cloth. The sock was carefully, tenderly drawn from the poor swollen foot, not without help from Wells' knife, for the ankle was by this time very unwilling to be touched, and the bathing began.

Starting point is 02:10:10 At first, Wells' face had a flush on it that was not all caused by pain. It was such a queer thing to have a little girl, and she a stranger to him, bathing his foot. But the cold water felt so pleasant, and the touch of the small hand was so gentle and skillful that gradually a feeling of relief and satisfaction began to steal over him. I did not know there was so much good in water, he said, watching her as she steadily passed her cool cloth up and down the foot. Water is real wonderful, said Christy. Mother says that half the people in the world don't know what a splendid doctor it is. Sometimes she uses it real hot, and it will stop a pain in a few minutes. Hot water would be good for your foot if we could get some.

Starting point is 02:11:02 I wish we could, for I am most sure that it would make this swelling go down faster. We might split some pieces off the side of the car and start a fire. I could whittle some off, maybe, or the old gentleman could. No, he can't leave his pitcher of milk. But the young man hasn't anything to do. We might try him. I have some matches in my pocket. I have some matches in my pocket. by this time he had to stop and laugh over the bewildered look on the little nurse's face i beg your pardon he said seeing the flushed cheeks i'm afraid it sounds like making fun of you and that is the last thing i was thinking of i can tell you i was only thinking that you had done so many things today that seemed impossible perhaps you would manage a fire to heat water you can't think how nice the cold water feels. I hate to have you down there mushing over me. You are getting drops of water all over your

Starting point is 02:12:01 pretty dress. I'm afraid among us we shall manage to spoil all your clothes. But my foot feels 50% better. I can tell you somebody who will be very much obliged to you for this morning's work, and that's my mama. Said Christy, isn't it nice that the baby sleeps all this while? If he should awaken before I get your foot bandaged, I don't know what I should do." The distressed tone of motherly anxiety in which she said this set Wells off into another laugh. He thought her the strangest little girl he had ever seen in his life. The truth was that he was not acquainted with any little girls who knew how to do things which are supposed to belong to women.

Starting point is 02:12:49 but Christy had been her mother's oldest daughter and her only helper in the home for so many years that she had learned many things and had a fashion of planning beforehand much as her mother did. Bandaged, repeated Wells when his laugh was over. Why, what will you bandage it with? I should say that was about as hard to manage as a fire. Oh, no, I didn't know what you meant about making a fire, I'm sure there is fire enough in the stove. If I could make a place on the stove to set this pail, I could have hot water, but I really can't do that. A bandage, though, from somewhere we must have. You see, the foot must be bandaged now that it has been wet. Mother thinks they swell more

Starting point is 02:13:39 after wetting, unless they are bound up pretty tight. I have one other handkerchief, but it is small. Still, it would make a beginning, and I suppose you have one, and the old gentleman maybe has two, men often have. I think we can get enough to make quite a nice bandage. Are you really going through the car to take up a collection of handkerchiefs for my benefit? Wells was so amused that he could hardly speak the words, but Christy looked perfectly sober. Why not? she said. anybody who had one would give it for such a thing you know and it is really necessary mother was very particular about it when father had a sprain well i suppose you will do it i think you would do anything that it happened to come into your head ought to be done but i beg you to ask each of the contributors for their addresses for i shall want to express a few handkerchiefs to them if this train ever does reach the city. In due course of time, Christy did just that thing. She went timidly over to the old

Starting point is 02:14:52 gentleman and told him her plan. She did not like to do it, but it seemed the next thing to be done, and as she walked along, she remembered that she had not liked to do one of the things that had come to her since she stopped the train. Yet they all had turned out well so far. Even the China pitcher was doing its duty as nicely as though its owner had been willing to lend it. The old gentleman was delightful. He took out two of the largest and finest cambric handkerchiefs that Christy had ever seen. It did seem a pity to tear them, but he gave them up as though it was a pleasure to him to think of their being torn in bits. The young man was equally ready, and more able, for he opened his case and produced three or four, which Christy saw with joy,

Starting point is 02:15:46 for she need not now go to the owner of the pitcher. How are you going to fasten the pieces? He asked as he spread out the handkerchiefs and prepared to help tear them. Pins will scratch, and besides, will not make a smooth bandage. Take care you are getting that one too wide. Bandages are nuisances unless they finish. nicely. What shall we do about the sewing? I suppose you haven't a work-box with you? Not quite, said Christy, laughing, and feeling as though she were well acquainted with him.

Starting point is 02:16:22 But I have something that will do to sew bandages. I had a necktie to hem for father, and I took it along for work today at my uncles. The only trouble is it is black silk, and I ought to have white thread, but it will do. Of course it will do, her new friend said heartily. Did you ever read fairy stories? There is one about a little woman who had in her pocket, or her mouth or her shoes, somewhere about her, just the thing that was wanted next.

Starting point is 02:16:55 I didn't know that fairies traveled on the cars, but I believe you must be her cousin at least. I wonder if you would like some help in putting this bandage on. I have done such things before now, and I think perhaps my hands are a little stronger than yours. Oh, said Christy, relieved and smiling. I am so glad. I didn't know how it would get on. I tried once to bandage father's foot, and I did not do it well at all. But I thought I must do the best I could this time,

Starting point is 02:17:29 and maybe it would last until he got to the city. Are you a doctor, sir? Not quite. I am only studying. with the hope of being one some time. You did not know you were a teacher as well as a fairy, did you? I, said Christy, looking greatly astonished. You, I have been watching you all the morning, and I concluded just now that it was time I roused myself and began to think of something besides my own great disappointment.

Starting point is 02:18:01 I suppose I shall reach the city just as soon if I help bandage that foot as though I sat here, here and looked at my watch and longed for the train to start. The sentence ended with a little sigh, and the anxious look came back to his pale face as he skillfully rolled the bandage into a hard little ball. "'I am very sorry for you,' said Christy gently. "'I do hope you will get to the city in time, and I can't help thinking that you will.' There was such a confident little note in her voice that,

Starting point is 02:18:38 he glanced at her curiously. Do your fairy powers reach in that direction? He said, smiling just a little. Could you wave your hand, do you think, and make this train start on its way? She shook her head, smiling, yet with a serious mouth. Nobody ever thought of such a thing as calling me a fairy. I am only Christy Tucker, but I prayed to God to let you get to the city as quick as he could, and to let your friend get well, and I can't help thinking that he will do it. I know he will if it is best. How did you find that out? Why, said Christy, puzzled how to answer this, yet feeling that it ought to be answered. Of course he will. He said so you know, or, well, he said so about some people, are not you one of them, sir? One of whom? One of the people who love God?

Starting point is 02:19:38 He said he would make everything come just right to the people who love him, and he never breaks a promise, you know. Look here, little woman, that lady over there, who is tearing a letter into bits, has not been very polite to you, I have noticed, and I suppose she doesn't love you nearly as well as your mother does, for instance, but suppose you knew that her sister was very sick, and that she was anxious to get to her. If you could, wouldn't you make the same? train go on as fast as possible, so as to give her a chance to get to the city?

Starting point is 02:20:14 Yes, sir, said Christy, unhesitatingly. I would, of course. Then you are better than God. You see, he doesn't do it. Christy considered this for a moment, then said, but I might make a dreadful mistake. Perhaps two trains would run into each other, or it might be all wrong in some way. You see, God knows how to do things and I don't. Ah, but if you knew how to do things, you could plan so that it would all come out best. This is what you say God does for those who love him, and I am showing you that you would do it for those who don't love you, and are therefore marking yourself out to be better than God. Don't you see? Christy looked distressed. What she saw was that this man needed to have somebody

Starting point is 02:21:08 explain things to him. He did not disturb her faith, but how was she going to show him that God was good to all? She thought it over in silence while he still rolled at the bandage, which showed a perverse desire to twist and needed care from her watchful fingers all the time. At last, she said timidly, I know there is a way to explain, but I don't know how to do it. If you knew our minister, could tell you. Don't you think, though, that some people won't let God do the best for them? He wants them to choose to love him, and then he can take care of them and see that everything comes out all right. Our minister told me about it. There was a little boy living at Mr. Briggs that came all the way from the home for little wanderers in New York. Mr. Briggs took him to work on the

Starting point is 02:22:02 farm. His name is Johnny, and our minister said, what if Johnny should run a woman? He would run away and refused to live with Mr. Briggs, could he be taken care of as he would have been if he had stayed with the man who had promised him a home? He said a great deal more and made it real plain. If you could talk with him, I know he could make you understand, but I am only a little girl. You are a very good little girl, he said gently, and whether I understand things as you do or not, I thank you for praying for me. That will not do me any harm, I am sure. Now we will go and see about fitting the bandage to that sick foot. Skillful fingers soon had the foot more comfortable than it had been since the accident. Well submitted to the new helper meekly, though he made a wry

Starting point is 02:22:58 face at Christy behind the piece of handkerchief that was left from the bandage. I don't know about liking that man. He said to Christy, when the foot was nicely done up and resting on the cushion of the turned seat. He might have walked up before and helped you with that baby. He must have seen that it was a tug for you. Men don't know about babies, Christy answered gravely, but I am glad that he knows about bandages. How nicely he did that. It looks just as though a doctor had been here. Well, he is a doctor. The mischief he is, then I ought to have offered to pay him. Oh, no, said Christy, distressed. I don't believe he would have liked that. He did it for kindness, not for pay. He is very pleasant, but just as sad. He gives very long sighs right in the midst of his

Starting point is 02:23:57 talk. I am sorry for him, sorrier than before he helped us. He is. He is very long sighs, right in the midst of his talk. I am sorry for him, sorrier than before he helped us. Why? Because I am afraid he doesn't believe in God. He is not one of God's people, I'm most sure, because they never talk in that way, and it makes things a great deal harder to bear. Talk in what way? How do you tell people of that kind? Why, he almost found fault with God, talked as though he did not believe that God would do the best for everybody, and you know, his children never say such things. Don't they? I am sure I did not know it. I guess I am not acquainted with many of them. I'll tell you what it is, Christy, I have a brother whom I would like to have you make understand things if you could. He is sick and lame, and will never be any better,

Starting point is 02:24:51 and he got so by helping somebody else, doing his duty, you know. It would be hard work for you to make him believe that things are just right in this world. He thinks it is awful that he doesn't get well, and I must say it seems most too bad. He was a splendid scholar, you see, led his class in college, and was going to make a great man people thought, now it is all spoiled, and he suffers all the time, and will have to as long as he lives. What hurt him? asked Christy, her eyes full of sympathy and sorrow. Why, a house was burning, and he climbed a ladder when nobody else would, and went inside and saved a little baby, and part of the well fell on him and hurt his back. The doctor says he will never be any better. Christy's tears came out right now.

Starting point is 02:25:50 I am so sorry for him, she said, but if he only knew God, it would be a great deal easier to bear. What a long, long morning it was! The baby had his nap out, and awoke and fretted a good deal, and cried outright for his mama, and drank some more milk, and played with the old gentleman's gold-headed cane, and went over to the pale-faced young man, and was entertained for a while, and cried some more, and was given a cookie, and at last fell asleep again. And there that train stood immovable. It began to be certain now that there was serious trouble.

Starting point is 02:26:33 Word came through the railroad men that the track was injured a long distance ahead, and for that reason no train could get out from the city to relieve them. To add to the dreariness it began to rain, a fierce driving storm, and of course the mud grew deeper every moment. "'Dear, dear,' said Christy, I hope they don't know about it at home. Mother will be so worried that she won't know what to do. It's most a wonder that your people let you start out, said Wells. I suppose the morning papers gave an account of the mischief done by the rain in the night, but our folks are all away, and I, like an idiot, never looked at a paper. Then Christy, her cheeks somewhat red, explained that they did not take a daily paper.

Starting point is 02:27:27 that father couldn't quite afford it yet, and so they had known nothing about trouble on the railroad. There is always some trouble with this road, said Wells, feeling cross. First it is afresh it, and then a landslide or a washout, or the engine gives out. I don't know how many times we have been detained, but never so long is this. I should like to know what we are to do for some dinner. I know I am as hungry as a wolf. I didn't eat much breakfast this morning. It was so sort of stupid to be sitting in that great dining room all alone. It was after 12 o'clock when this remark was made. The patience of everybody in the car was exhausted, and Christy was beginning to look anxiously at the dribble of milk left in the pitcher. What should she do if the train did not start soon or the mother come?

Starting point is 02:28:26 that doctor of yours will have to plunge through the mud and get us some more milk or something, said Wells at last, trying to raise himself on his elbow to get a view of the rainy world. What object is that? He said as he drew back his head, look, Christy, there are two of them, and they are dragging a basket between them that must be decidedly heavy. How are they ever going to get through that puddle of water? And where are they bound for, do you suppose? Said Christy, it is Sarah Ann! End of Chapter 7.

Starting point is 02:29:11 Chapter 8 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibervok's recording is in the public domain. Chapter 8. A collation served. Sure enough, there she came, plotting through the mud which had grown much deeper since morning. The large basket that she carried seemed to weigh her down, and she made slow progress. "'Dear, dear,' said Christy, "'one of them ought to have had Josiah's boots. I don't know how they will ever manage to get through the puddles.

Starting point is 02:29:45 "'Look, baby, if you were a man, you would go right out and try to help them, wouldn't you?' Nobody took this hint, and the two floundered along and climbed the high step of the car platform, form. Then Sarah Ann set down her basket and looked curiously in at the door. What do you want? asked a breakman who appeared just then, sticking his head out of the door. Sarah Ann spoke up boldly. We want the girl with the baby who saved Jimmy from getting burned to death. Mother sent her dinner and some things for the rest if she's a mind to give him to him. This was bewildering news to the breakman. He looked at him. He looked at him. He looked from the girl to the woman with a puzzled face. He understood the word dinner, and there was

Starting point is 02:30:35 certainly a baby on the train. But who was Jimmy, and when was he saved from burning to death? However, Wells Burton understood and came to the rescue. It is all right, break, man. Several things have happened since you went for a walk. The party to whom that dinner belongs is here, and I'm inclined to think that a good many people who feel the pangs of hunger wish they were friends of hers. Such fun as it was to unpack that basket. Christy did not know before that so many things could be crowded into a basket. Bread and butter piles of it, a soup plate piled high with slices of ham, thin and done to a crisp, and smelling, oh, so appetizing.

Starting point is 02:31:22 Sheets of gingerbread, great squares of cheese, a bowl of donuts, another bowl of quince sauce, and a pail full of milk. Mother said you could give some to anybody you pleased, explained Sarah Ann, who seemed to have recovered her spirits. She said father wouldn't grudge anything to the girl who saved Jimmy from getting hurt. My, but I was scared, she added confidentially. Whose baby is that? Isn't he your little brother? What makes him so good, with you if he don't belong. Jimmy would yell awful if a strange girl took him. My sakes, I hope his mother will find him. Do you mean to keep him always if she doesn't, and bring him up for yours?

Starting point is 02:32:09 Wouldn't that be funny for a little girl like you to adopt a baby? Oh, wouldn't it? What a tongue Sarah Ann had! Wells was laughing immoderately and pretending that it was a violent cough to save Sarah Ann's feelings, and no peony was ever so brilliant as Christy's cheeks. She tried to thank the girl for her kindness, but no words seemed to come at her call. However, Sarah Ann was too much interested in all that she saw around her to mind whether she was thanked or not. She next gave attention to Wells. "'Is that your brother?'

Starting point is 02:32:49 And then without waiting for an answer, Why didn't he come after the milk? Oh my, a sprain is a real mean thing sometimes. Jed Barker sprained his foot last summer, and he had to have it cut off. After this cheering bit of news, the girl who had had her head in the oven when Christy was there, and who had been standing at one side of the door, peeping in in an abashed way, now found voice. Sarah Ann, you'd ought to be ashamed. Your ma told you not to let you. your tongue get to running. Get out here and let her eat her dinner and you can get the dishes. I ain't said nothing, declared Sarah Ann, looking aggrieved. However, she turned quickly and went out to the

Starting point is 02:33:36 platform. There's a rare specimen of a girl for you, said Wells. She's a genius, I should say. Does Jimmy look like her? If he does, I don't wonder that you saved his life. I don't think, she means to do anything wrong, said Christy, hesitatingly. It is just because she doesn't know any better. It must have been very hard work to carry this basket through the mud. Wrong, exclaimed Wells, I should say not. On the contrary, she is the only one of this crowd, yourself accepted, who has done anything right since we started. Does your mother enjoy having you say this crowd when you mean half a dozen people. Mine considers it slang, and I never say it anymore, except on special occasions. I never say it at all, answered Christy, laughing. During this time,

Starting point is 02:34:35 she had been engaged in unpacking the basket, and now had the contents arranged neatly on a large, clean towel which she brought out of the flowered carpet sack. How nice it was that mother had wrapped the cookies first in a towel. What would she think if she knew it was doing duty as a tablecloth, and that her Christie was serving dinner for half a dozen hungry strangers? I don't suppose that bread and butter and ham ever tasted better. The old gentleman declared that he was sure there never was any so good before, and the pale young man ate quite a large piece of bread, and smiled in gratitude, and several men, who, with gloomy faces and hands in their pockets,

Starting point is 02:35:22 strayed in from different cars, accepted Christy's offer of a ham sandwich with surprise and thanks. Would you offer some to the lady? Christy asked in a whisper to Wells, glancing doubtfully in her direction. What, the seaside library creature? I beg that you will not misuse language so badly as to call her a lady. I should say that I wouldn't do any such thing.

Starting point is 02:35:48 You would probably get refused for your pains. Such a delicate person as she never eats anything more solid than a bit of ice cream and a little pound cake, you may be sure. But Christy did not laugh. Instead, she looked troubled, and after a while thoughtfully laid aside a delicate bit of ham and a thin slice of bread and butter. Diving down into her satchel again, she brought out a piece of an old tablecloth, beautifully clean and white. The seed cakes for Uncle Daniel's baby had been wrapped in it. On this white cloth she laid the bread and butter, two of the seed cakes, a delicate piece of ginger bread, and a fragment of cheese. I'm going to carry these to her, she said to Wells, inclining her head as she spoke, in the direction of the lady. She won't take them. I can't help it. I shall feel ashamed of myself if I don't offer them, and I don't like to feel.

Starting point is 02:36:48 ashamed of myself. There is something in that. Wells said, laughing, yet with a look in his eyes that said he was proud of Christy. Go ahead, I'll keep watch and be ready to defend you if she is inclined to bite. And Christy went. She had done her best, and the food certainly did not look uninviting, but the lady had worked herself by this time into such a state of disgust that I think it would have been very hard for her to be good. She gave one disdainful glance at the ragged edges of the piece of tablecloth, then shook her head. No, thank you. I am not reduced to that state yet. Then, seeing the

Starting point is 02:37:33 flaming color in Christy's cheeks, she seemed to struggle to make herself behave better. I am not afraid of you, child, she said. You look neat, I am sure, but after seeing the hands and hair of the girl who brought the basket, I could not eat a mouthful. Not a word said Christy. She carried her bit of tablecloth back and laid it on the seat, covering the food from the dust. Her eyes meantime swimming with tears. How long does it take people to starve? Wells asked fiercely of the old gentleman, who was in the act of biting a huge piece of ham. Evidently he understood Wells's meaning and smiled, but Christy could not smile. Baby meantime was in a rollicking humor. Apparently he had resolved

Starting point is 02:38:26 that his mother was not worthy of any more tears or frettings, and he kept one pretty arm around Christy's neck and ate seed cakes and drank milk with delight. On the whole, it was a very nice dinner, and the different people who came from the other car and shared it, all agreed that Sarah and ought to have a vote of thanks. I'll tell you what will be better than that, said the old gentleman, putting his hand in his pocket. At least we can add it to the thanks and make her happy. Let us take up a nice little collection for her to get herself a pair of rubber boots to climb through the mud in, and he dropped a shining gold bit into Christy's hand. And a comb to comb her hair with, added Wells, as he

Starting point is 02:39:15 laid a silver dollar beside the gold piece. You advise her to buy one, Christy, that's a good girl. The rough-looking men seemed equally pleased with the idea, and dropped their fifty-cent pieces into the eager little hand, and the pale young man actually added another gold piece. I wish you could have seen Christy's eyes as her hand began to grow full. It seemed to her that she was never so happy in her life. It was so splendid to give people things. She had never had that pleasure before. I haven't any money, she said softly to Wells, but I am so glad that the rest of you have, and it is so nice in you to let me give it to her. Just think what a lot of nice things it will buy her. I know they are poor by the looks of the kitchen. I think it was real good in them to send us dinner,

Starting point is 02:40:11 So it was, and it was real good of the woman to be such an excellent cook. I haven't had a better dinner in a long time. But I say, Christy, what are you saving that choice bid in the cloth for? You don't mean to relent and let the baby have it after all. No, said Christy, laughing. Baby must be content with seed cakes and milk. I know his mama does not let him eat ham, and I am not going to run the risk. but I thought I would keep that for a little while. The remainder of the milk had been carefully poured into what Wells called the company pitcher to be kept for baby, and Christy went with basket and money out to Sarah Ann on the platform.

Starting point is 02:40:59 Just as she came back with her eyes full of the story of the girl's dumb surprise, a lady was opening the opposite door and coming down the aisle, A middle-aged lady, elegantly dressed and with a placid smile on her face. I thought I must come and look after the little fairy who so kindly furnished us with a dinner. She said brightly, is this the one? My child, you did not know I had some of your dinner, did you? But that patient breakman out there shared his slice of bread and ham with me and told me the whole story. I want to see the baby.

Starting point is 02:41:36 If I had heard of him before, I should have come and tried to help. Yes, I have been sitting in that next car all the time, but I was so stupid as to go to sleep and lose most of the excitements. Why, Wells Burton, I wonder if you are here? Yes, um, said Wells briskly. I'm here, Mrs. Havelin, but I did not know that you were. Did you go to sleep before the accident and the stopping of the train? no indeed i stayed awake for that excitement and heard all about it and the forethought of this little woman but you see i did not know it was you and there seemed to be so many crowding in and nothing to do but stare that i thought i wouldn't join them and so it was you who were hurt my dear boy how distressed your mother must be exclaimed mrs havaland bending over him pityingly where is she and all the rest of them and how is it that you are spending christmas day on the cars there seemed no end to the questions that the handsome lady had to ask christie meantime was engaged in watching the seaside library woman as i am afraid that lady will have to be called for the rest of the story. The moment that the stranger had exclaimed, why, Wells Burton, the lady had given a sudden surprised start, and her face had flushed deeply. At least she knew the name if she did not the boy, and for some reason the knowledge seemed to disturb her. Just then, the stranger turned in her direction and bowed slightly, as some people do when they know

Starting point is 02:43:21 persons a little bit and do not care to know them any better. Wells noticed the bow and was ready with questions. Mrs. Havilland, I wonder if you are acquainted with that creature. Who is she? My dear boy, have you been traveling with her all day without knowing who she is? Did you ever hear of a person by the name of Henrietta Westville? I should think I had. You don't say that she is the one. That is her name, my boy. Well, I wonder that I had not thought of it for myself. The name fits her character precisely. Of all the cantankerous, disgusting creatures that I ever saw, she, Softly, softly, my dear Wells, what would mother say to such language as that? I don't care, declared Wells. The language doesn't begin with the subject. Mama is reasonable. She

Starting point is 02:44:20 knows that a fellow has to boil over once in a while. Why, Mrs. Havilland, you never heard the like of the way in which she has conducted herself today. And then Wells launched out in a description of the conduct of the seaside library creature, and Christy took the sleepy baby to a seat on the other side of the car to coo him to sleep, and to wonder who this lady was, and why Wells cared because the young woman was named Henrietta Westville, and what he he was telling the stranger about herself, for at this moment she overheard her own name. End of Chapter 8. Chapter 9 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibrovox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 9. A Nice Talk

Starting point is 02:45:15 The baby went to sleep, and the strange lady continued talking with Wells. So Christy, feeling a little lonely after so much excitement, looked at a little. about her for amusement, and discovered that the nice old gentleman was motioning to her. "'Come and take care of me a while, little woman,' he said, making room for her. "'Between us, we can catch the baby before he makes up his mind to roll away. You must be tired looking after him. I wish his mother knew what good care he had.' "'I am used to it,' explained Christy. "'I take a great deal of care of our baby, but I am sorry for his mother. Christy meant the mother of the baby on the cars, not the baby at home.

Starting point is 02:46:03 The old gentleman understood her. It is bad business, he said cheerily. But not so bad, but it might have been worse. Suppose, for instance, you had not been on the cars. What would the baby have done then? For that matter, what would any of us have done without our dinner? That was an excellent dinner you got up for us. How have you enjoyed the day on the whole? Why, said Christy, laughing. I haven't had time to think. It isn't a bit such a day as I had planned. I imagine not. Mine isn't, I know. Let us hear what you had planned and see if your expectations were any like mine. Oh, no, said Christy. They couldn't be. Why, in the first place I was to take my first ride on the cars. Well, I've done that, though we didn't ride very far before we stopped. Just so, and we

Starting point is 02:47:02 seem to find it hard work to get on again. I wonder if this is your first ride. Well, well, you will not be likely to forget it, will you? And where were you going? Why, I expected to spend all this day at my Uncle Daniels in the city. I have never been there, you know, and he lives in a nice house and has a great many things that I wanted to see. Do you mind telling me the thing that you wanted to see the most? A shy little blush came into Christy's face, and she dropped her head. It was very silly, I suppose, but I wanted to see the carpet in the parlor. It is what they call Brussels, and has ferns all over it,

Starting point is 02:47:46 so natural that Mother says you could most pick them, and some berries like what Mother used to gather in the woods where she lived away off east. I never saw such a carpet, and I can't think what it would be like. It doesn't seem to me that they could make natural-looking ferns out of threads of wool, and I wanted to see if I should think so. Then she has pretty furniture in her room, all painted in flowers, roses, you know, and pansies, and, oh, a great many flowers and vines, just lovely. I never saw anything like that either, and I couldn't think how they would look. The old gentleman got out his only remaining handkerchief and drew it across his mouth

Starting point is 02:48:32 to hide a smile that he did not want Christy to see, and then drew it across his eyes, for something in her voice seemed to make the tears start. I understand, he said, his voice full of kindly sympathy, and so these were the things that you most wanted to see? No, sir, said Christy, not quite. I thought a good deal about them, but there was one thing that I thought I should look at more than anything else, and maybe touch.

Starting point is 02:49:04 There was a curious little note of awe in her voice as she said these last words that made her listener bend his head curiously and question in tones of deepest interest. What was that? A piano. She spoke the words almost under her breath. My dear child, did you never see a piano? Oh, no, sir. My mother has often. She used to play on one when she was a girl,

Starting point is 02:49:33 and she has told me about it often and often. I think I know just how it looks. I can shut my eyes and see it, and I can think a little how it sounds, at least it seems as though I could. It isn't like the carpet. I can't imagine that. But the music is easier. Father has a flute. We have a carpet, of course. She added, drying herself up with a bit of womanly dignity. But it is made of rags and looks very different from Brussels, mother says. And I can't imagine a very great difference in carpets. But I can imagine things about music, you know. I know, nodded the old gentleman, and he thought to himself that he knew several things, which she didn't. After a little, he said, And so you are missing all these wonders, but a good many interesting things have happened, I should think.

Starting point is 02:50:31 Then did Christy's eyes sparkle. I should think there had, she said. I was thinking just a little while ago that I should have enough to tell mother and father and Carl all the rest of the winter. We have only a few books, and we have to tell things to each other instead of reading. Father said I was to keep my eyes open today, and I guess he will think I have. This last, she said with a happy little laugh. I guess he will, declared the old gentleman, and I hope he will understand to what good purpose you have done it. What did you expect to see in the city that would interest you. Oh, I didn't know. A very great many things, I suppose, but I couldn't

Starting point is 02:51:19 imagine them. Only one. One day, Father, when he was in the city, saw the governor of the state. You know he lives there. And to go to Uncle Daniels, we ride past his house, and I thought maybe he might be in the door, as he was when Father went by, and I would see him. Father says he is a splendid-looking man, and he is a grand temperance man, you know, and I wanted just to have a glimpse of him, but I don't suppose I shall. Then the old gentleman took out his handkerchief, and used it vigorously on nose and eyes and even mouth. He isn't at home today, he said at last. Isn't he? There was real disappointment in Christy's voice. It was evident that she had not quite given up her glimpse of the governor. No, but you needn't care now after you've had such a nice chance to look at

Starting point is 02:52:17 him and even talk with him. You should have seen Christy's face then, for a moment she was quite pale with bewilderment. I don't understand you, she said timidly, and in her heart she wondered whether the nice old gentleman was a little crazy. Why, my dear child, it is a good while, since morning, I know, but my memory is good, and I distinctly remember seeing you sit up straight in that seat over there beside the governor of the state, and heard him talking to you in what seemed to be a very interesting way. Christy sat up straight now, her eyes glowing like two stars, her small hands clasped together, and her voice with such a ring of wondering delight in it, that Wells stopped in the middle of his sentence to look over at her.

Starting point is 02:53:09 really and truly that was all she said really and truly i sighed with my own eyes and a grand man he is worth knowing not another word said christie for the space of two minutes then she drew along fluttering sigh of delight and murmured what a thing to tell father and mother and carl you like to see people of importance do you the old gentleman asked, after watching her face in amused silence for a few minutes. Oh, so very much, people who are grand and splendid and worth knowing. Then, I suppose you would have been interested in one of the governor's children, for instance, even if you did not know the boy, just for the sake of his father? Yes, indeed I should, but he didn't have any boy with him this morning. No, I was thinking of myself.

Starting point is 02:54:09 and of my father, and wondering whether you would not be interested in me for his sake. Christy thought to herself that she was interested in him for his own sake, but she did not like to say this, so she waited expectantly for what would come next. The truth is, I belong to a very noble family, old and grand in every way. It would be impossible to get any higher in rank than my brother is. Christy heard this with wondering awe, and looked timidly into the pleasant face beaming on her. She said to herself that she had thought all the time there was something perfectly splendid about him, but it had not occurred to her that he belonged to such very grand people.

Starting point is 02:54:57 My brother is a king, he said, still smiling. Then Christy's heart began to beat loud and fast. A king! What a wonderful experience was this! She, Christy Tucker, talking with the brother of a king. In what country she wondered. And oh, what wonderful stories he could tell her if she only dared ask. Why didn't he wear something that would show his rank?

Starting point is 02:55:26 She thought they always did. She was burning with eagerness to have him go on, yet dared not question. Are you surprised? he asked her. and then the next thing he did almost took away her breath. Do you know I believe you are a relation of mine? I have been watching you all day, and I see a strong likeness to our family. There are certain things about us which are very much alike,

Starting point is 02:55:54 and as we are scattered all over the world, I often find relatives. I believe you are one. In fact, unless I am very much mistaken, you are a little sister of the king. Do you know what I mean, and isn't it so? Down went Christy's head, drooping lower and lower, until her face was buried in her two hands,

Starting point is 02:56:18 and she was wiping away the tears. Wells stopped again and looked over somewhat fiercely at her companion, but the face that was raised in a moment was bright with smiles. Christy understood. I didn't at first, she said, but now I do, Oh, you mean King Jesus. Yes, sir, I belong. I thought you truly meant that you had a brother who was a king. And I certainly truly mean it, and glory in it, as I could not in anything else. You cannot think how pleased I have been to find a new little sister, and to see that she was copying my elder brother so faithfully that she began to look like him. It is all very well to be a governor, and I am proud of our good one.

Starting point is 02:57:08 But after all, what is he compared to the king whose subjects we are? Did you ever think, my dear, how many relatives we have whom we have never met? What are wonderful getting acquainted there will be when we all meet in the palace? I never thought of it in that way, said Christy. It is beautiful. Then there is another thing. thing. The family resemblance is so striking that if you watch long enough, you are almost sure to learn who belong to it. Do you think that pale young man is a member of our family? Christy looked over at him thoughtfully, then shook her head.

Starting point is 02:57:49 No, sir, I don't think he is. Why, from some things he has said, I know he isn't. Poor man, do you suppose he has been invited to join us? Why, yes, sir, I suppose so, a good many times. And has refused. That is strange, isn't it? Look here, he will accept somebody's invitation, won't he, if he ever gets home to the king's palace? What if it should be yours? That would be a thing to tell the king some day, wouldn't it? Christy's face glowed, but she made no answer. Then there is that handsome boy. I have a little bit. I have a little bit of a little bit. I have a little bit of have been thinking about him. I am not sure, but I'm almost afraid that he does not belong either.

Starting point is 02:58:37 "'No, sir,' said Christy. He doesn't.' "'There is certainly a great deal for you and me to do right in this car,' the old gentleman said, and added, "'What about the young lady? Is she acquainted with him, do you think?' "'No, indeed,' said Christy, a touch of scorn in her voice. "'It is easy enough, to see that. I think she shows it all the time. Ah, I don't know. Have you never disguised yourself for a whole day so that nobody would have imagined that you were a member of the royal family? Yes, sir, said Christy humbly. I have. Still, I am afraid, as you say, that she does not know him. It would be dreadful if, through any neglect of yours or mine, she failed of ever made

Starting point is 02:59:30 making his acquaintance. Whereupon the baby awoke, and Christy went with haste to save his precious head from the bumping that he seemed determined to give it, but she could not get away from the words of her old new friend. What if she ought to invite the pale young man and the disagreeable young lady to join the family circle? She did not mind talking with Wells now, but these others were different. By and by, Mrs. Havelin' by, Mrs. Havelin badewell's goodbye and went back to her car, and he motioned Christy to his side. I've discovered something about my fine lady, he said, a fierce look in his eyes. I'll tell you about it, and you will see that it is not strange that she is so hateful. It belongs to her nature. You know I was telling you of my sick brother?

Starting point is 03:00:25 Well, before he was injured, he was engaged to that very hateful young woman over there. Isn't that horrid? After the fire, and it was found that he would be a cripple all his life? What did she do but write that she was sorry for him, but she never could think of marrying a cripple? Yes, he said in answer to Christy's look of horror. She did just that. Why my brother cared is more than I can imagine, but he said, he said in answer to Christy's look of horror. She did just that. Why my brother cared is more than I can imagine, but he he did. It made him sick again, and he has never been so well and never will be. I never saw her before, and don't want to again. I have heard enough about her, and I am sure her actions all match. But this story had a very different effect on Christy from what Wells had supposed. I am sorry for her now, She said, I think maybe she feels unhappy all the time, and that makes her cross. When things go all wrong, it makes some people very cross and ugly, and they can't seem to help it. One time, when Carl was sick, and I was afraid he was going to die, I felt cross all the time. Maybe she likes your brother very much, and feels so sorry for what she has done that she cannot be good and happy.

Starting point is 03:01:50 She may be as good as she likes, Welles said sourly, but I am sure she deserves never to be happy again. She must be very hungry, said Christy thoughtfully. By and by, I mean to offer her a seed cake. The dirty-faced little girl had nothing to do with that, and I know it is clean. Maybe she can eat it. You're a queer party, Wells said. If I had been treated as you have, I think I should dislike her enough to keep my distance. Oh, it isn't that. I suppose I dislike her. Well, a good deal. But I want to get over it, and what you told me helps me to. I want to feel sorry for her and ask her to be a Christian. You see, she isn't a Christian, and that makes all the trouble. If she would get right about that,

Starting point is 03:02:45 it would make everything else straight. Anyway, I ought to invite her, because Jesus told me to you now, and if I give her a seed cake, maybe I can do it better. Humph, said Wells, twisting himself around until he heard his foot and made deep frowns come on his forehead. He really did not know what to think of Christy. End of Chapter 9. Chapter 10 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibervok's Recording is in the public domain. Chapter 10 How It Ended

Starting point is 03:03:27 Little by little that weary afternoon wore away. The rain fell steadily, and the mud grew deeper every minute, and the grumblings of some of the people grew louder, though all the while their courage was kept up by having an official appear occasionally to say that he, guessed they would get on now pretty soon. Baby waked and froliced and fretted and drank milk, and was trotted and carried and petted, as well as Christy and the old gentleman could manage it, and the swollen foot was bathed, and all the seed-cakes were eaten, and the pale young man walked miles, just going up and down the car like a caged lion, Wells said. Christy pitied him so much that she went over to him at last, as he stood by the further door of the car,

Starting point is 03:04:20 and said timidly, I think, sir, if you would make up your mind to pray to God, you would feel so much better. He can make it all come out right, you know, even now. Why won't you ask him? The young man turned toward her a despairing face. If your mother should die today while you are sitting here in a mud hole waiting to get out, would it be all right? he asked. I have asked him to take care of her.

Starting point is 03:04:51 said Christy with quivering lip, and I mean to trust him. I know he can do it, and I know he will if it is the best thing. Perhaps the lady that you want to get to is better now. Perhaps my staying here in the mud all day helped to make her better. He said this with a very sarcastic tone, but Christy, who was busy wiping her eyes,

Starting point is 03:05:16 did not look at him just then, and answered gravely, yes sir perhaps so god could make even that help and i cannot keep from thinking that he has made it all right i have prayed about it a good deal and i feel just as i always do when things come right i wish you would pray dear sir in spite of himself a tender smile stole over the sad face and he looked down on her how could my staying here possibly help anybody he said, but his voice was more gentle. Oh, I don't know how, said Christy. God does not tell us his hows you know. He just does them. Well, he said after another thoughtful pause, I'll tell you one thing, little woman.

Starting point is 03:06:10 I am very much obliged to you for trying to help and comfort me. I shall not forget it. I want you to give me your address, and if things have come out all right as you say, I will write you a letter, and if our sticking in the mud for a dozen hours can be found to have helped anything along, I'll be sure to tell you. Thank you, sir, said Christy, and will you pray about it? Ah, that I don't know. So, after all, the little woman turned away sorrowfully. She wanted to give the invitation, but she was not sure. that she had. While the old gentleman was entertaining baby with his gold-headed cane, she took out the two seed cakes, which she had carefully wrapped by themselves in the bit of towel, and went over to the young lady, who had her face turned to the window, and had not looked

Starting point is 03:07:06 around for more than an hour. Won't you please to eat these? said Christy. You must be very hungry. mother made them, and she is very neat and particular. The lady turned suddenly, and behold, her eyes were wet with tears. You are a good little thing, she said hesitatingly. I don't think I am hungry. You would better eat them yourself. Oh, no, Christy answered earnestly. I ate bread and butter. It wasn't much sour. I would like to have you know Jesus Christ and

Starting point is 03:07:44 go to heaven. He can make you very happy. It sounded almost rude to poor Christy now that she had said it, but she did not know how else to put the thought. Ever since her talk with the old gentleman, she had felt that she ought to invite this lady, and she had prayed about her until she felt very sorry for her. You are a strange child, said the lady, but her voice was not hard anymore, and she murmured under her breath that she was sure she needed happiness if anybody did. Christy slipped softly away after that, but the two seed cakes were eaten, every crumb. And now there began to be a bustling of trainmen through the cars. Ropes were pulled and bells were rung, and a general air of something about to happen stole over things.

Starting point is 03:08:39 "'Some train is coming or going,' said Wells. hear the rumble in the distance. Sure enough, it drew nearer. It's coming up behind us, said Wells. Now I wonder if the next thing on the program is to be smashed into by the afternoon express. And said Christy, oh, I wonder if baby's mother can be on that train. It was not trying to smash into anything. It came up very slowly, and finally made a dead stop just below them. The passengers could be seen getting out in the mud and rain and making all haste to the train which was a few feet ahead of them. Then the bridge wasn't down, said a passenger to a brakeman. No, there was a broken rail just this side of it, and the beginning of a washout that has kept

Starting point is 03:09:34 them back. Just then the car door opened with a sudden jerk. A shrill voice was heard to say, in tones divided between a scream and a groan, where is he? And then, Oh, my darling, my darling! And Christy, who was standing with her back to the door with the baby in her arms, felt herself almost tipped over in the dash which a richly dressed lady made to get baby.

Starting point is 03:10:04 No sooner did he have a glimpse of her than the ungrateful fellow set up shouts of delight and was in such a hurry to get away that he scrambled wildly over Christy's shoulder, taking a piece of her delicate ruffle in his eager hand. Oh, dear me, such a time as there was! I couldn't think of trying to describe it to you. That mother behaved herself in such a manner as to nearly drive the lookers-on frantic. She laughed and she cried, almost both at once.

Starting point is 03:10:37 She hugged the baby until he rebelled, and scratched her for it. She kissed him until he cried. Then she hugged Christy and kissed her until her face was too red to grow any redder. And all the time, she tried to tell her wild story and to ask a dozen questions. I thought there would be a dispatch waiting for me at that office, and I went to see, and that dreadful telegraph clerk kept me waiting, and the first thing I knew, the train was gone. Oh, I thought I should die. I screamed and shouted. It seemed to me that the very engine would be sorry for me and stop. Mama's poor darling. Did he cry dreadfully? I saw you little girl this morning, and I saw you look at baby with a pleasant face, and I wondered if you would try to take care of him.

Starting point is 03:11:31 Oh, such a day as this has been. Oh, baby, baby, I'll never let you out of my eyes. I'll never let you out of my arms again for a minute. Whereupon, Baby, at that moment, as if to prove to his mother how false and foolish was her promise, gave a sudden delighted spring and landed in Christy's arms again, hiding his pretty roguish head on her shoulder. So eager were the people over all this, and such long stories had they to tell the questioning mother that they forgot to take note of the bustle going on in the train. Suddenly, Wells waked up to it. I really believe we are going on again, he said, as he watched the rapid movements of the

Starting point is 03:12:17 brakeman. Hello, Brewster! Do you mean to take us into the city in time for bed after all? Looks like it, said the brakeman, smiling good-naturedly. We had to wait for the mother, you know. Now we've got her. We think of going on as soon as the up-train passes. The up-train?

Starting point is 03:12:38 said Wells. Is it time for that? When does it come? It will be along in five minutes. We are going to switch for her to pass, then on we go. The up train, echoed Christy, a sudden new dismayed thought in her heart. Why, isn't that the six o'clock at our station? The very same. This interesting day is about done. Well, but that's the train I am to come home on. and father will be at the depot to meet me. Why, I've got to go home. Oh, no, they will never expect you to do such a thing as that. Less than an hour now will take us into the city. We'll go kiting when we do start. Of course, your people will expect you to go on and make your visit. Have the conductor telegraph your father that you are all right. I'll see to it for you. And if your uncle isn't at the depot, I'll take a a carriage and go there with you. I wouldn't give up my Christmas in this fashion. Christy thought a moment, a world of perplexity on her face, then presently the face cleared. No, I thank you. I must go home. Mother said be sure to come back tonight. She didn't say a word

Starting point is 03:13:58 about what I was to do if I didn't get to Uncle Daniels at all. She just said, and Christy, you be sure and come home tonight whatever happens. Don't you let them coax you to stay. Tell them mother expects you. So you see, I must go back on that very train. Of course she must, said the old gentleman, who had been listening attentively. She is not the sort of woman to keep her mother waiting and watching while she goes and makes a visit. "'Well, I declare,' grumbled Wells, not convinced and much disgusted at the thought of parting with his nurse. "'That is the queerest way to make a Christmas visit that I ever heard of. Here's the train. You'll have to hurry if you're really going to be so foolish as to go. That train doesn't stop at places long enough for a fellow to wink. I'll help her off,' said the pale young man, and he had his umbrella raised before she reached the platform. Her flowered satchel was on his arm, and there was

Starting point is 03:15:06 nothing for Christy to do but to smile her goodbye to her friends in the car, and step down into the night and the darkness. A few steps in the mud, a strong hand springing her to the platform of another train, a kind voice saying, Goodbye, little woman, I'll not forget. And Christy had parted from all the friends and acquaintances whom she seemed to have known so long and well, and was in a strange car surrounded by strange and rather cross-looking people, and felt grown-up and lonely. Why is it possible that she has gone? exclaimed the mother of the baby, taking in the change of plan, just as the car door closed after Christy. I thought she was going to the city. Why, I wanted to talk with her and take care of her. What shall I do? I must have the child's address. Who knows her?

Starting point is 03:16:04 Then up started the old gentleman. Bless my heart, I have let her slip away after all without getting her address. That is too bad. I can help you about that, said Wells, waking out of his ill humor to be interested. Her name is Christy Tucker, and her father is Mr. Jonas Tucker, a farmer who lives about two miles from Pierpont Station, where she took the train this morning. She is a friend of mine, he added proudly. I suppose Carl Tucker would have been very much amazed, could he have heard that. The world had moved much faster that day than Carl Tucker dreamed of, or Carl Tucker's father for the matter of that.

Starting point is 03:16:51 He waited in the rain and the darkness for his little girl. he had spent a busy day about the farm and had heard no news. The two men whom he had met and talked with a few minutes on his way to the cars, neither knew nor knowing would have cared that there had been confusion on the railroad all day. So Mr. Tucker, as he waited anxiously on the milk platform for the coming of the uptrain, only knew that it was dark and rainy and that railroad cars were skittish things, and hoped that Daniel had put his little girl in a good seat and that she wasn't scared. Ha! He said with a relieved sigh, as at last he folded her in his arms and kissed her.

Starting point is 03:17:39 Father's got you again. It's been a long day for Christmas. Come in here and let me wrap you up. We'll hurry, for it is going to rain hard, and your mother will be anxious. Carl stayed at home to do the chores. Don't talk any now, my girl, only wrap up close, and duck your head down out of the driving rain, and we'll get home in no time. Supper's waiting, a regular Christmas supper, too, though it ain't much like your dinner, I suppose. A silvery little laugh rang out to him from behind the old shawl, and a muffled voice said she didn't believe it was, and they drove home with all speed, the rain coming thicker and faster.

Starting point is 03:18:24 How the tea kettle sang on the bright stove, and what a supper it was. Stewed chicken and potatoes stewed in cream, and hot applesauce, were not bad to eat at any time if one is hungry. But when one has had only a small slice of Sarah Ann's bread for dinner, and has given away every one of her seed cakes, I cannot begin to tell you how good it tastes. Then think of the story that there was to tell. I don't believe I can finish it before next Christmas, declared Christy laughing and kissing the baby for the tenth time. You see, I have only told you the heads of the chapters, just as Carl always reads the index of his book. But when I begin to put in the little bits, it will take days and days.

Starting point is 03:19:15 Oh, father, what do you think? I saw the governor and sat with him and talked with him. well said father after having heard dashes at that wonderful part of that wonderful story i guess you saw lots of things today and it's my opinion some other folks saw some things too it is a great day i think i'm glad she was there to take care of that boy and here he put his arm around carl and that baby a mother and here he kissed the baby And you never went to Uncle Daniels at all, said Mrs. Tucker, with her elbow on the table and her hand on the teapot handle. Well, I am beat. And so at last Christy's Christmas was ended. End of Chapter 10. Chapter 11 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Sliberbox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 11

Starting point is 03:20:22 Christy as housekeeper It was snow this time instead of rain It came down in great lovely flakes Such as filled the baby's soul with satisfaction And kept him a silent watcher at the window For a longer time I really believe Than baby Tucker was ever known to be quiet before They were alone

Starting point is 03:20:44 Christy and Carl and the baby Father and Mother Tucker with Nettie tucked in between them, had gone galley off to town some two hours before, and would get themselves caught in a snowstorm. Occasionally Christy worried over this, as she looked up from her darning long enough to catch a glimpse of the great flakes, which were rapidly turning every ugly thing into a lovely white. "'Nettie will catch cold, I'm just afraid,' she said, her voice full of a pretty motherly anxiety for the little Tucker. Now Carl, being a boy,

Starting point is 03:21:22 could not be anxious about a person who was out in such a jolly snowstorm, so was just the one to comfort. Oh no, he said cheerily. If the snow gets to be too much for her, mother will duck her under the buffalo robe in a twinkling. That robe is a splendid thing to keep the snow off, if it is about worn out. I say, Christ, I don't suppose it ever snowed faster than this in New York State. Do you believe it did? It may not have snowed faster, Christy declared, looking up from her darning with a critical eye. But the difference is it keeps at it longer. Just think, all this lovely whiteness will be gone before tomorrow morning. Yes, and everything turned to slush, said Carl in a moment of disconsolateness.

Starting point is 03:22:14 I shall have to drive to the depot through a mess of dirty pudding and milk. I tell you what it is, I should like to spend one winter where snow stayed. Wells Burton spent a winter in Maine once, said Christy, thus carried back to the events of that ever memorable journey of hers, now two weeks in the distance. It required the merest nothing to take her back to the wonderful day, and all its varied and beautiful, as well as troublesome, experiences. And then she lingered long, while Carl, an interested listener, asked ever and anon, the most appreciative of questions. He said the snow was three feet deep at one place where he spent a month. Only think of it, Carl. He took a sleigh ride every day, and sometimes they had to leave the road,

Starting point is 03:23:06 because it was drifted all full of snow, and go into the fields where a track had been broken, and they would ride right over the tops of the fences. Mother has told us about that often, remarked Carl in a grave tone. Without knowing it, he was slightly jealous of this new storyteller whom he did not know at all, and whom Christy quoted as if he were an old friend. Oh, yes, I know, Christy said soothingly.

Starting point is 03:23:37 Mother has had more wonderful sleigh-rides than ever Wells Burton had, and more of them. Just think of the winter when she took one the third day of November and another on the third day of April, and could have taken them any time between. That was snow for you. But then it was a good while ago, and sometimes it seems to me as though the world was changed now, and there wasn't so much snow as that anywhere. But Wells Burton was down there only last winter and had these rides. He has got back. Carl was whittling. He had brought some clean and delicate strips of board into the clean kitchen and established himself in the corner with a large sheet of brown paper to catch his whittlings and was prepared to take a holiday on this stormy afternoon and visit with Christy. He was trying to make a new-fashioned workbox for his mother, with sliding compartments suited to the size of the articles to be stored within. It was a very complicated piece of of work for a boy with only his brains and a jackknife. But Carl had seen one at the corner store the other day, and had studied it carefully, thinking of several improvements while he stood there waiting for his

Starting point is 03:24:54 sugar. So now he was at it, improvements and all. It was a peculiarity of Carl's that he was almost sure to think of improvements directly he looked at a bit of work. He whittled away carefully just then, having a delicate corner to turn, and did not see the start with which Christy dropped her darning, nor the pleased look in her face as she said, "'Has he? How do you know? When did he come back? Did he speak to you, Carl?' "'I knew it this morning, because I saw him at the depot going in for something that had been forgotten. If they want a spool of thread, they run into the city for it. Besides, I knew it last night. Nick told me. They came yesterday. The sick young man did not like it in the city. He was homesick,

Starting point is 03:25:46 so they just packed up and came, though Mrs. Burton sort of wanted to stay all winter, and thought when she went in that she could coax the young man into liking it. There's a queer thing for you, a fellow to be homesick for this little puckered up town, when he could live in a city just as well as not. I'll bet a scent that I should not. I should never cried to come back here if I had father and mother and all the folks worth having along with me. Christy, what has that baby got in his mouth? He'll choke, I believe. My patience, said Christy, dropping her darning now in haste and springing to the rescue. Baby had intended to put the whole of a spool of silk into his small mouth and looked

Starting point is 03:26:32 much inclined to resent it as Christy dived after the silk. "'Why, baby!' in indignation. "'I'm astonished at you. You would have choked to death. "'Besides, that silk is to finish Mrs. Bates's dress, "'and you have gone and got it all wet. "'However did it get left in the window, I wonder. "'Get down, baby, and go and play with Carl's whittlings. "'That's a dear.

Starting point is 03:26:59 "'There's a pretty stick you can have, too. "'Is he lame, Carl?' "'What, the stick? "'No, it isn't lulling. lame, but it is rather rough. I'm afraid he will get splinters in his fingers. Here, baby, I'll find you a better one. Christy stopped to laugh. You know I mean wells, she said. I thought he would have to go on crutches. Does he walk lame? Limps a little and can't walk far, Nick said, but it wasn't a very bad sprain. Nick said the doctor said that the cold water bandages you put on were just the thing.

Starting point is 03:27:36 and that when you got ready to set up for a surgeon, he would take you into partnership. "'Carl!' said Christy, her face aglow with delight. "'Did they truly think it did any good?' "'Yes, they truly did. Nick said just that. "'I meant to have told you, but this going to town of fathers and mothers put everything else out of my head.' "'Carl, did Wells speak to you this morning?' "'No, how should he? I don't know him, and more than likely he doesn't want to know me.' "'That is all nonsense,' Christy said, speaking with more earnestness than usual.

Starting point is 03:28:17 "'He is just as nice and pleasant as he can be. And I don't believe you gave him a chance to speak to you, or he would have done it. You know what I told you about his saying that you never would speak?' "'Carle whittled sturdily. "'That is all very well,' he said at last. "'And you being a girl don't understand, of course. "'There isn't so much difference between the look of you, "'all dressed up as you were, "'taking a ride on the cars,

Starting point is 03:28:47 "'and Wells Burton taking a ride in his everyday clothes. "'Of course he would be nice to you, "'especially when the first thing he did "'was to go and get into danger "'and let you save his life. "'But I'm a good. another sort of fellow, I can tell you. My everyday clothes and his don't look any more alike than sunshine and mud. If you had seen us both this morning, you would have known what I mean.

Starting point is 03:29:14 Clothes are not everything, Christy said, but she said it with a little sigh. She understood what Carl meant better than she liked to own. A swift glance at him, and a memory of the trim figure in his handsome, well-fitting suit, pointed the truth for her. No more they ain't, said Carl, with reckless indifference to grammar. But for all that, a fellow feels better in clothes I can tell you. See here, baby, shavings are not made to eat. I say, Christy, couldn't we get up a treat for their supper, baked potatoes or something? He did not mean for the shaving supper, as Christy very well understood. She looked up brightly at the suggestion, the little wave of trouble having already gone from her pleasant face.

Starting point is 03:30:05 I guess so, she said. That would be nice. I mean, something would be nice. I don't think baked potatoes are much of a treat. I'll tell you what, Carl, we might have some cream toast. There is a loaf of bread that Mother said this morning would make nice toast, and there is a cup of cream we can have, and cream is kind of. scarce nowadays, you know. That would be a real treat. I'm agreed, said Carl. I'll toast the bread. I'm a master hand at that. That Sunday school book of mine is about a fellow who toasted bread for his sister, only he burnt his to a cinder, and that I shall not do. Maybe I would, though, if I had the same reason. It's a splendid story, Christy. They were awful poor, he and his sister. had no father and mother nor anything but just themselves. She worked in a factory, and he was a newsboy, but he froze his feet and could hardly walk for most a month,

Starting point is 03:31:09 and that made things harder for them. And they about starved and froze, too. But one day the overseer of the factory gave the girls in his sister's room a holiday, let them come home at three o'clock, and gave them each a present. The owner of the factory did you know, in honor of his son's coming of age.

Starting point is 03:31:29 He gave them each a whole dollar. And they celebrated, this girl and her brother did. Her name was Jenny, and his was Ben. They decided to have toast and eggs for supper. Wouldn't some eggs go good with our cream toast? Look out there, Christy. That baby is creeping too near the fire. What happened that made him burn the toast?

Starting point is 03:31:53 Asked Christy, as she set the baby at a respectful distance from the fire and gave him a string of empty spools to play with. There was hardly anything that Christy liked better than a story. The reason she was not pouring over that Sabbath school book at this moment was because she knew that the darning must be done, and that if she did not do it, her mother would have to in the evening. And the reason she did not coax Carl to read the book aloud was because she knew that the new-fashioned workbox was to be a surprise for his mother, and a whole afternoon with the mother away was a golden opportunity not to be lost for a trifle. So after all, I am glad to be able to tell you that there were things which Christy Tucker liked better than story books, and one

Starting point is 03:32:42 was to do faithfully and cheerfully what she knew she ought to do. But all this did not hinder her from being deeply interested in the story that Carl was telling. He was not fond of telling stories. You never can get things as they were in the book, he would say, and they sound flat. Why, something tremendous happened. You see, the sister Jenny was grown up. She was most ten years older than Ben, and once there had been a young man who was to be married to her,

Starting point is 03:33:15 but he went away to California, and she did not hear from him, at all. And after two years she knew he was dead and wore a black dress all the time, only Sundays, then she put on her white one for Ben's sake, to make him feel less lonesome, you know. Well, while the third slice of bread was toasting, they were each to have two slices because it was a holiday. There came a knock at the door, and Jenny opened it, and there stood a man who took her right in his arms and kissed her and kissed her. And she screamed, and he cried and laughed, and Ben stared, and the toast burned up. Where had he been all the two years? demanded Christy, the spirit of the

Starting point is 03:33:59 coming woman blazing in her eyes. I wouldn't have let him kiss me if he had stayed away all that time and left me alone. Oh, he had been sick, and robbed by a highwayman, and most killed, and I don't know what all had happened. He couldn't help it. And he was rich. He had found a place in the gold mine that nobody knew about, and it had lots of gold. They were married, he and Jenny, and they sent Ben to school, and he had no end of a good time, and all the toast and eggs he wanted. It is only in books that such things happen, said Christy, turning cynical, though there was a bit of wistfulness in her voice. nobody ever comes knocking at our door with some wonderful news i wish there would but i don't expect it i wish there would too and bring me in arithmetic the kind they use at the school then maybe i could catch up with them and now there was a wistful sound in carl's voice what a pity that some of the boys and girls whose cast off arithmetics are lying useless on upper shelves could not have heard him

Starting point is 03:35:14 Christy considered the matter in grave silence. She wished very much for an arithmetic and for several other things, but the winter was a hard one, and she saw no way to secure them. Occasionally, she sighed over that reckless expenditure of money which had been made on going to Uncle Daniels. That would have bought an arithmetic. She had offered to give up the journey, she was glad to remember that, but they had all insisted on her going, Carl, as stoutly as any of the others, and even now she could not be sorry that she went. She did not get to Uncle Daniels, it is true, but she lived a whole storybook in that one day which would answer to read over all winter. It was a pleasant kitchen in which these two sat and worked. The floor was bright with hard rubbing, and gay with certain braided mats over which both Carl and Christy had worked faithfully for many an hour.

Starting point is 03:36:17 The soft coal in the little cook stove needed only the poke which Carl occasionally gave it to break into a glow and a bustle. The little stove shone with a polish that Christy's own hands had given it, and reflected the play of the flames most brilliantly. There was an old-fashioned table standing against the wall, one of the kind whose leaves turned down. By and by it would do duty as a dining table. Now it was covered with a cloth made of pieces of bright wools. Crazy patchwork, Christy called it, and occasionally when Carl tried to help clear up the room and could not get the cloth on straight, he took refuge in the fact that it was crazy. There were three or four wooden chairs shining with cleanliness. There was a large armchair cushioned for father, a cunning little high chair standing close beside it with the very

Starting point is 03:37:14 brightest and softest of cushions in it, that of course was babies. There was a cunning little homemade couch, or settee, as they called it, fashioned the frame of it by Carl with his skillful jackknife and a hammer in nails, upholstered in unique style by Christy herself. And this was the exclusive property of the small lady, Nettie. Then there was the one extravagance of which this room could boast, a lovely little wicker rocking-chair which Mrs. Tucker declared fitted every crook in her tired back, and for which which father and children had carefully saved, I should hardly like to tell you for how many months, lest you might think they were poor, and there are plenty of people poorer than they.

Starting point is 03:38:02 This was about all the furniture that the neat room contained, save the baby's box of playthings, and a torn picture book or two, laid carefully away on the mantelpiece. I hardly know what made it look so cheerful, save that there was an air of home about it, and the faces gathered within it were generally bright. Oh yes, there was an old-fashioned clock in the corner, which faithfully ticked the hours, and at which Christy looked every now and then. "'I wonder when we ought to begin getting our treat ready,' she said. "'There is one bad thing about cream toast. It wants to be eaten as soon as it is ready.' "'And there is one bad thing about folks,' said Carl.

Starting point is 03:38:48 "'They never come home when you think they will. "'Halloo, have they come already?' "'That man said, whoa, right out here.' He shook the shavings from his clothes and hastened to the window. "'They can't have come yet,' said practical Christy, "'for father was to see Mr. Marshall, "'and he couldn't see him until after four o'clock. "'Christie Tucker, it is the Big Depot wagon,

Starting point is 03:39:15 "'and it has stopped here, "'and the man that helps load things is coming up our walk. "'What do you suppose he wants?' "'End of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Sliberovacs recording is in the public domain. Chapter 12, the surprise. Why, said Christy, I suppose he wants to know where somebody lives.

Starting point is 03:39:46 You go to the door, Carl. For the man was knocking, and Christy caught up the baby just in time to get him out of the whirl of wind that came in at the open door. Is this Mr. Jonas Tucker's place? The gruff voice asked. The man was a newcomer and did not know the country very well, though Carl felt well acquainted with him, having watched him often as he loaded his big white-covered wagon or prairie schooner, as the wagons for transportation are called in the far west. Yes, sir, said Carl, but he isn't at home. He went to the city right after dinner. Is there a Miss Christy Tucker in the family? No, sir, Miss, why, no, yes, yes, sir, I suppose there is.

Starting point is 03:40:36 Well, you seem to be mighty uncertain about it. When you get your mind fully made up, I wish you would tell me, are you sure you live here yourself? Astonished as he was, Carl could not help laughing over this. Yes, sir, he said very decidedly, I do, and so does Christy, though it seemed so funny to hear her called Miss that I thought you must mean somebody else. She is a little girl. Just so, little or big, I don't know as it makes much difference to me, provided her name is Christy. I've got an express package out here for her as big as the house most and as heavy as all creation.

Starting point is 03:41:19 Then did Christy set the baby down hastily in the farthest corner she could find and come to the door. "'There is some mistake, Carl,' she said hurriedly. "'Nobody would send an express package to me.' "'We don't think it can belong to us,' explained Carl, to the man who was turning to go down the walk. "'We don't know anybody who would send packages to us.' "'I haven't got anything to do with that, as I know of. "'It is marked Miss Christy Tucker,

Starting point is 03:41:50 "'as plain as black paint and a good deal of it can mark it, "'and sent to this office. and the clerk who has been here ever since there was a place says he don't know of any other Tucker within ten miles of the town, only Jonas, and you say the little girl's name is Christy, so I guess it's all right. Anyway, if the man has made a mistake and sent his bundle to the one he doesn't want to have it, why, that's his lookout, not mine. We'll bring the thing in, and you get away from the door, for it will about fill up your kitchen. Away he tramped, whistling gaily as he went, and Christy and Carl looked at each other in great perplexity. "'It is all wrong,' murmured Christy. "'They will just have to come to-morrow and take it away, and maybe it will cost father something. Mother will say that we ought not to have let them bring it in.

Starting point is 03:42:46 Oh, Carl, they always have to pay for express packages. They mark them COD. father was telling me about that only yesterday when I helped him hold that beam, you know. We shan't pay any COD or any other kind of fish, declared Carl sturdily, rising to assert his manhood. If he leaves a thing here that we say doesn't belong to us, he will get no money for it from us, that's sure. That's so, said Christy, relieved and admiring. We can't tell him not to leave it, I suppose, but we can tell him that we are not going to pay for it. In fact, we couldn't, because we haven't any money. By this time, the great roll, whatever it was, riding on the shoulders of two stout men,

Starting point is 03:43:36 had reached the door and was thumped down on the clean kitchen floor. My patience, said Christy, the thing was so large that she could not help exclaiming over it. "'Look here,' said Carl, still intent on business. "'We don't at all think that that thing belongs to us, "'and we can't pay you a cent for leaving it here.' "'All right,' the good-natured man said, "'a broad smile on his face. "'There isn't a cent to pay,

Starting point is 03:44:07 "'and if I find any other Christy Tucker "'who wants the thing worse than you do, "'I'll come and take it away again for nothing at all.' "'And he went puffing away out of the little house, and down the walk, a smile all over his great broad face. When he was gone, the two young people stood and looked, first at the roll and then at each other. Of course, the baby crawled out of his corner

Starting point is 03:44:33 and hovered around the great bundle and tried to push it with his little hands, and tried to bite it and tried to lift it, and finally sat down on it in triumph, believing that he had found out its use. What in the world can it be? be, Carl asked at last. And whose can it be? added Christy, looking at the great role with longing eyes. Why, it's plain enough that it is yours. Anyhow, that is your name, Christy Tucker, as large as life.

Starting point is 03:45:05 And we know there isn't another Christy Tucker anywhere around. The question is, where did it come from, and what is it for? Uncle Daniel never would, said Christy, slowly, thinking aloud, and leaving her sentence unfinished. No, said Carl, with emphasis, understanding her as well as though she had finished it. He never would in this world. Christy Tucker, I believe in my heart it is a carpet. It is done up for all the world, like the rolls that Nick takes up to the Burtons and other places, and he says they are carpets straight from the stores.

Starting point is 03:45:44 They sew them all up in that straw kind of stuff, so they won't get dirty on the journey. Then, of course it isn't ours, for we haven't bought any carpet at the stores, that is certain. No, Carl said slowly and argumentatively. But then, see here, Christy, neither have we bought anything else, and this is something, so I don't see as that proves anything. I'd like to see the inside of it, wouldn't you? Shall we rip it open? Oh, no, we mustn't. We mustn't. mother wouldn't think it was right it will have to go back of course they have sent it to the wrong town maybe and father would have no end of trouble in getting it sewed up again we must just push it into the corner and let it alone and carl it is time we were getting our treat ready or planning for it at least look it has stopped snowing and i believe the sun is going to set clear they will have a nice ride home i can't imagine what the thing is is, said Carl. He did not mean the sun, nor yet the ride home. Eyes and thoughts were still on the great roll. He was not in the mood to give it up so quietly. I'll tell you what, Christy, I believe we

Starting point is 03:47:03 ought to open it. This stuff is all damp on the outside, and it may be something that the damp will hurt. We ought to take care of it whosoever it is. It won't hurt before mother and father come, Christy said, with the quiet tone in her voice which Carl knew meant, It has my name on it, and therefore I have the right to decide, and I decide that it is not to be touched. At the same time, she lifted the baby from it in haste, and examined carefully the little flannel dress to see if it felt damp. A little woman was Christy.

Starting point is 03:47:41 Carl recognized the power in the quiet voice, and began gravely to roll the bundle into the corner. It took every bit of strength there was in his stout young body, and before he had made much progress, an exclamation from Christie stopped him. "'Carle, there comes another wagon. It has stopped before the gate, and a man is coming up to the door,

Starting point is 03:48:05 and it is loaded with all sorts of stuff.' "'You see how these two young people muddled the English language when they were excited. Of course, Christy did not mean the door was loaded, but the wagon. Carl left his role and came to attend to this new and startling development. That is the Depot Freight Wagon, he chuckled, and that is Jim Pierce driving. I know him anyhow, and he knows me. Hello, said Jim Pierce, as the door swung back almost before he had a chance to knock.

Starting point is 03:48:39 Here you are, eh? Well, is there a Christy Tucker, tucked in here anywhere? That's the question. Miss Christy Tucker, can you find her? Yes, said Carl, laughing merrily. This whole affair was growing very funny to him. I've got her here safe. What do you want of her? Why, I'm getting her ready to set up housekeeping. There's a bedstead and bureau and chairs and a sophie, and I don't know what all out in my wagon. As cunning a little set out as ever you see, I'll believe. longing to Miss Christy Tucker. You aren't getting ready for a wedding nor nothing, are you, Carl?

Starting point is 03:49:19 Whereupon Carl laughed again, loud and long. But Christy did not laugh. Her face was pale. At once, her thoughts reverted to the nice old gentleman whose acquaintance she had made that day on the cars, remembering all his kind words and nice suggestions. How earnest he was to do the master's work. A nice old gentleman indeed. But why? She wondered. What did all this strange proceedings mean? Just like the story in a book. We are having a dream we guess, or writing a book, or else there's witches around, explained Carl. Christy said things never happened except in books, but I guess she will change her mind after today. Honestly, Jim, we don't know a thing about it, and father and mother are at home, and we know they haven't bought any furniture just as well as we know anything.

Starting point is 03:50:16 Well, said Jim, you know a good deal, I'll admit. But then I know how to read writing when I see it, especially when it is print. And these things are all marked Miss Christy Tucker as plain as the nose on your face. And when I see them, I says to Bill, says I, there ain't no Christy Tucker around here except that little thing up to Jonas Tucker's. No more there ain't, says Bill, nor any other Tucker folks but them this side of the city. You may as well pile them in and get him over there out of the way. So here I am, and my team must be unloaded, you see. So if you will ask Miss Christy where she will have the things put, we'll be stepping about. Then Christy sat the baby down very decidedly and came to the door.

Starting point is 03:51:06 It is all a mistake, sir, she said earnestly. It means some other Christy Tucker, you may be sure. I'm only a little girl, and there is nobody to send me things. If you could wait a little bit until father comes, he could tell you there was a mistake, and that would save your unloading the things and loading them up again, for I know they will have to go away. Jim Pierce smiled admiringly on the little woman. Me and father come out to this country 16 year ago last October, he said,

Starting point is 03:51:41 hitching at one suspender to bring it into plays. And we know every foot of land within 30 miles of here, and the name of every man, woman, and child in this part of the country. And there ain't no Christy Tucker except yourself. And I reckon if the things ain't for you, they don't belong to nobody. and I reckon I better unload, for that is a deceitful kind of a sunset, and I shouldn't wonder if we had a squally evening. Bill and I will just set the things inside out of the storm, and tomorrow we can tote them back if you find any place where they fit better. There ain't nothing to pay. Boss, he

Starting point is 03:52:19 come to the door just as I drove out, and says he, these goods are paid for, delivered at the door. So delivered at the door it is. Pitch in, Bill, no time to. to waste. And they pitched in. Christy gathered up the baby and stood at the window in silent, bewildered dismay, while Carl opened the door of the neat, bare little parlor, and let the muffled-up freight take possession. What to do the little woman did not know. She had done all she could. There seemed nothing now but to wait. Father and mother haven't been away before in a year, she told the baby, and I hope they won't go again for another year. Who would have thought of so many things happening in this little while?

Starting point is 03:53:08 We've lived here years and years, and nothing has happened. Ad da-da, said Baby, and dived after a flake of snow that just then blew past the window. Baby did not agree with Christy. He believed this to be a wonderful world. Had it not turned white all in a minute, while he had it not turned white all in a minute, while he, was looking at it? What was a wagon or two stopping at the gate compared with that? whew, said Carl, coming presently from the next room, bringing a gust of cold air with him. They're all in, Christy, and it fills the room pack full. I never saw the beat in my life.

Starting point is 03:53:49 If it was Christmas now, and we believed in the Santa Claus that comes down the chimney, or if we had a rich uncle who had been dead 20 years to come to life like that one did in the story. It's great fun anyhow. If every one of them has to be toaded back to the depot tomorrow, I'm kind of glad they've come. It seems like business to have team stopping and be directing where to put things. I wish they were ours, Christy, every one of them. You can't see what a thing is they are so muffled up, but you can guess at some of them. I declare it's a lark. I'm real sorry to have them come, Christy said gravely.

Starting point is 03:54:32 It will just make trouble for father, and then it is lonesome to have them all go away again and not belong at all as we know they don't. That is true, Carl said, his face growing sober, but then, Christy, we couldn't help it. We did the only thing there was to do. so why not have all the fun there is to be got out of it? We will, said Christy, smiling.

Starting point is 03:54:59 We will make believe they are ours, and we have earned them, and are going to surprise father and mother with them. There is a rocking chair among them that looks as though it might be the mate to mothers only a prettier shape. Carl sat down on the great roll of burlap, his face grave and his eyes large, with the thought that had suddenly taken possession of him. Christy, he said, and his voice was so full of earnestness that she turned and looked at him

Starting point is 03:55:29 curiously. There were times when she did not more than half understand this stout little brother of hers. Christy, let's truly do it, no making believe about it. I don't mean now, of course, but let's you and I earn the beautiful things to put in their room, twice as nice as any of these things are, and carpets as soft and bright as they have up at Burton's, and lamps or, no, gas, five or six burners in every room, and silk curtains or velvet at the window, and, well, everything that anybody else has. I say, lets you and I earn them for father and mother. Folks do it. Poor boys do it, I've read about them often, and it isn't all story either. Look at Uncle Daniel, he was a poor boy, poorer than we are, a good deal, and see how he lives.

Starting point is 03:56:26 We can do it, Christy, will you? Yes, said Christy bravely, her eyes twinkling with a merry light. I'll do my very best at it, and if we like these things that have to be sent back, we'll look at them carefully and buy ours just like them. In the meantime, Carl, while we are waiting for the time to come, shall we make them some cream toast for their supper? Carl laughed at this and arose and shook himself, like one who had been dreaming and wanted to get thoroughly awake.

Starting point is 03:57:01 Yes, he said, I suppose cream toast will have to do for tonight, and it is high time it was getting ready. I'll go to the cellar. Only, Christy, I'm going to do the other thing, too. Remember that. And he went out into the little back kiddard. and lighted a lamp and went whistling to the cellar. Preparations for supper began now in earnest. The short twilight was fading, and night was setting in steadily. The travelers would soon be here.

Starting point is 03:57:34 Carl and Christy agreed that the mysterious bundle should be coaxed into the front room with the other mysteries, and not a word said about them until the cream toast and eggs were eaten and enjoyed. because if they once get to talking and looking and wondering, they won't get to eating supper until the toast and eggs are spoiled, and they will be so hungry and tired. Mother will need her cup of tea to rest her. So said the young housekeeper. Yes, and there is no need of hurrying to tell them,

Starting point is 03:58:08 for the teams have all gone back, and there can't be anything done about it until morning. So said the man of business. Do you know anything about how bright and restful that neat kitchen looked to the cold and hungry people who presently came into its light and warmth? The fire was glowing brightly, the tea kettle sang its gayest tune, the table was neatly laid, stewed pears and a plate of cookies occupied places of honor, and the most delightful odor of toast mingled with the fragrant tea, and the bowl of eggs stood waiting to be dropped at just the right moment into the boiling water.

Starting point is 03:58:49 This is nice, Mother Tucker said, leaning back in her little rocker and cuddling the delighted baby. There is nothing like it in town, Christy. We passed some nice-looking homes, and the curtains were up, and everything looked pretty inside. But father said, we don't want to stop there, do we? We haven't got our boy and girls. Then did Christy, with a happy little laugh, pop in her eggs, and set the baby's chair to the table, and tie Nettie's bib about her, for she heard a stamping in the outer kitchen, and she knew the two men had disposed of the horses and were ready for supper. All through the pleasant supper time, she and Carl had the hardest work to keep from going off into bubbles of laughter, and all the time their hearts sang the story, what in the world will they say when we show them the front room?

Starting point is 03:59:47 At last Father Tucker said there was no use. He couldn't eat that last bit of toast, nice as it was, and Carl telegraphed to Christy, now begin. And just then, Mother Tucker said, Now, my girl, if your supper is eaten, we have a surprise for you. End of Chapter 12. Chapter 13 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. This slipper-box recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 04:00:22 Chapter 13, What the Letter Said And then, to the astonished eyes of Christy, there was handed forth a letter. Miss Christy Tucker. So read the envelope, and the writing was in itself a source of pleasure it was so beautiful. Christy had never seen her name very well written before. She had never seen it written at all on an envelope. Her first letter! You girls who are used to

Starting point is 04:00:51 receiving letters every week from some dear friend cannot have the least idea how she felt. But the letter, surprising though it was, did not entirely fill Carl's mind. In fact, it did not compare with those mysterious rolls and bundles which covered all the space in the front room. He looked over Christy's shoulder at the letter, but he whispered to her, Let's tell them our surprise. It is bigger than theirs. One little thing about Carl I would like you to notice.

Starting point is 04:01:24 Why did he not burst forth with the importance of his secret without waiting for Christy? You have heard many a boy do it. Indeed, I wouldn't say this for the world to any but you, but have you really never done it yourself? This was another way in which Carl's honest, unselfish nature showed it self, honest because he remembered that all those mysterious packages had Christy Tucker's name printed on them, and this was therefore her secret which he had no right to tell. Unselfish, because he felt in his heart that Christy would like to tell about it herself, and he would not

Starting point is 04:02:04 spoil her chance. You have never told news that did not belong to you except when you did it without thinking. Is that what you say? Oh, I presume not, but then, my boy, you must remember that we can be selfish and dishonest through thoughtlessness. That is a mean door which lets all sorts of meanness in through it when once it is left open. There are two sides to this question. In point of fact, Christy was overwhelmed with curiosity about her letter and would have liked to read it and talk it over then and there, but Carl's heart was set on the other story, and the letter would keep. Yes, she said aloud, such a surprise as we have for you. I don't know what you will think of us, or of all the things that have happened. We have had company, lots of it, haven't we, Carl?

Starting point is 04:03:01 I should think we had, burst forth, Carl. Fact is, the front room is full of company this minute. And at the look on his mother's face, Carl broke down in a gust of laughter. Company, she repeated, some dismay as well as surprise in her voice. Why, children, what do you mean? Your Uncle Daniel's folks can't have come. No, ma'am, interrupted Carl. There's no Uncle Daniel's folks about it. They can't look a bit like him. Tell about it, Christy. Why, first, said Christy. the express wagon came and Carl went to the door and they asked for me, mother, only think of it.

Starting point is 04:03:46 And Carl said, oh, father, what do you think he told the man? You tell Carl. And then Christy stopped to laugh and Carl took up the remarkable story. What with laughter and interrupting questions and appeals to each other to tell that part, it really took a good deal of time to tell and it was all so funny that Nettie and the baby shouted with laughter without having the least idea what they were laughing about. And Mother Tucker looked from one to another and said, Well, I declare, I believe you children are all getting crazy. At last they went, lamp in hand, to the front room, Carl leading the way and father bringing up the rear with the baby in his arms. Once there, they stopped laughing.

Starting point is 04:04:35 and looked around them with bewildered faces. "'Upon my word,' said Father Tucker. "'I can't make this out. I didn't half notice what you children were saying. Do you see through it all, Mother?' "'No more than if I were blind,' said Mother Tucker, with emphasis, sitting plumped down on the great roll done up in burlap, and clasping her hands on her knees.

Starting point is 04:05:01 "'I can't make beginning nor end to it. Where could they have all come from anyway? Of course it is a mistake somehow, but where is the Christy Tucker to whom they all belong, and where has she kept herself that nobody knows or has heard of her? Christy's here, Mama, piped Nettie. She's white behind the door, Christy is. And she tried to drag her sister into the light to relieve her mother's mind. Then they all shouted with laughter again, baby and all. We act like a set of lunatics,

Starting point is 04:05:37 Father Tucker said at last, stooping to lift Nettie to his other shoulder. And we must get out of this room as fast as we can. The baby is beginning to sneeze. This sentence brought Mother Tucker to her feet in an instant. She untied her apron and muffled it about the baby's shoulder, then led the way to the warm kitchen. Christy, said Carl, as he closed the door,

Starting point is 04:06:02 after the last one had filed in. What about your letter? Sure enough, the letter! In the excitement of the moment, even her first letter had been slipped into her pocket and forgotten. She dived after it, trying nervously to break the seal, just as Carl said, perhaps the things and the letter belonged together somehow.

Starting point is 04:06:27 How could they? Christy asked skeptically, but the boy's thoughts had already gone off on another line. They don't do it that way, Christy. They rip open the end and leave the sealed part all tight, don't they, father. I've seen them open lots of letters at the depot. Here, take my knife. That will do it in a jiffy. So the letter was opened, and properly too, and Christy sat down on Nettie's little settee to read it. My dear little friend, I am afraid you have forgotten me, but your pleasant faces before me now very plainly. I don't easily forget my relatives.

Starting point is 04:07:08 Perhaps you will be surprised at receiving a letter from me, yet I promised myself that day when I made your acquaintance that I would do myself the pleasure of writing to you before long. I have been longer about it than I meant. Certain plans I had did not move as fast as I wanted them too. For one thing, I suppose I must have been very particular about a carpet. Here came interruptions. What's that? asked Father Tucker. A carpet! repeated Mother Tucker, as though she could not believe her own ears. There, said Carl in triumph, what did I tell you, Christy Tucker? Then forgetting that he was helping to make the delay, he exclaimed, Do read on. And at the first opportunity,

Starting point is 04:07:55 Christy read on. You see, I wanted just the sort of one you seemed to have in mind when you described it to me. Ferns all over it and red berries like what Mother used to gather in the woods in the east. Wasn't that the description? That letter must be from a crazy man. What in the world is he talking about? This was Mother Tucker's interruption, but Christy read on. I couldn't find the ferns, but the little red berries are there, and the leaves are very like some that I gathered in the woods in old Massachusetts in my boyhood, and I shouldn't wonder if your mother would recognize them. I was foolish enough not to ask the size of the parlor, so I could not have the carpet made. Indeed, now I think of it, it does not seem altogether probable that you carried the size of the parlor around in your pocket,

Starting point is 04:08:49 or even in that nice satchel, though, as there seemed to come out of it, everything that was needed for the comfort of us all that Christmas day, I am not sure but I might have found what I wanted if I had thought in time. We lose a great many things in this world by not thinking in time. Well, little woman, I will tell you what I hope, that there is enough of the carpet, not only for the parlor, but for that nice little room of your own. And I picked out a little bedstead and a little bureau and a little washstand with flowers growing all over them, like the ones you didn't get to the city to see, and I matched the carpet as well as I could. So I really hope there will be enough for the room. There is one article of furniture about which I must tell you. It happens that that

Starting point is 04:09:41 governor, with whom you had such a pleasant talk, is a particular friend of mine, and always stops in to see me when he comes to the city. One day he was in when I had a great many rolls of carpeting around and was picking out the one I wanted, and I told him about my little relative and our ride together, and the bandaged ankle and the lost baby, or rather the lost mother, and Sarah Ann and the dinner. The truth is, it made quite a long story, and as the governor remembered you distinctly, he seemed to enjoy it. In fact, he was so sorry for that baby that he wiped the tears from his eyes several times, and when I had finished, he said, See here, I would like to know if she isn't a relative of mine as well as yours. I belong to the same

Starting point is 04:10:32 family. What is to hinder my sending her a Christmas present? So we went together to the rooms, and he selected those two large easy chairs which match the colors of the carpet, because he said he could see your father and mother sitting in them, and you looking on, much better pleased than though they had just fitted your size. So the two chairs are from the governor. Now, my dear little friend, you must not let your wise and unselfish heart go to fearing that a great deal of money has been spent on these things, or that they are one in any way. The truth is that I and my sons keep a large carpet and furniture warehouse in this city. And though the carpet is clean and bright and in good order, and a favorite with me,

Starting point is 04:11:23 it is one that the fashionable ladies who come to select carpets call old style, and it has been in our carpet rooms a good while, and would be there much longer unless we should put it down below its value. For you see, people who are not very fashionable when they go to buy a new carpet know just what the fashions are, and will not take anything else unless they can get it at so low a price that we might almost as well have the pleasure of giving it away. About the same story can be told of the furniture. The pieces all harmonize, but do not match. I wonder if you are too young a woman to understand what I mean. I know this. You are not too young to get the dictionary and study out the meaning, and that I am sure you will do. Meantime, that good mother and father of

Starting point is 04:12:17 yours will understand all about it, and will be quite willing to let the old gentleman enjoy himself and give you these few things for a Christmas reminder, since they are neither costly nor very important. What a long letter the old man is writing, and yet I want to make it just a little longer. I want to remind you that since you and I are related, it follows that all our possessions, carpets, furniture, everything, belong to our elder brother, and are to be used to help along his work. All pretty things, especially, should be used to help gather his children into his beautiful home, so dear little sister i hope as soon as ever the last tack is driven in the carpet you will have planned a way to make its leaves and berries help in serving him there are ever so many ways in which even a carpet and a bureau and an easy-chair can be made his servants if those who have them in charge will take the trouble to study out the ways this i feel sure you will do and therefore send them after all in the name of our elder brother as his gift to be held in trust until he comes.

Starting point is 04:13:34 Goodbye, little sister. It may be that I shall never see you again down here. If I don't and I get home first, as in view of my 77 years it seems likely that I shall, I will try to be on the lookout for you, and we will talk things over with him. Your old friend and brother, Thomas L. Fletcher. "'For pity's sake,' said Mrs. Tucker, "'her face a curious mixture of bewilderment and pleasure.' "'Well, well, well,' said Father Tucker. "'That beats all I ever heard of in my life.

Starting point is 04:14:12 "'I know that name, too. "'They have one of the biggest houses in the city, "'and they get their goods right from New York. "'Why, Christy, what does it all mean?' "'Yes,' said Mrs. Tucker. "'That is what I should like to know.' What in the world did you tell him, child? About your wanting a carpet and about my having carpets with ferns on them, and about furniture and all that? What queer talk to an old gentleman and a stranger? How came you to? I didn't mean to do anything wrong, mother. Christy's chin was quivering, and she could hardly control her voice to speak. The fatigues of the day and the excitements of the evening were being almost, too much for her, and at this word of her mother's, which seemed to have a note of reproof in it,

Starting point is 04:15:04 she could hardly keep back the tears. It all seemed real natural. We were there all day, you know, and we had nothing to do, and we couldn't help getting pretty well acquainted, and he asked me what I expected to see at Uncle Daniels, what I had thought a good deal about and planned for, you know, and I couldn't tell him anything but the truth, though I didn't say much of it. I didn't say much about a carpet or furniture, only that I would like to see some like what Uncle Daniel had. I said the most about a piano, but, Mother, I did not dream of such a thing as his ever sending me anything. How could I? And here Christy quite broke down and wiped two tears out of her eyes. Father Tucker never liked to see tears, and always made all the haste he could to dry them.

Starting point is 04:15:56 It is my opinion, mother, from the tone of that letter, that our little girl didn't say anything to be ashamed of. The old gentleman seems to have quite as good an opinion of her as though she had not talked at all. I don't believe there is anything to worry about. Why, of course not, said Mrs. Tucker promptly. She liked tears as little as anybody, especially in her eldest daughter's eyes. "'Who ever thought of blaming Christy? "'I would as soon think of myself saying anything improper as of that child. "'I only felt kind of curious to know how it all came about.

Starting point is 04:16:36 "'It is real wonderful, anyhow. "'But now I'll tell you just what will be a hard and a right thing to do. "'Things that are right are often hard. "'Christy looks all tuckered out, "'and we ought just to wash these dishes and straighten up the room and get to bed and not go near the front room until tomorrow morning. Oh, mother, said Carl, it seemed to him that he should fly up the chimney if he couldn't have a glimpse of some of those wonders in the front room before morning.

Starting point is 04:17:10 Yes, said Mrs. Tucker firmly. They will every one of them keep, and by daylight, when things are cleared up and comfortable, they will look as pretty again as they will tonight, and the children will enjoy it too. Here is Nettie dropped asleep while that letter was being read. Christy, my girl, what do you say? Isn't it the right thing to do? Yes, um, said Christy, rising, her face cleared.

Starting point is 04:17:39 She had been astonished at and ashamed of her tears. She rarely cried, unless she had something to cry for, and knew little about overwrought nerves. I'll clear away, Mother, and you can rest and get Nettie and the baby ready for bed. Come on, Carl, and carry these things out for me. So brisk work commenced again in the little kitchen. The evening had sped away while they were looking and wondering and listening, and it was even now, later than the Tucker children were apt to be awake. The brother and sister talked as they worked, even allowing themselves to guess as to what

Starting point is 04:18:19 color the carpet might be, and what that sort of three-cornered thing was that would neither stand up nor lie down. It was not until the kitchen was in perfect order, and the cakes were set for morning, and Carl had already gone to his room, and Christy, with her shoes in her hand, was ready to slip into the little bedroom beside Nettie, that she stopped before her mother and said, There is one thing I want to ask about tonight. How can I ever do as the letter says about using the things? What good can I do with a pretty carpet or bedstead? The mother's face was thoughtful. She had been asking herself much the same question. I don't know, child. She said at last, slowly, a little sadly. I never heard such talk as that before in my life. It seems kind of queer, and yet I liked it. I don't know much about such things, not near as much as I wish I did. There must be ways of doing that we can find out. We'll ask Mr. Keith, maybe, or we'll study something up. It is a wonderful thing to happen to you, my girl. I guess there is a good deal in it to be proud of,

Starting point is 04:19:38 if the real truth was known, but we mustn't be proud. We'll try to find out. You'll try to find out. You go to bed now, and Mother will come in pretty soon and tuck you up. So Christy went to her room and knelt down only a few minutes, for the room was cold, just long enough to ask God to forgive her for all the sins of the day and take care of her and all her dear ones through the night, and to thank him for the wonderful thing that had happened to her, and to ask him to show her how to use the carpets and the furniture, as the letter said. Then she went to bed, and her mother came and tucked her up and kissed her.

Starting point is 04:20:19 And neither mother nor daughter knew that the furniture had already begun to do work for Jesus by awakening a desire for work. End of Chapter 13 Chapter 14 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Sliberovacs recording is in the public domain. Chapter 14. In Order at Last It was a wonder that the Tucker family had any breakfast the next morning. That great bare, cold front room had such charms for them as were never known before.

Starting point is 04:21:02 Yet they did not open a bundle or even pull away some of the wrappings to catch a glimpse of the mysterious inside. They contented themselves with hovering on the outside of things and saying to one another that they must wait until breakfast was over. but the younger members of the family took many trips from the kitchen to the front room to see if that bundle by the door was probably a chair or what. It is too big for a chair, would Christy say, and yet it is too low for a table or a bureau, and besides, it feels soft and cushiony. I can't think what it is. Then Carl, in his greater knowledge of the world, would explain, it is a charge of the world. It is a chair, you'll see if it isn't. And that one over by the south window is just like it, a great

Starting point is 04:21:54 cushioned chair. They cushion them all over, arms and sides and back and everywhere, so you can't see the wood at all and would think it was made of feathers or something. I saw one at the depot. It was all done up in this yellow-brown stuff, but yet you could sit down in it, and Nick's said it was a library chair that the Burtons wanted down for their part. He said it was all cushioned with green stuff that looked like velvet and had flowers on it. The only answer that Christy made to this was a long-drawn sigh. It expressed her silent wonder over the lovely things that there were in the world, and her desire to see inside this great cushiony bundle was stronger than ever. But all she said was,

Starting point is 04:22:42 Oh dear, the coffee is boiling over, I smell it. Then she raised. Then she raised. The next visit to the front room grew out of a discussion as to whether the bedstead was narrow enough to go in that little niche between the chimney and the door in Christy's room. Carl believed that it was, while Christy thought not. Of course, the only way was to go and measure it. Carl was right, and Christy, in admiration, asked him how he knew. Why, I measured it by my eye, he said, men do that way, you know. I am practicing it. I measure most everything I see in my mind, you know, and try to calculate whether it will go in some place that I think of, and most always I guess it right. This is an exact fit. Mother Tucker came in search of them to tell Carl that she needed another pail of water,

Starting point is 04:23:38 and she sat down on the roll of carpeting and helped them guess what colors were in it, and which way of the room it ought to run, until the kitchen stove took things into its own hands again, and the smell of burning potatoes was wafted in at the open door. Then they all ran. Breakfast was over at last. Christy was surprised to discover that she was not hungry at all, and she raised a hearty laugh by asking her father

Starting point is 04:24:08 if he would have a piece of carpet when she meant Johnny Cake. Now bustle around, said Mother Tucker, and get the dishes washed up as fast as you are a mind to, and then we will all go in and see things. Father can get in from the barn by that time, and Carl can finish his chores and be all ready to help us. Won't that be the best way, my girl? And Christy, piling the cups and saucers together in haste, smothered a sigh of impatience and said, she guessed it would. There was no family worship in the Tucker household. Away back in Mrs. Tucker's Eastern home,

Starting point is 04:24:51 the family used to gather every morning for the father to read in the Bible and pray. Mrs. Tucker often thought of it and felt sorry to see her children growing up without any such memories. But Mr. Tucker was not a Christian, and she had never learned to pray before him nor before her children.

Starting point is 04:25:11 so the children who had never been away from home a night in their lives did not so much as know of this custom which belongs to Christian families. So on this morning, each one sped at once to his or her work and made all possible haste. And at last they met in the front room, and the business of untying knots and ripping basting stitches and unrolling burlaps and wrapping papers, went on briskly, amid constant exclamation, of surprise and delight. A bedstead with real flowers growing on it. At least that was the way they looked to Christy. A soft greenish ground and pink fuchsias bobbing their heads up and down on it. A bureau to match, with a lovely glass set in an oval frame to fit on it. A charming bureau washstand with drawers and locks. And with these wonderful flowers growing on the polished wood. Then there were the chairs to match the other pieces, and the cunning little stand to match them all. There was a center table for the parlor, and a sofa, or rather couch, if they had known the proper name for it,

Starting point is 04:26:25 which had the most lovely covering that Christy had ever even imagined. She stood before it in wondering silent delight, but Mrs. Tucker said, "'There, Christy, now you can see Brussels carpeting. that is real Brussels. Don't you see the flowers all over it, just as I told you? That is the way your Aunt Mary's carpet used to look in Boston. But by this time, Carl was giving a peculiar little clucking noise with his tongue in his cheeks, which Christy knew meant wonder and delight. She turned quickly, just as he said, Chris, look here. He had thrown aside the wrappings of the cushiony bundle, and behold a great armchair, the like of which none of them had ever seen before,

Starting point is 04:27:13 upholstered until it was, Mr. Tucker declared, as good as any old-fashioned feather bed he ever saw, and covered with soft green cloth that actually had flowers stamped on it. It must certainly be much like the one at Burton's that Nick had described, but think of it standing in their front room. "'Mother,' said Christy, her face aglow, her voice in a tremble of excitement. "'Sit down in it. Oh, mother, do! I want to see how you look.' "'For pity's sake,' said Mrs. Tucker, which was what she always said when she did not know how to express her feelings. Why, it is large enough for the whole family to sit in at once. Dear me, it must be stuffed with feathers. I never saw anything softer, and it just fits into your back. I could sleep here as well as not. Come up here, baby, there is room for you. So the baby climbed gleefully into the great soft corner, and Nettie climbed to the other side, and behold, there was room for both. But Carl had dashed at the other cushiony bundle, and in a very few minutes he we

Starting point is 04:28:31 wield it forward and said, Father, take a seat. And Christy curled in a little heap at her mother's feet and hid her head in her mother's lap, and Carl leaned on the arm of his father's chair, and Mr. Tucker, as he took a seat beside the mother and looked around on his family, said, with a curious quiver in his voice,

Starting point is 04:28:54 I reckon these are the chairs that the governor sent to our little girl, A mother? I'm sure it was not any wonder that Christy cried, though when Carl asked her presently what in the world she was crying about, she looked up and laughed and said she was sure she didn't know. Look here, said Mother Tucker briskly, trying to rise from her couch. Let's drag the carpet into the other room. This room is too full to get a good view of it, and it is chilly here besides. I'll tell you what it is Jonas, now that the front room is going to get furnished for us in the most unheard-of way, we must just get that stove and set it up here, and have a fire now and then, and come in and look at the things, now won't we? And the father, as he stooped to take hold of an end of the great roll of carpeting and help Carl drag it to the kitchen, answered that he guessed they would

Starting point is 04:29:53 try for it. Ever since the tuckers had built their little home, they had talked and planned together about furnishing the front room. Each spring, the mother had cheerily said that by fall they must try to manage it. In the summer, they could get along without the front room very well, because they spent so much time out of doors, and every fall she had surely said that the crops had not been quite so good this summer as they had hoped, and they must try to get along without furnishing the front room until spring. The winters were so cold it was more comfortable in the kitchen anyway, and next spring they would try for it. So the springs and autumn's had come and gone, and left the front room floor bare, and three chairs for the only furniture. The children had not lost faith in their father and mother, for they knew that

Starting point is 04:30:48 the resolve was as strong as ever to furnish the front room as soon as they could. But they had begun to understand that with the best of intentions, the furnishing might still be a great way off, and here it had come in the night. Dropped down in the snowstorm, said Carl, or might as well for all that we knew about. Oh, that carpet! How shall I describe to you what it said to the beauty-loving little girl as her father and Carl spread the glowing thing on the floor and matched the brets and then stood back in silent enjoyment. Christy looked and laughed and said, Oh, mother, only see the red berries. Doesn't it seem as though we could pick them? Oh, look at baby. She is going to try. Sure enough, the baby, after gazing in silence for a minute, scrambled down in

Starting point is 04:31:46 haste, a business-like look on his face, stepped into the very center of the glowing carpet, seated himself, and dived after a handful of leaves and berries, then looked at his empty hand in grave surprise. Everybody laughed, but there was more than laughter in Mrs. Tucker's voice, as she said, it does remind me of the woods, Jonas, of that piece just behind grandfather's further barn, where we walked one afternoon, and picked checkerberries for grandma and gathered leaves to press for mother. Don't you remember? And promised each other to walk through the wood together always after that, said Father Tucker, and there was an unusual sound in his voice, too. Yes, I remember it. And did you always walk

Starting point is 04:32:38 together? asked Nettie, who thought it sounded like a story of which she wanted to hear the end. Then they laughed, that father and mother, until the tears started in their eyes, but the father answered Nettie. Yes, we did, right straight through the woods, some of them thick and dark, but after all, we most always found leaves and berries. Always, said the mother, and the older children dimly understood, but Nettie looked from one to another with a wondering little sigh and said, I wish you'd take me with you. Why, we did, said both father and mother,

Starting point is 04:33:22 and then they went off again into shouts of laughter, and even Carl and Christy were a little puzzled to know what it was all about. Altogether, the tuckers never had such a day. To be sure, before its close, the mother said that it was very fortunate that such days were rare. She did not know what would become of them if it were otherwise. Strange things happened in the kitchen. Matters that were not used to taking care of themselves

Starting point is 04:33:52 ran wild and did as they pleased. The bread sponge pleased to get light before anybody thought of such a thing and ran over the pan, making a sticky mess of the bread blankets, and then finding itself still unattended to, it sulked and soured and had to be coaxed and padded and sweetened with soda, and tasted at last, Christy said, more like Sarah Ann's bread than any she had ever eaten in her mother's house before. This was only one of the many things that happened, which should not have been. The baby was busy. Whoever knew an extra day in a family with a baby that he didn't do a hundred unexpected and distracting things. This baby tipped over a pail of water on himself and had to be dressed to his skin, the mother said, whatever that strange-sounding sentence means, but this did not compare with the

Starting point is 04:34:50 last thing he tipped over, which was a bowl of molasses, and in that he dabbled curly head and all, until when discovered, he was a sight to behold. Besides, he bumped his head twice, and got a sliver in his finger. Altogether, I think the most of the members of the Tucker family breathed a sigh of relief when the day was done, and they felt that by the next morning they would probably awaken to take the world more naturally. From that time, for a week, much work was done. It was not the busy season on the little farm, so the mother gave herself steadily to the unusual work of putting the front room in order. The carpet was matched and cut and sewed. Everybody helped. The father, with Carl's help, matched and cut it. Carl, with a large needle, whipped the ends.

Starting point is 04:35:47 Christy and her mother sewed on the heavy seams. Nettie threaded needles, and the baby believed himself to be assisting when he took his small hand and gave the carpet a few earnest slaps. Nobody could understand just what that meant, until Carl, suddenly rolling over on the floor, declared amid bursts of laughter that he believed that he was whipping it. After the sewing came the tacking. What a thing it was to be sure to get that heavy Brussels carpet laid smoothly and tacked firmly. Mr. Tucker, winter day, though it was, mopped his hot forehead again and again with his handkerchief, and declared that he would not have dreamed of its being such a job, and the people who ought to get the best wages going were the carpet men.

Starting point is 04:36:40 But at last it was down, and beautifully down too, trust Jonas Tucker for doing well whatever he undertook. The last tack is in. He called to the mother and Christy one afternoon. Now come and look at it. It was a job, I tell you. and I never should have got it smooth if Carl hadn't held on like a soldier. But isn't it a beauty? I really suppose you have no idea what a difference that carpet seemed to make in the great front room. The walls had been made very white before it went down. And, of course, the woodwork was as clean as hands could make it,

Starting point is 04:37:22 but who would have supposed that the bright carpet would seem to set everything about it into a glow of beauty. Then they moved in the furniture. It had occupied an unused room during this time and been carefully covered, so that really they had never half seen its beauty. But when they took their places, the couch in the pretty niche between the mantle and the south window, and a lovely table in the center of the room, and the great chairs, which seemed to fill up all the broad spaces at the right and left of the front windows, and the other chairs arranged by the tasteful hand of the mother, I am sure I wish I could give you an idea of how the room looked to them. The three-cornered piece of furniture, over which Christy and Carl had wondered before it was unpacked, was still an

Starting point is 04:38:13 object of curious interest to Christy. It was tall, and had what she called a steeple-top beautifully carved, and it had many shelves, and it fitted into one of the corners of the long room as though it had been made for that particular spot. But what was the name of it, and what was to go on all those pretty shelves? "'They can't be for dishes,' said Puzzled Christy, for people don't keep dishes in their front rooms, do they mother?' And the mother laughed and said some people did, she supposed, but they had none to spare for the parlor. Then she brought forth her eastern knowledge for the benefit of her little girl

Starting point is 04:38:57 who had never been outside of her own plane home. I know the name of it, Christy. It is a what-not, and people keep their pretty things in it, vases you know, and shells and treasures of any kind, and books. Books, repeated Carl wistfully. What the boy wanted was books. "'Books!' repeated Christy eagerly. "'What the girl meant to have some day was books.

Starting point is 04:39:27 "'Well, we haven't any yet. "'We'll fill ours with books when we get them, won't we, Carl? "'But we have no vases or shells, nor treasures of that kind. "'What will we put on until we get some?' "'I like the name of it. "'What not? Hasn't it a pretty sound? "'What can we put on it?' Then the mother stood thoughtfully looking into the days that were gone. At last she spoke.

Starting point is 04:39:55 We might bring out the big Bible, Christy, for the lower shelf, in the pictures of your grandfather and grandmother. I have one of mine. Your grandfather Tucker died before such things as pictures were known. Then I have a few shells your Uncle James brought from the Pacific coast. Oh, we can dress it up, I think. No sooner said then, done. So the handsome Bible, one of Mrs. Tucker's wedding presents, was brought out of its hiding place in a large old trunk and carefully laid in its place on the whatnot. The first time a family Bible had appeared in the Tucker family. There never seemed to be any place for it, said Mrs. Tucker, as she carefully took the tissue paper from the clasps. I laid it away for safekeeping, but I always meant to get it out

Starting point is 04:40:48 when we furnished the room. It fits nicely on that shelf. I like to see it. And neither she nor her daughter realized that new furniture was beginning already to work for the honor of the elder brother. End of Chapter 14. Chapter 15 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibrovox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 15. The gift acknowledged. The next thing was a stove. The young Tuckers could not believe it possible that one was really coming, but father and mother were agreed that such should be the case. It was queer, the mother said. Very queer indeed. But when they were in town day before yesterday, they went into the stove store for a new shovel, and the man had offered them a second-hand stove, as good as new, real cheap, and father had

Starting point is 04:41:53 said then, if we had anything to put with it in the front room, we would buy that stove for it is a bargain, and I don't know but we better as it is, for we may never have so good a chance again. And they had talked about it all the way home, but it had seemed rather foolish to buy a stove when there wasn't another thing to help furnish with. And there, when they reached home, they found the furniture had come. So the first thing the father did next day, day was to send word to town that he would take that stove, and now he was going in to see about pipe and bring out the stove. Wonderful times had come to the tuckers. I am wrong, though, about the stove being the next thing. The next thing had been the writing of a letter to Mr. Thomas

Starting point is 04:42:42 Fletcher, Christy's first letter. It created a good deal of excitement in the Tucker family. The father himself went to town and bought a choir of nice paper and envelopes to match and a new steel pen for Christy. She had a pen holder and took daily lessons in writing, but the pen had done good service, and it was decided that for this occasion she ought to have a new one. I thought I might as well get a choir while I was about it. Mr. Tucker said, in a half-apologetic tone, as his wife looked at the paper, and he fancied he saw surprise in her face at the quantity. Christy will be writing other letters maybe as she grows older. I would like to have her write to her Uncle Daniel once in a while, and there may be others.

Starting point is 04:43:35 This Mr. Fletcher might write to her again. Nobody thought this very probable, and as for writing to her Uncle Daniel, or rather to his city wife, Aunt Louise, Christy privately thought that she really would much rather write to Mr. Fletcher. She felt better acquainted with him. However, she rejoiced in her box of pretty paper and gave it a place of honor on the wonderful what-not, and thereafter was busy during her leisure moments for two days, getting a letter ready to send to Mr. Fletcher. She wrote and rewrote it on her slate, consulting with Carl over the sentences, until he knew them by heart and sung them through the house to a popular tune, greatly to Christy's dismay. At last the letter was written on one of the new sheets of paper, the envelope addressed by Christy's own hand, the important little green stamp

Starting point is 04:44:34 affixed to the right-hand corner, and the document was ready for the mail. Not a bad-looking document either. You girls who dash off a letter every few days to somebody, being careless as to whether each word has the correct spelling and each capital is in its place, and forgetting the punctuation marks altogether, and filling the lines with descriptions of things that were perfectly splendid, when you only mean that they were very pretty, or talking of something that was just horrid, when you only mean that it was rather unpleasant, need not have been ashamed to have had Christie's carefully written letter travel in the same mailbag. Really, before it is sealed, you shall have a peep at it, just to see what you think of the little

Starting point is 04:45:23 girl who had never been to school a day in her life. Kiwani, January 18. Dear Mr. Fletcher, I remember you very well. I don't think I ever can forget you. I think of my journey on the car is a great deal. And now I have so many beautiful things to remind me of it all the time. I don't know how to thank you, but, mother says if you knew how glad I was over them every day, she thinks you would be thanked. There was carpet enough for the front room and my room, and a nice large piece left over for

Starting point is 04:46:00 mother's room. I wanted mother to have the whole one for hers, but she said that would not be polite to you, and that she would rather I had it anyway. I knew that because she would rather we children should have things than to have them herself. I suppose mothers are are always so. The carpet is the, I was going to say the prettiest one I ever saw, but I never saw one before, only a rag carpet, and this doesn't look any more like a rag carpet, it seems to me, than the sky looks like our blue wash tub. It is most the prettiest thing I ever saw in my life, except the moss and the real true berries out in the woods in the spring, I think it is quite the prettiest. I would like to have you look in our front room. It is so nice. My brother Carl says he should not

Starting point is 04:46:53 know that he had ever seen the room before. It is so changed. The sofa just fits a place between the mantelpiece and a window, and the two lovely chairs are by the south window, and when the sun shines on them, they look as though they were made of moss. I don't let the sun shine on them much, for fear it will fade them, only once in a while to make a picture. My little sister Nettie is trying to make a picture on her slate of one of the chairs, and she made one so natural that father said he could most sit down on it. The chair is large enough for Mother and Nettie and the baby, and when Father takes the other one and has Carl on one side and me on the other, he says, Now Mother, we are seated in our treasures, and our treasures are seated with us.

Starting point is 04:47:45 Who's so happy as we? And we are truly very happy indeed, and you did it all. I cannot think why you and the governor are so good. Father thinks perhaps I ought to write a letter to the governor and thank him, but I am afraid to do that, for I don't know him so well as I do you, and if you would only be so kind as to tell him

Starting point is 04:48:09 when he comes to see you how much we thank him, I will be very glad, and I am sure he will like that better than to be troubled with a letter. The bedstead fits right into a niche in my room. Carl thought it would. He measured it with his eye. I didn't think so, but Carl was right. Father says he has a very true eye, and that he ought to have a chance to learn mathematics. Carl says he is going to learn them without a chance, that he hasn't time to wait for any chances. The flowers on the bedstead and bureau are so natural that my little sister tries hard to pick them, and she tries to pick the berries from the carpet, too, and looks so surprised when they won't come. We are going to have a stove in the front room, and once in a while have a

Starting point is 04:49:01 fire so we can enjoy looking at all the lovely things. And now that we have the front room so pretty, we are going to invite the minister to tea. I wish you could come and sit with him. I know you would like him. His name is Mr. Keith. Mother thinks I am making my letter too long, and I do too. And it seems to me that I haven't thanked you much after all. I don't seem to know how to do it. But I do feel so truly thankful in my heart that I most want to cry sometimes I am so happy. I want to ask you, sir, if you ever hear anything of that dear baby. I did love him so. I would like to see his sweet face and hear his pretty voice.

Starting point is 04:49:45 I do hope he is well and has kept his mother safe. Your grateful little sister, Christy Tucker. For pity's sake, child, the mother had said. You are making that letter too long altogether. I know it, said Christy meekly, But you see, Mother, I don't know how to write a letter. I only just know how to talk to him as I did in the cars, and he is different from other people. He seems to like talk. I don't know about your telling him all that about your father and all of us sitting in the chairs, and about the children with their queer fancies. It sounds rather familiar. What will he care about all that? I don't know why he cares, said Christy positively. But he did care to hear about us all, and ask questions, how old Nettie was, and how the baby looked, and all that. Why, mother, he is different from other people, you know.

Starting point is 04:50:47 Why did he care to send me all those nice things, do you suppose? And then the mother said, sure enough, and perhaps he would like the letter, she should, she knew, if she were away from home and it were written to her. and Christy said that her desire had been to let him see things in the front room and see how nice they looked so that he would be pleased with all his work. You might have left that out about my having a true why and meaning to study mathematics. He certainly doesn't care for that, and it would have made the letter several lines shorter. This was Carl's suggestion, but Christy declared that she wanted to say that. She didn't know why. She just felt as though it ought to go in, and she meant to put it in.

Starting point is 04:51:37 Still, the letter did seem very long, and I don't know that it would have been sent, had not Mr. Keith come out to make a call on the very evening when they were talking it over, and what did the father do but say? Let's leave it to Mr. Keith. He is used to letters. Christy, read out your letter to him, and see if he thinks it is too long or too familiar. then had Christy's cheeks grown very red, and she had whispered to her mother that she was sure she couldn't do that. But Mr. Keith had seemed to be very much interested, and had urged the reading, and besides, Christy was in the habit of obeying her father, and her mother whispered to her that she might leave that part out about inviting him to tea. So, with a frightened little voice, she began the reading.

Starting point is 04:52:27 Nobody knew what was the matter with Mr. Keith. He got out his white handkerchief and coughed and wiped his mouth and his nose and his eyes. Certainly he seemed to have taken a hard cold since he came into the warm, bright kitchen. But no sooner was the letter finished, then he cleared his voice to say that not a line of it ought to be omitted. He thought the old gentleman would feel grieved if there were one word less than had been told. told him. I don't understand writing letters very well, Christy explained. This is the first one I ever wrote, and I kept forgetting it was a letter, and I thought I was talking with him. He talked to me a good deal on the cars, and seemed to want to know about the children and everything. Of course he did, Mr. Keith said, and then he added something over which Christy pondered curiously for many a day. See here, Christy, If I were you, I would not try to learn how to write letters.

Starting point is 04:53:32 I would just keep on talking to people when I wrote to them. I think it is the best way for you. Did he mean that she would never know enough to write regular letters? Christy wondered. This settled the matter of shortening the letter. After Mr. Keith had gone, Carl sat looking thoughtfully at it, and at last burst forth with a new idea. Chris, they most always have postscripts in letters.

Starting point is 04:54:00 What are postscripts? Why, things that you put in after you think that you are all through. Down at the depot, while I am waiting for the milk train, the man at the desk is always reading letters. He reads aloud, and the other one makes speeches. In almost every letter there is a postscript. Yesterday he was reading one about some corn that was to be shipped, and the other man said,

Starting point is 04:54:26 "'Doesn't he say anything about the bill? That is queer business.' "'No,' Mr. Jones said. "'Or hold on,' and he turned over the leaf, "'here's a post-script. "'P.S., you may draw on Jenkins' and company "'for the amount due.'

Starting point is 04:54:43 "'And the man over by the safe said, "'he always puts the important part of his letter in a postscript. "'And they most always have them, don't they, father?' Mr. Tucker was laughing. There were things about his boy and girl which seemed to amuse him very much. Why, if they have forgotten something that they ought to have said, they added in that way, he explained at last. But I want to know what it means, persisted Christy. I don't know the word, and it sounds queerly. It has nothing to do with a post as I see. Whereupon Carl went to the shelf and,

Starting point is 04:55:22 in the corner cupboard and brought out a little fat brown book with one cover gone, the old copy of Webster's dictionary that had come with them from their eastern home. One of Mr. Tucker's dreams of future greatness was to own a Webster unabridged, but every year there were so many necessary things to buy that Webster stayed behind. Post-script, a paragraph or part added to a writing. This he read in triumph, but Christy remarked plainly that it still did not tell her why. I suppose Webster unabridged would tell. This the father said, and Carl added, that he did wish that they had him under a bridge or on a bridge or somehow. Then they all laughed and felt better.

Starting point is 04:56:13 They do have them anyhow, affirmed Carl. I've heard the men talking about post-school. often. And seeing you don't know when you will write another letter, I think it would be nice to put one in. Well, said Christy meditatively, there is something I have forgotten. Would you put it in a postscript, mother? If I wanted to, said the mother, who often didn't know whether to laugh or cry over her children. There was such a different childhood from hers. The old home had been full of books and papers, and letters coming and going were not unusual things. She might have known much about Webster unabridged

Starting point is 04:56:57 to tell her children now if she had only cared to study it in her youth. What a pity it seemed to her sometimes that she could not have known in those old days in New England how much she would want to know to tell Carl and Christy some day. This mother had had chances and had neglected some of them. Her children certainly were not doing that. But bless your heart, I know children who are doing it today, and the time is coming to them swiftly when they will be so sorry.

Starting point is 04:57:31 They don't write it out in full, explained Mr. Tucker, seeing that preparation was being made to add the postscript. They use an abbreviation, a capital P and a capital S with periods after them. is that so replied karl speaking very respectfully every little while he discovered a mind of unexplored knowledge in his father and felt his admiration of him rising and this was the way that christie tuckers already long letter came to have a p s added p s i have thought a great deal about what you said about using the pretty carpet and the chairs and all the lovely things to honor Jesus with, but I don't think I know how to do it, only there is a boy and a girl who live pretty near us. Their names are Lucius and Lucy Cox, and they are very poor, and their kitchen isn't nice and bright and neat like ours, and they never have nice things to eat. And I was thinking, maybe if I let them see all the pretty things and helped them have a good time, it would be

Starting point is 04:58:42 using the things in a way to please the elder brother, but I don't know as it would. How shall I end it? She asked at this point. Do they end it again? But this Carl did not know. He had never seen postscripts, only heard of them. Neither was the father sure whether it was proper to sign the name again. Dear, said Christy, I wish I knew. I had such a time finding a good way to sign the letter. And truly she had. It took a half hour of discussion and of trying the look of various ways on the slate, until she had settled down to the nice sounding sentence, your grateful little sister, Christy Tucker. It certainly could not be right to put all that down again. Then did the mother rouse from her musings. There had come before her, as plainly as though written

Starting point is 04:59:39 on the blank sheet of Christy's paper which lay in her lap, the memory of a letter received many years ago from an old uncle, who had been in heaven for fifteen years. A business letter it had been, short and to the point, as the old uncle's work always was, and his name had been signed in full, your uncle, Eliab Perkins Howe. At the foot of the page there had been this. P.S. Nis-Q-Q-Q-S. Nis-Ques. Christine, have you given yourself soul and body for time and for eternity to the Lord, and do you live as though you always belonged to him? E.P.H. You sign your initials, said Mother Tucker, just the initials of your name, C.H.T. and nothing else. Do you? said Christy, relieved and pleased.

Starting point is 05:00:35 Well, I can make a pretty age, I think. I like that. and while she carefully made her pretty age and carl looked over her shoulder and advised the mother went back to the postscript of long ago and remembered how far how very far short she had come of living as though she belonged soul and body to the lord and wondered what she would do to make the fact surer to her own heart and to the eyes of her family. How industriously that new furniture was working for his glory, and nobody knew it. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 16. Unexpected Company

Starting point is 05:01:31 A bright winter afternoon, and they were in the parlor having a wonderful time. The way that fire burned in that new stove was a continual source of delight. No stove like it had the young Tucker's ever sat beside, delicate little windows all around, which glowed and sparkled or showed the forked flames of a lovely blue. Those great black lumps of coal looked so hard and gloomy when they were poured in, and took beautiful hues soon after, that Carl and Christy were never weary of watching and speculating. Today, though, there was something of more importance than even the fire. For the first time in their lives, they had invited the minister to tea. He had arrived in good time, and hung his overcoat in the little hall, and rubbed his hands before the glowing fire, and taken a seat in one of the great easy chairs and said, well now, isn't this comfortable? And the Tuckers, every one of them, thought it was. Mr. Tucker, at first inclined to be a little shy of the minister, had exerted himself as the host, and found it not so hard a thing, after all, to talk with a sensible man who knew

Starting point is 05:02:49 something about farms as well as books, and seemed anxious to know more, for he asked a great many questions concerning things that Mr. Tucker did not know he either thought or cared about. Then Carl, who had declared all the morning that he was not coming into the parlor at all, for he did not want to see the minister, and that the minister did not want to see him, had brushed his hair and put on a fresh collar and washed his hands until they glowed, and when Christy, who had been sent to get the almanac to decide a question of dates, came back, she found him sitting in a chair near the minister. That gentleman had his arm on the back of the chair and was leaning toward Carl and saying, So my boy, you see, we must be the best of friends

Starting point is 05:03:39 since we are namesakes. And Carl was looking pleased and stayed and listened to the talk until it was time to help with the chores. It was an afternoon to remember. Other things happened. It was Christy herself who first saw the fine carriage and the gay horses and uttered an exclamation of surprise, almost of dismay, as they halted before the gate. Mr. Keith paused in his sentence and looked out of the window. "'Ah,' he said, "'you are going to have more company, I think, Mrs. Tucker. Here is Mr. Burton's carriage stopping at your gate.'

Starting point is 05:04:19 "'Mother,' said Christy, in a low, eager tone. It is Wells, and he has to walk with a cane. Shall I go to the door, or will father? Why, your father will see to it, child. He has been sent here on an errand, I suppose. So Mr. Tucker went out to receive Wells, but his errand apparently was not at the door, for he came limping in. How do you do? He said heartily, not a bit embarrassed by his cane. This is Mrs. Tucker, I believe. I am very glad to see you, ma'am, because you are my friend Christy's mother. I should never have been here to see you, but for her, you know. That is, I mean I should not have been anywhere. He stood beside Mrs. Tucker, shaking her hand, and looking handsome and happy. Christy had slipped

Starting point is 05:05:13 into a seat at her mother's side, but he turned to her. Here is my traveling companion. You reached home safely, I see. So did I, thanks to you. Aren't you glad to see me? I have been in a tremendous hurry to get out here. Came the first day the doctor would let me. Won't you introduce me to your friend and your brother? Poor Christy's cheeks glowed hotter than the fire. She had never introduced any people in her life. It was worse than a postscript to a letter. How did they begin, she wondered. but Mr. Keith did not want an introduction. I was waiting for my turn, he said cheerily. I am glad to see you, sir.

Starting point is 05:05:58 I know your face very well by this time and your name, so we ought to consider ourselves acquainted, though you were not at home when I called upon your mother. They were shaking hands by this time, like old friends, and Christy could only look on and admire. How easily it was done. Welles turned at once to Carl. We are acquainted, he said, if Mr. Keith is right, I have known this long time that you were Carl Tucker, and I suppose you have known that I was Wells Burton. So now let us shake hands and consider it settled.

Starting point is 05:06:37 What a thing it was to know just what to say and how to say it, and to feel so much at ease. It seemed so pleasant to think of this boy shaking hands with Carl. He was much taller than Carl and looked a good deal older, and of course he knew more. But she could not help wishing he knew how strong Carl was, and how helpful to his father, and how sensibly he talked about the work on the farm. He has almost as good judgment as a man. She had heard her father say, If Wells Burton knew those things, he could not help liking Carl,

Starting point is 05:07:15 even if he did blush and look down at his strong, boots and feel unable to say a word before the handsome city-bred boy. But Wells did not wait for words. He had already turned back to Mrs. Tucker. My mama sent a message by me, ma'am. She is very sorry that she has not been able to call and see you since my accident and escape. She thought of writing, but she said you would know how hard it was for a mother to put her heart on paper, and she hoped every day to get out here, but my brother had an alarming illness that has kept her right by his side day and night. And my father was telegraphed for, on the very evening on which I was hurt, and went east by the morning train, where he has been detained ever since. He wrote that he was afraid you and Mr. Tucker

Starting point is 05:08:06 would think he was a man without a heart, but he hoped to be able to convince you to the contrary very soon. He is coming home tomorrow and will be out as soon after reaching home as possible, but I was resolved on being first. It sounded just like a speech in a book. Admiring Christy could think of no other way to describe it to herself, and as for her mother, she was as bad as Carl she could think of nothing to say. To be sure, she had said to Christy only a few days before that a body would think the Bertons might say thank you when all the trained men said that Christy's quick-wittedness had saved their boy's life. But then she had not expected thanks, for she had added as a sort of second thought to her first remark, to be sure we don't want

Starting point is 05:08:59 their thanks, and they would feel kind of foolish trying to give them, for of course they are thankful, and they know that we know it. So what's the use? This, however, would not do to say to Wells, and so while he waited, his bright, glad eyes fixed on her, she blushed and stammered a little. It would not do to say she would be glad to see his mother, for she felt in her heart that she did not want to see her. So at last she said, why, as to that, folks can't say things in this world of that kind. They can only feel them. And as for Christy, she only did what was right. The bright-eyed boy laughed. Yes, he said. It was right, but the thing was to think of it and then to do it in a hurry. It was grand, wasn't it, Mr. Keith? Oh, Christy, I saw one of your friends yesterday. I haven't told you. I haven't told you. you why I didn't get here before. I came out one day last week on purpose to see you, and getting

Starting point is 05:10:07 off the cars, I forgot all about my lame ankle, and gave a hop that sort of twisted it, and it kept me awake half the night, and on the sofa all the next day. And as I promised Mama to be back in the city by the next night, I had to go without doing what I came out for. Well, going back, I saw the mother of the baby. My baby? eagerly interrupted Christy, forgetting all about listeners, and intent only on hearing from the dear baby whom she had taken into her heart that day. "'Yes, your baby. I knew her, of course, the moment I caught sight of her, the mother, I mean, and I went forward and took a seat near her, and asked at once after his majesty. She said he

Starting point is 05:10:54 was well, and in his grandmother's arms she hoped at that moment. He had not been on the cars, since that dreadful day, and she did not know as she could ever let him go on them again. She begged his grandmother not to let him out of her sight while she was away. I couldn't help telling her that I thought it was the baby who ought to have arranged for her to be looked after. He didn't get lost, I told her. If I remembered correctly, it was she who was missing. The baby was in his seat and remained in the cars until he reached his journey's end. But she was the the one who skipped. Did you tell her that? asked Christy in great amusement.

Starting point is 05:11:37 She was thinking how impossible it would have been for her to have talked in such a merry way with that grand lady. Yes, I did, he said, laughing. We had such a time doing without her that day that it seemed to me she didn't fully appreciate which of them made the trouble. She says the little fellow is well and as bright as ever. I told her I knew he had strong lungs. She laughed a great deal over my story as to how he managed us all that day. She asked a hundred or so questions about you, and when I told her that I hoped to see you in a few days, she sent a message by me. I was to tell you that she had been sick and had not been able to carry out certain plans, which was the reason that you had not heard from her, but she thought you would in a very few days. "'Heard from her,' repeated Christy, her eyes bright with excitement and surprise.

Starting point is 05:12:35 "'Why, is she going to write to me? I never thought of such a thing. Oh, Carl, there will be another letter to answer.' "'Sure enough,' said Wells, looking over to Mr. Keith and laughing outright. It is very strange she should ever think of you again. Probably she wanted her baby to bump around on that floor and kill himself, and was a little disappointed because you didn't allow him to do so. Over this, Christy exclaimed indignantly, then followed a good deal of animated talk, questions and answers about that baby and that baby's mother. Wells was so bright a talker and was so undoubtedly interested in the baby, that Carl was drowned out of his reserve to ask questions and offer suggestions, and at last the young people were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Starting point is 05:13:29 "'We are left out in the cold,' said Mr. Keith, smiling, as at last the three heads drew nearer together, and the voices dropped a little. Then he drew his chair a little nearer to Mr. Tucker, and the mother slipped away to see about the nice supper she was prepared, preparing, giving the minister a chance to speak some earnest words that he very much wanted to speak. "'I say, Christy,' said Wells, suddenly looking at his watch, "'I suppose I must go home unless—' "'Do you think you could coax your mother to let me stay to tea?' "'Why,' said Christy, shocked at that way of putting it, and gleeful over the suggestion. "'Would you really stay? Mother!'

Starting point is 05:14:16 As that lady entered the room again, Wells wants to know if he may stay to tea. Her voice was Mary, and her eyes were dancing. Carl looked at her in silent amazement. The idea of their Christie being well enough acquainted with that handsome young fellow to call him Wells right before his face, and the idea of asking if he might stay to their house to tea. Why, why, said Mrs. Tucker in a flutter of surprise, "'What a question, child! Don't you know we shall be glad enough to have him, if he will?' "'Well, he will,' said the young visitor, joyfully. "'It is dreadfully lonesome at home, nobody there but the housekeeper, and the rest of them.

Starting point is 05:15:03 "'No, ma'am, my people are in the city, but they are coming out the last of the week. "'I shall like to stay very much indeed. I'll go right out and tell Dennis when to come for me.' he reached for his cane and karl sprang to wait on him and to offer to do the errand and finally they went out together and stood by the handsome carriage which had just drawn up in front of the gate stood there and talked first with denis and then with each other and at last walked slowly back toward the house and then turned off and went to the barn christie from the window watched them until the great barn door closed after them then gave a little sigh of satisfaction. It was very nice to think of Carl and Wells Burton as having a visit in the barn together. Carl could certainly never be so much afraid of him after this as he had been, and would not look so sober and so sort of left out when she told him things about that journey connected with Wells. Mr. Keith watched her happy face. What is the pleasant thought

Starting point is 05:16:14 that shines on it? He asked her. Christy turned suddenly and found that she was alone with the minister. She blushed a little and came away from the window, and following his motioning hand, took a seat quite near him. How is it, Christy? he asked, in all these happy times, and with this pretty room to sit in, and the new friends to think about, and their presence to enjoy, does the best friend seem nearer or farther away. Oh, Mr. Keith, he isn't far away. He seems to me as though he came nearer every day. And there was something I wanted to ask you. Mother said perhaps you would help us. These things you know, this pretty furniture and the carpet and everything, they were to be used for the sake of the elder brother. That is what he said, and of course I must use them so, or I would not have any

Starting point is 05:17:10 right to them, and I don't think I know how. Mother and I have tried to think of ways, but I can't seem to settle on any. Could you help me, sir, if you please? Why, I think you have found ways already. Haven't the pretty things helped you to make a chance for me to come here and visit you, and get acquainted with your father, and have a little talk with him about this friend? You know he has been busy or away from home when I have been here before. But this afternoon, he stayed at home to visit with me, and we have had a pleasant talk. Oh, but, said Christy, her eyes bright, those are lovely things that we like so much. They are just helping ourselves. We wanted you to come a good while ago, but we never could fix things so that Mother thought they would do. But we are

Starting point is 05:18:03 just doing this for ourselves, because we like it. this isn't work for Jesus. You can't be sure of that little friend. The fact is, when we really want to please him, nearly everything that he gives us to do becomes, after a while, such pleasant work, that we would rather do it than not just for our own sakes. Is that so? She asked, surprised. I was looking for a hard thing to do. Are there not some hard things, sir? I thought of one. I thought of one. I thought of one. I was, that I would not like to do, and that perhaps I ought, but I don't know about it, and mother said she didn't. She said perhaps it would do more harm than good, but I might try it if I thought best, and I thought I would wait until I asked you. Tell me all about it, he said, sitting back in his chair. Some things look hard on the outside, but have pleasant things hidden inside the shell,

Starting point is 05:19:03 like a nut, you know. "'Well,' said Christy, smoothing out her white apron, "'you know those Cox people who live on the next street "'back from the road a little way?' "'I am not sure that I do. "'Cocks? I don't remember that name. "'The next street above here?' "'Yes, sir. Well, it isn't exactly a street.

Starting point is 05:19:26 "'It is a sort of lane. "'They live in a little log house. "'I don't suppose you are acquainted with them after all. They are very poor, bad acting people. At least the father is. He drinks hard cider most all the time, and they don't ever go to church. And the children, Lucius and Lucy, are about the age of Carl and me. They are dreadful acting children, and they are not clean. Lucy doesn't have her hair combed, and Lucius has holes in his clothes, not patches you know, but holes. They must have dreadful times. I went to the house one day for mother. Their baby was sick, and they had sent for mother, and she sent to me to bring her some things, and it was a dreadful looking place. And what was your thought about them, little sister? The minister's voice had a very gentle sound, almost a humble one, if Christy had known it. He was beginning to wonder whether God had sent

Starting point is 05:20:28 him there to get some help, as well as to give some. Why, said Christy, twisting the hem of her apron a little in her embarrassment. I didn't know, but maybe if I had them here one day, and showed them my pretty room and all our nice things, and tried to be real pleasant to them and treat them like company, and we got them a nice tea, warmed potatoes, and good healthy things, you know, and a little bit of cake, maybe it might do them some good, but I wasn't sure, because they were, because they were would have to go right back home, you see, and maybe be hungry the very next day, and sleep in that dark room off the kitchen where the baby was sick, and mother said she did not know she was sure

Starting point is 05:21:14 whether it would do good or harm. And that was one of the hard things which you did not want to do? Can you tell me that side of it? I mean, can you explain why you did not want to do it? Why, you see, they are not very clean. hands and faces, and I thought maybe they would handle our things and leave dirt marks on them, and sit down in these pretty chairs and soil them. And, oh, I don't know, there were other reasons. Carl said we would not know what in the world to say to them, and I don't suppose we would. But then we were all willing to try if it was the right way, but none of us knew. We asked father, and he said Mr. Cox was a poor shack, and he guessed.

Starting point is 05:22:01 there couldn't be much made of his family, and maybe the best way was to let them alone. But then the next morning he said that maybe that wasn't the right kind of talk, and we must do, Mother and I, as we thought best. And you see, we didn't know what we thought. I see, said the minister, and he drew out his handkerchief and wiped his face and his eyes. Then he was still for so long that Christy thought he had forgotten all about, about it. At last he spoke. I believe, Christy, if I were you, I would try it. There is nothing like trying. I don't know the Cox children, nor their parents. I passed that old house last week, and wondered who lived there. I am glad to find out. You are helping me, you see, and but for these

Starting point is 05:22:53 pretty things, perhaps you would never have told me about the Cox children. What if you carry out your plan and have that nice supper with the warmed potatoes you know and invite me to come too why would you said christie too amazed to add another word for a moment then she said well if mother will i will then the door opened and the two boys came in from the barn end of chapter sixteen chapter seventeen of christie's christmas by pansy The Slibrovoc's recording is in the public domain. Chapter 17. The Minister and the Boys. It was Christy's turn now to slip away. She remembered something that she was to do towards the coming supper. The Minister and the boys were alone. Well, he said, looking at them with smiling eyes, what's next for you to? School for me, sir, well said, and I shall be glad to get to

Starting point is 05:24:04 studying again. I have had a longer vacation than I planned. Do you go to the city every day? No, sir, not this term. Mama is so nervous over the accident that she doesn't like the plan. Yes, sir, they are coming out next week to stay. My brother, who is an invalid, has taken a fancy to the country and is in haste to get back. The rest of the family think it rather dull. All but me, I like it. But Mama is not reconciled to a daily ride in the cars, so my father has engaged a tutor for me. He can teach music as well as Latin and other things, so I shall not have to go into town for lessons. I like the plan ever so much. And the favored boy looked over at Carl, who was regarding him with wistful eyes. And what about Carl? Is it school for you too?

Starting point is 05:25:00 No, sir. He said slowly, choking down a little sigh. Not this term. Father can't arrange for us just yet. We are out of the township, you see. I see. Well, you and Christy's study at home, I suppose. A little, said Carl,

Starting point is 05:25:20 but he did not speak as though the studies at home gave him great pleasure. He did not mean to tell those two that the great drawback was books, or rather the want of books. What would either of them say he wondered if they knew that there were not more than a half-dozen books in the house, counting the primary arithmetic, almost every word of which he and Christy knew by heart. Latin!

Starting point is 05:25:47 It was almost disheartening to hear Wells talk so glibly about Latin and other things. He had tried to get his father, only the other evening, to remember a Latin word, until he, Carl could see how it sounded, but not one could be thought of, save E. Pluribus Unum, and neither mother nor father were absolutely sure of its exact meaning. Carl meant to study Latin one of these days, but he did not expect to for some time to come. Neither did he intend to tell his plans to these favored people who talked about Latin as carelessly as they might about geography. Truth to tell, Carl's present ambition was a new arithmetic, and that he meant to have very soon, but it too was a secret. There is one book, said Mr. Keith, which gets neglected. If I could go back and be a boy again,

Starting point is 05:26:46 I am sure I would study it most faithfully. That is, if I could take back into boyhood all the knowledge I have gathered by being a man. I should know it was the most important book to study that there is in the world. Carl was watching him with eager, expectant eyes. It would be a Latin book, he thought. Possibly not, for Mr. Keith he had heard, understood both Greek and Hebrew as well as Latin. It would be a thing worth remembering what such a scholar thought the most important book in the world. Sometime he would try for the book and study it hard. What book is it, if you please? He asked the question very timidly, waiting for a little in the hope that Wells would do it for him. That is the Bible, my boy. There has never been a book written half so important as that.

Starting point is 05:27:42 And there never will be. To say that Carl was astonished will give you a very faint idea of his state of mind. Also, he was a little bit disappointed. He had expected to hear some wonderful old name to treasure in his mind. and then he had meant to try to get courage to ask a few questions about the book, what made it so wonderful and how old one had to be before he began to study it, and what it cost. But the Bible! Why, they had one in the house! Of course it was an important book, but then, who would have imagined that he meant the Bible? Wells was not surprised. he was more familiar with ministers than was Carl and more familiar with the world. He knew what rank the Bible held among Christians. He looked neither surprised nor particularly interested,

Starting point is 05:28:38 though his face told as plainly as words that he did not agree with Mr. Keith. The question is, how much time do you two boys give to the most important book? Not much, said Wells, laughing on. little. We don't use it in school and don't get marked for not knowing anything about it, so it has to stand aside. I know. Isn't that a strange way for sensible people to manage? Now, if I were a teacher, I should try to give a little time each day to the only book that was likely to outlive every other and had to do with another world after this one was done with. Carl opened his eyes wider, and Wells questioned.

Starting point is 05:29:24 Why, you don't suppose the Bible will be taken to heaven, do you? Mr. Keith laughed a little. Well, as to that, I don't know as it would be a very interesting book in heaven. We shall probably not care much more about it than we would for a good guidebook about Europe, after it had shown us the way there, and we were perfectly familiar with the country, and had not the least desire to go from it to any other country. I meant that it was the only book which told us anything about the other world, where all our life is to be spent,

Starting point is 05:29:59 except the very little bit that we spend on this side. It is strange to be so taken up with the things we are to use here that we forget all about what we are here for, and forget to get ready for our journey. Now isn't it? Carl was thinking seriously and seemed to have no answer, and Wells did not choose to make what might be called an answer, though he spoke. I don't think the Bible tells very much about heaven. I've often wished it told what the people were doing up there and how they managed about, well, about everything, and whether they knew what was going on here, and what was to be done after everybody had reached there. I don't suppose there is special need of having all that told in the Bible.

Starting point is 05:30:48 The people who are going there will have eternity in which to learn all about it. And the people who fail, it could only be an added sorrow. The most that the Bible is engaged in is to point out the way and warn of the dangers. Mr. Keith spoke very gravely, but Wells seemed determined to speculate, so continued. What do you suppose the people do there all the time? I should think it would be sort of stupid to stand around with harps and sing. The Bible says it has not even entered into my heart what we are to do, but I am going there to find out. The question is, are you two boys? I suppose I mean to, answered Carl gravely, seeing that Wells was not going to speak. but I haven't made any plans nor thought about it much. It doesn't seem very real to me. I know a hundred

Starting point is 05:31:45 things that I want to do here, but I don't know much about heaven. That is just what I am saying is strange, like a boy who was so interested in the flowers and stones which he found on the way to the city, that he would pay no attention which road to take and forget all about his having started for the purpose of going to the city. if there was an elegant home waiting for you there, and you might risk the loss of it by delaying and playing with the stones, how long do you suppose you would play? Not long, said Carl, his face grave. But Wells had found his voice again. Ah, but, sir, we can't die and go to heaven just when we please.

Starting point is 05:32:30 It would be wicked to do it even if one wanted to, and a fellow could reach the city just as soon as his feet would carry him. That is true. Suppose we change the figure. What if the carriage to take Carl to the city and to his wonderful home there was to pass the south road at the corner at some hour tomorrow? Carl did not know when, and that was to be his opportunity to go. After that it would be too late. How long do you suppose Carl would loiter on his way to the south road in the morning? Not many minutes, said Carl, speaking quickly. I should clip it at the first streak of daylight. In fact, I don't know, but I would go down there tonight. I think quite likely you would, and yet here you sit unconcerned. It is mourning with you, and the chariot of God may be here at any moment for his

Starting point is 05:33:27 children who are ready to take them home, and you do not get ready to go. It seems different, said Carl. Yes, and it is different, stoutly declared Wells. There is no corner to go to and wait. If it were that way, we would all go in a minute, but there doesn't seem to be anything to do. Yes, there is. Your mind can take a journey just as well as your body.

Starting point is 05:33:56 You want your mind to go over and stand by the Lord Jesus Christ. You want your soul to say to him, I have come to claim my home in heaven, you said you had for me. I have come to be ready to go. Now what am I to do? And he would tell you what to do. It is simple enough, you see, only you don't choose to do it. Why doesn't everybody? This question was from Carl. It seemed to him all at once such a simple and natural thing to do, and he could not help wondering what kept people back. My boy, said Mr. Keith, turning to and looking full at him out of earnest eyes,

Starting point is 05:34:38 Why don't you? Carl moved uneasily in his seat and laughed a little and said, I don't know. But I do, my boy, it is because you are a slave. So is Wells here. He thinks he is free and can do just as he pleases,

Starting point is 05:34:57 but Satan has a strong hold on him and is making him do just the foolish thing about which we have been talking. "'Then we are not to blame,' said Wells quickly, following with his keen mind the picture that the minister had drawn. "'Are you not? Suppose an enemy had tied you to that stove in such a manner that the flames would reach you after a while, and I should say, I will cut the ropes and set you free if you want me to do so and will obey my directions in the future. Then I should proceed to give you a list of directions, and you should say, why they are all good and right and kind, and we shall be the gainers by obeying them.

Starting point is 05:35:41 But then we don't want to ask you to free us, and we don't care to follow your orders. Who would be to blame for your remaining slaves? Wouldn't you be kind of mean, though, not to set us free whether we asked it or not? Of course, this bold question came from Wells. Carl looked quickly at him. He thought the question rude. minister seemed in no way disturbed by it. That depends, he said quietly. Let us look at it a little more closely. Suppose you belonged to me by right. It was your duty to obey me, and you had not done it.

Starting point is 05:36:21 Instead, you had disgraced me in many ways, and were under sentence of punishment. But I, at great expense, had planned a way for you to escape all punishment, a way which I knew would work if you could be brought to agree to it and do your part, but which I knew would be worse than useless unless you submitted to the rules laid down. We will suppose that I knew you would get into much worse trouble than being tied to that stove, in case I let you go in any other way than the one which I had planned. Would I be mean then not to do it? That is supposing a great many things, said Wells, and he spoke as though he felt almost cross about it. But it is not supposing a thing but what the Bible, if you study it carefully, will show you is true.

Starting point is 05:37:14 Not the being tied to the stove, of course. We imagined that, but God is very well acquainted with us, and he knows what we will do as well as what we have done. How could you prove to me that you were anxious to save me and had done your best, if you should let me stay there and burn? asked Wells, going back to the figure. I might not be able to do so. You might not choose to believe my word, and you might be too foolish to reason about it. But if I had a son whose life I had given in order to try to save you, and if you believed that I loved my son, unless you were very foolish indeed, it would go far towards showing you that I had been in earnest.

Starting point is 05:38:01 "'I think we would be great fools not to ask you to untie us,' spoke out Carl in some heat. "'It seems to me that you would be very foolish, and Wells thinks so too, but he doesn't care to tell us so.' Then came Christy, holding Nettie by the hand and carrying the baby in her arms. "'Christie,' said Mr. Keith, "'come here and tell us what you would do if you were told to choose one book out of all there were in the world, because the rest were to be burned. Why, said Christy, how dreadful! Oh, I would take the Bible, of course. Why, of course? Oh, because it is the only book that shows us the way to heaven, and we could get along without knowing everything else if we knew what was in the Bible, and if we knew all that there was in all

Starting point is 05:38:55 the other books and had no Bible, in a little bit of a while, what good would it do us? Sure enough, but do you believe these boys don't think so? Christy turned on the two troubled eyes. Wells laughed, but Carl said stoutly, Why, we didn't say any such thing. Didn't you? I thought you both agreed that you paid very little attention to it. And of course, if you thought it's so important, you would give it a good deal of time and thought. That would be common sense, you know. But neither Nettie nor the baby were in the mood for any more quiet talking. Mr. Keith took the baby, and the two went for a frolic. While Wells set Nettie on his knee and began a wonderful story of two pigs and a monkey.

Starting point is 05:39:46 It was a wonderfully pleasant evening. The supper was delightful. Even the baby waved his spoon and called for more. The chickens were stewed in cream and the potatoes were made into the loveliest little brown balls. Mr. Keith ate two balls and asked Christy if these were warmed-up ones, and whether warmed-up ones could possibly be better. Then Mrs. Tucker looked so puzzled that Mr. Keith felt a obliged to explain that he had been invited to a tea party, or rather, to be truthful, had invited himself, and that there were to be warmed up potatoes. Then Wells questioned and cross-questioned until it finally all came out about Lucius and Lucy Cox, and he asked a great many questions about them, and sent Christy off into a burst of laughter by inquiring whether Lucy looked like Sarah Ann. But no one save Christy heard his whisper just as he was going out of the door after Dennis came for him. I say, Christy, may I come to the party? Do ask me, I'll be as good, oh, as good as anything you can imagine, and I like warmed up potatoes better than anything.

Starting point is 05:41:06 And so Christy, in much bewilderment and some dismay, found a party growing on her hands, and wondered what she should do with them all. She and Carl sat up for half an hour after the minister went home to talk over all the strange events of the day. He liked the farm horses, said Carl, meaning Wells did. He said they behaved much better than his pony, and he should think it would be great fun to ride without any saddle or halter. Carl, said Christy, did he tell Mr. Keith that he did not believe

Starting point is 05:41:43 the Bible was an important book? No, answered Carl indignantly. He did not say such a word. All he said was that they did not pay much attention to it at school, and that he did not know much about it because he did not read it very often. Well, that was saying he did not think it important, I suppose. We say things by our actions, Carl, though I never thought of it before. It seems queer that we can be telling people things without meaning to. It isn't true, persisted Carl. I think the Bible is important, of course, and I don't read in it once a month. Well, said Christy gravely, if you had a geography, Carl, one of the new kind, you know well enough you wouldn't let it be in the house for a month without reading a good deal in it. Now would you? But Carl declared that he was

Starting point is 05:42:42 as tired as a dog and was going right straight to bed, and to bed he went. End of Chapter 17. Chapter 18 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 18, another letter. Everything in the kitchen was cozy and bright, in excellent order, and very nice work was going on. Christy having once fully decided the matter of inviting Lucy and Lucius Cox to tea was in haste to carry out the plan, and that very morning a cake was being made to do honor to the occasion.

Starting point is 05:43:31 Cake was something rare in the Tucker family. In her eastern home, Mrs. Tucker had been in the habit of spending every Saturday morning in her father's well-stocked kitchen, stirring up sweet mixtures for the next week's supply. This was when she was a girl. Mrs. Tucker, in her western home, had now and then baked a gingerbread, or made what she called, a batch of seed cakes, or, on rarer occasions, a pan of donuts, but, as a rule, it had been as much as they could do to furnish bread and beef and potatoes, and cake of all sorts had been left in the background. "'I don't know when I have done such a thing,' said Mrs. Tucker,

Starting point is 05:44:16 as she broke the third egg into her yellow bowl, and then began to whisk them about with skillful touch. It seems kind of extravagant, but I don't know how to make this cake with less than three eggs, and it is the one that I seem to remember the best. I used to like to make it because it always behaved itself, never fell nor cracked, nor anything. The hens laid a good many eggs this morning,

Starting point is 05:44:43 "'Christie said, encouragingly, "'it seems as though they must have known what we wanted to do. "'I packed just as many for the grocery as usual, "'and yet had these five left. "'I don't think it is extravagant, mother. "'It isn't for us, you know. "'It is for the Cox children, "'and they never have a bit of cake, I do suppose.

Starting point is 05:45:06 "'Good bread and butter, and plenty of it, "'would be better for them, child, than cake.' "'Oh, I know it. but then bread and butter don't seem quite such a treat as cake. Though that day when I was on the cars and ate a piece of Sarah Ann's bread and butter, I thought that a slice of our bread would be as great a treat as I could give her. It doesn't seem to me as though I could eat a piece of bread at the coxes. Mother!

Starting point is 05:45:35 A sudden thought had come to her, and a look of dismay passed over her face as she set her bowl of flour on the table. "'What if they should think they must ask us some time to come to their house to tea?' Mrs. Tucker stopped her egg-beating to laugh. "'What an idea, child,' she said. "'They haven't a whole plate in the house, nor a decent dish of any kind. And as for company, such a wild thing never entered their minds. You needn't be distressed about that.

Starting point is 05:46:07 I wonder what keeps Carl. I'm afraid I shall have to wait for that baking powder.' Hurry with your flour, Christy, and then beat that butter and sugar to a cream. When I have cake, I like to have it nice. I'm sure I hope I haven't forgotten anything. It is so long since I have done such a thing as make a nice cake that I am in a kind of fluster. If I had known that Burton boy was to have been here the other night, I suppose I should have made a cake then,

Starting point is 05:46:37 though I don't know as I would have thought of such a thing now if you hadn't coaxed. I heard Mr. Keith say once that he liked soft gingerbread better than any kind of cake, and I'm sure he ate it as though he did. So did Wells, said Christy, laughing. He asked me if I thought you would see him if he took a second piece. Mother, shall I put in the raisins now? Why, no, child, of course not. They don't go in until the last thing, and they have to be rolled in flour first.

Starting point is 05:47:11 what a little dunce you are about cake, to be sure. When I was your age, I could clip into the kitchen and stir up a cake for tea as quick as the next one. But then, she added, seeing a sober look steal over Christy's face, I couldn't have made a dress for myself to save my life, nor worked over butter, nor done a dozen of the things that you can. Of course, it is not strange that you should know nothing about cake-making. when you never had a chance. One of these days, Christy, money may be easier, and I can hunt up all my own knowledge and teach you how to do things. I'll risk my forgetting. It all comes back to me this morning as naturally as though I had been doing it every day, though it must be about thirteen

Starting point is 05:48:01 years since I made this cake. She continued. But the sober look on Christy's face had nothing to do with cake. Something in her mother's talk had made her think that she was growing up a dunce about other things, things which she wanted to know much more than she did how to make cake. It came out presently as she thoughtfully beat the butter and sugar. Mother, what about school next term? Has father made up his mind? Then the mother sighed. Why, as to that, Christy, he didn't have to do much thinking. He He can't raise the money to pay for books and tuition, and that is the whole of it. Not this term. He thought he could, and if it had not been for that stove, I guess he would have brought it about.

Starting point is 05:48:52 But that was such a chance, a secondhand, to be sold so cheap, and we wanted one for so long. And the man offered to take his pay in eggs and butter, you know. He said last night he wouldn't have bought it, after all, if he had known it would keep you and Carl back from school for another quarter. But he thought then he would get his pay for the hay this month, sure. And isn't he going to? Christy tried to keep her voice steady. Oh no, he got word at the depot yesterday that the man couldn't pay until spring if he did then. Sometimes your father is afraid that he will never pay it. This last fearful possibility was spoken almost in a whisper, not to be paid for the hay meant a good deal of trouble to the tuckers. Christy stirred away, saying nothing,

Starting point is 05:49:47 not trusting her voice to speak. In fact, she was much engaged just then in ordering back a tear that wanted to roll down her cheek. She did not mean that her mother should see tears, but it was a great disappointment. Even the geography on which she and Carl had so long set their hearts seemed slipping away into the dim and uncertain future. There was all that money paid for the trip to Uncle Daniels, where, after all, she did not go. Should she be sorry that she took the journey? But then there were all the lovely things in the front room and her room. She would not have had those if she had not gone a journey. No, but then the lovely things would do nothing to make her Lessa Dunce, and she and Carl were growing old so fast. But then, on the other hand, she would not have

Starting point is 05:50:41 become acquainted with Wells Burton, nor had that beautiful letter from Mr. Fletcher, nor seen the governor, nor taking care of that dear baby. Perhaps the baby would have fallen from the seat and hurt himself if she had not been there to watch and care for him. And perhaps, oh, wicked Christy to forget that. Perhaps nobody would have stopped the train in time to save Wells Burtons' life. Oh, indeed, she must always be glad and thankful that she went her journey, even if they had to wait another year for the new geography. Now another thought began to trouble her, and presently, she put it into hesitating words. Mother, maybe we ought not. Maybe I ought not to have coaxed you to have this party and make cake and all these things. But the mother's voice was brisk and reassuring.

Starting point is 05:51:37 Now, child, don't you go fretting over that? It was a nice thing to think of. Mr. Keith told me himself that we couldn't any of us tell what it might do for those Cox children. And as for the expense, it won't be so very much after all. Potatoes are cheap, and we have milk enough to make them nice. It is half in having things done nicely. and making everything bright and clean, you know. The cox folks might have nice warmed potatoes themselves if they only knew enough. Then it is as you say about the hens.

Starting point is 05:52:11 They appeared to understand and did a little extra work, and the butter and sugar we can easily save from our own things, and we shan't notice the extra expense at all. It isn't like paying out money downright from one's pockets. The cow and the hens have furnished most of them, the things, and we won't begrudge the poor children one good supper. Run to the window child and see if Carl isn't coming. Christy was glad to go, not so much to look for Carl as to get rid of that tear. Her mother knew that, too, and sent her away to help her get her happy face back. Mothers know

Starting point is 05:52:51 most things, though some of them are wise enough to keep quiet about little matters that are better not spoken of. Here's Carl, the sister said in a very few minutes, and the happy had already gotten back into her voice, and Carl came in with a gust of outside wind and with an air of unusual importance. What a time you have been, child, declared the mother. Did you get the baking powder and the spool of thread and all? Yes, um, I got them all, and something else besides. I guess you would have been a long time if you had had to do all the business that I have attended to since I've been away. Father sent me to the post office for old Mr. Stewart's paper, and I thought, seeing I was there, I might as well ask for us.

Starting point is 05:53:42 And what do you suppose I have for you, Miss Christy Tucker? Not another letter? said Christy, in high excitement, every trace of anything but delight having gone from face and voice. Just that, answered Carl, and he dived into his deep pocket and produced a delicately perfumed bit of paper with Miss Christy Tucker written on it, in what Christy thought was the very prettiest way she had ever seen. The writing was certainly not Thomas Fletcher's. Whose could it be? Mrs. Tucker left her cake for a moment and came with flowery hands and a bit of flour on her left cheek, and looked over Christi. And looked over Christi. "'and admired the dainty thing, "'and wondered from whom it could be, "'and as yet none of them thought of looking to see. "'It is not your Aunt Louise's writing,' she said, "'though your aunt is a pretty writer too,

Starting point is 05:54:41 "'but it doesn't look like that somehow. "'What a woman you are getting to be! "'Miss Christy Tucker, the idea!' "'She laughed as she said it, "'and yet it seemed to give her a thought "'that had a sad side to it. I suppose you'll grow up to that without fail if you live, she said, and looking at her young daughter wistfully, as she added, I would like to do a good many things for you before that, though.

Starting point is 05:55:10 Do open the thing, said Carl. If it said Mr. Carl Tucker, you wouldn't catch me gazing at the outside all this time. It wouldn't say Mr. to you, Carl. Why not I should like to know, as well as miss to you. Because they don't. It would say, Master Carl Tucker. Master of what? How do you know? I saw it. I saw a letter that came to Wells Burton. He took it out of his pocket to mark on when we were on the cars, and he wanted to show me how the switch was laid there by the junction, and he marked on an envelope, and I saw the name, Master Wells Burton. Well, I don't care whether it is master or mister, I should get into the thing and be master of it.

Starting point is 05:56:01 Thus urged, Christy, mindful of her former lesson, looked about for the scissors and began to cut, then paused halfway across the end and said, I think father ought to be here. Well, he won't be here until noon. He has gone to the upper lot. She can't wait till noon, can she, mother? It might be something that would need an answer right away. "'I guess I wouldn't wait, my girl,' the mother said, pitying the eager faces. "'Father will understand, and you can read it out to him as soon as he comes, and it will sound better after you have read it once. "'Oh, wise mother! There were other things beside cake-making that she had not forgotten.

Starting point is 05:56:47 "'You don't think anything about them now, dear girls, but the time will come when you will look back on all those little thoughtfulnesses of mother as so many jewels which she left you. The letter was withdrawn from its cream-tinted cover, and all three heads gazed at it curiously. Beautiful writing it was, certainly, but strange to them. The only way to discover the author was to read it. To be sure, Carl said, I guess it is from the mother of the baby. But Christy, replied quickly. Oh, no, she would not write such a long letter as that. There wouldn't be anything to tell me, only that the baby is well. Oh, dear, I hope he is. This touch of anxiety quickened her

Starting point is 05:57:34 fingers, and she unfolded the lovely sheet and read aloud. My dear little motherly friend, whom I am sure I shall never forget if I live to be a hundred, and baby shall not either. I shall always talk to him about you and how you saved his precious life, and when he gets to be a man, he shall come and see you. Now, you wonder why I have not written you before. No, I don't, said Christy, breaking off to look at her audience. I wonder why she is taking the trouble to write to me now. Isn't it nice mother? I'll tell you how it was. Baby came through his day of troubles like a soldier, because he had such a nice. little general who did not let him take cold or bump his head or go hungry. He did not so much as

Starting point is 05:58:26 sneeze after it all, but his poor silly mother could not get over her fright. For three nights I could get no rest at all. As soon as I would drop asleep, I would dream that I had lost my baby, and was tramping up and down that track like a wild woman, and begging the people to send me on in an extra train whether there was any road to run on. or not. Then I would waken in a fright, with my head throbbing, so that I could not raise it from the pillow. At last, my dreams frightened me into a fever, and I was for more than a week that I could not set up. Then it took some time after that to get my strength sufficiently to go downtown. I wanted to select baby's gift for you myself. Oh, mother, she is going to send me something.

Starting point is 05:59:15 What do you suppose it can be? Chris, what if it should be a geography, with nice large maps in it, you know? Did you say anything to her about one that day? Not a word, said Christy, stopping to laugh. I didn't say anything to her hardly, nor she to me. She was so busy kissing the baby that she couldn't. Then she read on,

Starting point is 05:59:41 because I knew just how I wanted it to sound. Sound? What can she mean? What in the world can it be? It is a bird, said Carl. They have them in cages. Nick says there are three at the burtons in the room where they keep the flowers. Oh, mother, said Christy, looking troubled. I most wouldn't want it. I would like to open the door and let it go and live in the trees. They can't live in the trees, said Carl. Can they, Mother? They would starve. That is because they have been stolen away from their homes and made slaves of. Isn't it, Mother? Read on, child, said Mrs. Tucker, perhaps it isn't a bird.

Starting point is 06:00:30 I have chosen one that I like very much, and I can seem to see you taking comfort with it. It is the baby's very own present, and he sends it with his dear love. The little things that are packed in the small box are presents from baby's mama to your dear baby at home. I hope they will fit, and the dolly is for the little sister Nettie whom you described to Mr. Fletcher. He told me all about her and about how you made a dolly for her one day last summer out of a squash. "'Why, child,' said Mrs. Tucker, "'it does seem to me that you must have told those strangers in the cars everything we ever said or did in this house.' house. No, said Christy earnestly. He kept asking me questions, Mr. Fletcher did, and when I answered them,

Starting point is 06:01:22 there would be a word in about something else, and he would ask about that. Mrs. Tucker had, in the meantime, gone back to her cake, and was now ready to transfer it to the buttered tin, which stood waiting to receive it. The letter was almost finished. There remained only a few words about baby, how he was growing, how sweet he looked in his new hat, and how he had sent her a picture of his own dear self to wear around her neck, and wanted her to come to the city as soon as ever she could, and have hers taken for baby to wear. Then came the wonderful closing sentence. If you will write me a line to let me know when you will come, baby and I will meet you at the depot with the carriage, and we will have a very happy day together.

Starting point is 06:02:11 and I do hope that manly brother of yours will come along to help you, for if you have as many people to care for as you did on your last journey, I am sure you will need help. And she never says what it is she has sent, Mrs. Tucker said, when the last word had been read, No, ma'am, she doesn't. I think it must be a bird, for what else is there to make a sound that I would take comfort with?

Starting point is 06:02:41 "'I know one thing with which I could take comfort,' said Mrs. Tucker with a little sigh, "'and it makes a sound, too. "'Mother, what is it?' "'It is a sewing-machine child. "'I could sew a seam on that in five minutes, which takes me almost an hour now. "'But never mind, one of these days you children will get me one, I dare say.' And Carl, though he had not said a word, went and looked out of the wind, and laid it aside in his heart that as soon as ever he could, perhaps even before he bought the geography,

Starting point is 06:03:18 he was going to get a sewing machine for his mother. For the rest of that day, the cake which came out of the oven a golden brown, and did neither fall nor crack, did for all that sink in importance before that wonderful mystery which was to come and was to be in a box, because the letter had talked about what was in the smaller box. It took no fortune teller to assert that, of course, it must be a larger box in which it was to come. The bird theory rather lost ground, because how could a bird travel in a box? It would die, but it certainly was not likely to be a sewing machine, for besides being a very expensive present, it was one not likely to be chosen for a little girl. Mr. Tucker had to be a very important. Mr. Tucker had to be a very expensive present, for a little girl. Mr. Tucker

Starting point is 06:04:09 had a theory which he told his wife had better not be mentioned to Christy, for fear it was not correct and that she would be disappointed. But Mrs. Tucker argued that Christy was a very womanly little girl not likely to be greatly disappointed about anything that could not be helped, and that she liked to know about things. So the father brought forward his views. I can tell you what it might be my girl, though mind I don't say it is. Did you ever hear of such a thing as an accordion? No, Christy never did, but her bright eyes said she was all ready to be told of it. Then it was brought to light that Mr. Tucker, when he was a young man, had boarded with a woman whose daughter had an accordion. It is something like that old fire bellows

Starting point is 06:05:00 of your grandfathers, he explained. You take hold of it on each side and pull it out and back again, and out and back like this. And he folded a piece of paper which lay on the floor and illustrated the method of working the accordion. But what is it for? Questioned puzzled Christy. Why, it makes music. You learn how to play it, you know.

Starting point is 06:05:26 It has keys to it, and you learn which ones to touch and play tunes. Real tunes such as folks can sing? I guess you can. Why, elizabeth? Elizabeth used to sit by the hour playing for us, and we would sing. Real sweet music it was, too. Oh, my, said Christy, and her eyes seemed almost as large as the saucers she was drying.

Starting point is 06:05:54 But they were pretty expensive things, said the mother, warningly, mindful of the wistful light in her child's great eyes. Yes, said Father Tucker quickly. Oh, I didn't say I thought it was, one, I only said it was something that would make sounds and nice ones too, but it is not likely to be anything of that kind. Of course not, said Christy, but, father, how much do you think one would cost? Well, said Mr. Tucker reflectively, I remember how much that one cost as well as if it were bought yesterday. I remember there being a good deal of talk about it. There might have been

Starting point is 06:06:38 cheaper ones, but that cost $20. Oh my, said Christy again. End of Chapter 18. Chapter 19 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 19, another surprise. It was the next day at noon, or a trifle before, that the boxes arrived, the same good-natured men who had loaded down the parlor with furniture, appeared again, and one of them told Carl with a laugh, he reckon he must have found out by this time that Miss Christy Tucker lived here, for she seemed to have a good many things coming to her off and on. But Carl was so amazed at the size of one of the boxes that he had no answer ready for this hint at his former bewilderment. He stood dumb with astonishment, while the two men and the two helpers that they had brought with them,

Starting point is 06:07:45 tugged and groaned and with the greatest difficulty, lifted their burden. I don't know whether it is a meeting house or a new schoolhouse, declared one, but it seems to me it is rather heavy for either. The Tucker family were all at home and had as much as they could do to keep out of the way of the men, and to wonder what the thing could be, and where it was to go, and whether, after all, there wasn't some mistake. Don't expect me to go over in detail all the excitements of the hours that followed. Mother Tucker said afterwards that she was sure she should go crazy if she had another day like it in her life, and it might have a bad effect on her to hear all about it.

Starting point is 06:08:33 All I can tell you about it is that after much trial and much delay and much running to the far lot for helpers, the thing was stood up and unpacked, and when it first showed its shining surface, Christy gave a queer little squeal and clapped her hands and grew white even to her lips. I thought as true as the world that ridiculous child was going to faint. Her mother said, when she told off the strange doings, her friend the next day, fanning herself with her apron at the thought of it, though the day was cold. I did really, and she don't know anything about such a thing either. I never fainted in my life, and I don't mean she shall if I can help it. But she turned that white that I just reached out and snatched her, and it's my opinion, if I hadn't, she would have tumbled right down in a heap. It seems she had some kind of a notion how a piano would look. She has dreamed about one and talked about one and asked me questions enough until she had got an idea,

Starting point is 06:09:42 and she knew the thing by hearing and imagination. She knew it was a piano the minute her father took the last covering off, but she had had no more idea of ever seeing one in our parlor than she had of seeing a star there, not a bit more. Carl now isn't of that sort. He was excited enough, but at the same time he was quiet about it, and did not seem so dreadfully astonished. I really don't know what to make of that boy. He seems to have such queer ideas about things. I meant you should have one sometime, he said to Christy, but I did not think it would be brought about so soon. Christy does all the imagining, and she is first rate at it, and Carl always seemed to stick to facts. But then, he has such extraordinary

Starting point is 06:10:34 things that he calls facts come into his head. When you get your sewing machine, mother, he said to me one day, will it sew overhand, do you think? Now, I expect to have a sewing machine about as much as Christy expected a piano, and no more, and I told him so, and says he, that may be, but there's the piano sitting there, you see, and the machine will come, you see if it don't. The visitor knit twice around her stocking before she answered, then she pushed her spectacles up on her forehead and said, Well, now, Mrs. Tucker, I shouldn't wonder if it would, and if that boy would get it for you one of these days, I do say that you are blessed in your children if ever a woman was. So now the secret is out, you know it was actually a piano that was set up in the Tucker parlor. I took this way of telling you

Starting point is 06:11:34 because I really could not explain what Christy felt, or even what she said, though she said little enough. In fact, her mother, who was a little frightened about her, told her that she acted like a goose. The white look on her face lasted until her father called her to put her hand on the keys. And when she touched the gleaming things, thereby bringing forth such sounds as she had dreamed of in her little music-loving heart, but never heard, she looked up into her father's face, and the blood rolled up in great waves to the roots of her hair, and then what did she do but cry? Of course, Nettie cried immediately and loudly. Tears on Christy's face were something unusual, and not to be born without a protest.

Starting point is 06:12:24 I don't know as it is any wonder that the startled mother was ready to say just at this point, Why, Christy, what does make you act so like a little goose? But Father Tucker put his great protecting arms around her and said, Never mind, Mother, she is kind of upsought, and it ain't to be wondered at. Pianos don't grow on every potato lot, and our little girl never even saw one before, and this thing is hers, you know, and it is kind of too much.

Starting point is 06:12:57 She got over it after a while, and had only very rosy cheeks and bright eyes all the afternoon. The pretty music stool was unpacked, and Christy mounted it, and drew forth such soft, sweet sounds from the wonderful instrument, that her father said admiringly, well, I declare, I thought they had to spend months learning to play the piano, but I don't see but you make pretty music on it without any learning. It was that very afternoon that Lucius and Lucy Cox were to come to tea. Enough in itself to upset a whole family, Mrs. Tucker said, and when you added a piano, it was, as Father Tucker said, too much.

Starting point is 06:13:45 But that afternoon is the first. very thing that you must hear about. The first one who came was Wells Burton. I didn't mean to come so early, for fear I should be in the way, he explained, but it is lonesome enough at home. My mother was hindered from coming home yesterday. My brother isn't so well, and father has been delayed by afresh it, and everything was disappointing and dismal, so I ran away. I would have gone to town this morning if it had not been for the warmed-up potatoes you know and other things. Besides, I was in a hurry to see something that I knew had come. Oh, said Christy, her eyes aglow. Do you know about it? Did you know before?

Starting point is 06:14:32 Come in quick and see it. I don't know what to think nor to do. What you must do is take music lessons and make the thing talk to you, Wells said, walking into the bright little parlor and going boldly up to the great shining beauty, which seemed to the rest of the family to fill all the space in the room. Welles seemed in no wise amazed at its appearance, called it a neat little thing, drew out the music stool, adjusted it to the right height with great deliberation, and then seating himself, whirled his fingers over the keys in a fashion that almost took Christy's breath away. The sounds that he produced were quite unlike those which Christy had made.

Starting point is 06:15:18 Even Father Tucker in the kitchen, wiping his great brown hands on the great brown towel, felt that, and stopped and listened and nodded his head and said, That is music, eh, mother, our girl must make it go like that. Yes, said Mrs. Tucker, that is music. Just think of that boy being able to play like that. There was a worried look in her eyes, and after a moment's silence, she added, That will be the next thing. The child will want to learn, and she will be crazy to. I can see it in her eyes. And how is she ever going to do it? Music lessons cost a sight of money, even east, and of course they are worse out here, everything is. And you know, Jonas, we might as well

Starting point is 06:16:09 try to have her fly and be done with it, as, as you know, as you know, you know, Jonas, we might as well try to have her fly and be done with it as to give her a chance to take music lessons. Her father laughed. I should as soon have tried to fly myself as to get her a piano, and yet there the thing is, and she is playing on it. There's no telling what may come in this world. I've given up trying. We must talk with the minister about it.

Starting point is 06:16:33 There may be some kind of a way of turning work. Who knows? But the troubled look did not go out of the mother's. eyes. There's another thing, she said, as she laid the spoons that she had been polishing in a shining heap on the white table. Jonas, don't it seem wonderful strange to you that they should send her such a great big present as that? Why, pianos cost almost a fortune. And that is a good-toned one. I remember the one at Grandfathers well enough to know that. I don't see, but it sounds every bit as good as the one at Uncle Daniels, and to send it to a stranger and a little girl. I don't understand it, and sometimes it doesn't

Starting point is 06:17:19 seem quite the thing for us to let her take such things as a matter of course and say nothing. Well now, Father Tucker said, taking his wet head out of the shining wash basin and beginning to polish his face on the towel. There's two ways of looking at things. In one sense it is a big present and a wonderful thing to happen to a little girl like Christy. And in another sense, how do you suppose it compares with that baby of hers that Christy took care of? I don't say, but that it would have got taken care of somehow if Christy hadn't been there, though there didn't seem to be a great many people of sense to depend upon that day besides Christy. Anyhow, she was the one did it and did it well. And while she didn't do it for,

Starting point is 06:18:10 pay nor expect pay, still I suppose it was an awful day to the mother. And if I was rich and it was our baby, seems to me I wouldn't consider even a piano very great things when it came to showing what I thought of my baby. Well, said Mother Tucker reflectively, that way of looking at it does make a difference to be sure. What are 40 pianos compared with a baby? meantime, in the front room, the same thing was being talked about from a different standpoint. Did you ever hear of people doing such a wonderful thing? This was the question that Christy asked of Wells. He let the music soften so he could answer. Why, it was a nice thing, and I rather like my lady for thinking of it. It is the first time I have forgiven her for leaving her baby and spoiling our day,

Starting point is 06:19:08 but on the whole I am glad now that she did it. But as to being wonderful, it was natural enough. Her husband is a piano dealer. They have a great warehouse on Pearl Street full of pianos of all sorts and sizes, and when she heard that you liked music and wanted to see a piano, what was more reasonable than to suppose that you would like one of your own? How did she know that Christy wanted to see a piano? asked Carl, who was watching this entire conversation with the greatest interest.

Starting point is 06:19:44 Why, you see, we spent quite a long day together when we went our journey, and we talked a good many things, pianos among the rest, and I suppose somebody happened to mention to her something that Christy said, Look here, let me play this rain dance for you, and you listen and see if you can't hear the drops patter. There were reasons why Wells did not want that subject looked into any farther, so he bewitched them with the raindrops. During the playing, the door opened softly, and there came in Lucy and Lucius Cox. I wish I had photographs of them for you. They had been all day getting ready to make a good appearance.

Starting point is 06:20:28 Lucy had not only combed her black hair, but banged it, and the straight locks hung down. over her eyebrows straight into her eyes so that she winked and blinked continually. Her brown calico dress was soiled and torn, but she had pinned the torn place as well as she could, and then tried to cover its defects with a bit of very soiled, very faded pink ribbon, which she had knotted up and fastened over it, and as the rent was halfway down the skirt on the left side, towards the back breadth, you may imagine how she looked. face and hands however were clean and poor lucy having put on an old-fashioned linen collar of her mothers that had not been used in seven years nor washed had done all that she could to honour the great day such efforts were beyond lucius but he, too, had combed his hair and washed his face and hands, and tied his shoes with green

Starting point is 06:21:30 strings, and although his clothes needed washing and patching, on the whole he looked better than Carl had feared. Christy turned toward them timidly, and glanced in great doubt and distress from them to Wells. He did not know them, and she had a dim idea that they ought to be introduced, but how was it to be done and what would he say? I am glad you have come, she said gently. Will you sit down? Now what should she say? This is Mr. Wells Burton. And if she did, what would they say, or would he notice them? He did not give her long to study the question. He swung himself from the piano stool and went towards the staring children. How are you, Lucius? He said, not

Starting point is 06:22:22 pleasantly, as though they had visited together all their lives. So this is your little sister, Lucy. Why, Lucius, how far ahead of her you have grown? Aren't you the same age? Lucius nodded. And yet you are a head taller. That's good. I always like to see a boy taller than a girl. He can take care of her better. How old are you, Lucy? Ten? I had a little sister once who would be just your age now if she had lived. Her name was Lorene. Well, what are we going to do first? What's that? asked Lucy, pointing her small thin finger at the shining case of the piano. That, said Wells, is a music box. It plays any tune that you are a mind to make it. Do you want to hear it? He seated himself again on the music stool, and the group closed in around.

Starting point is 06:23:22 him while he rushed through waltzes and marches and snatches of tunes which he hummed and whistled. Christy, in her delight and relief, almost forgot that she was hostess and had the great care of entertaining the Cox children on her heart. Indeed, from that moment she had no need to feel it a burden. Wells gave himself to the work with such zeal and success, telling stories, singing songs, playing tunes, answering questions, that, when promptly at five o'clock Mr. Keith made his appearance, he found the five young people well acquainted and apparently entirely satisfied with one another. There was no denying that both Lucius and Lucy were a good deal startled at the coming of the minister. They knew him by sight, and had scud over the fields in alarm many a time to avoid speaking to him,

Starting point is 06:24:20 or rather having him speak to them. But, finding that he took very little notice of them, that the others were glad to see him, and that he gave most of his attention to the new piano, they settled down the startled look going out of their eyes, and I don't think either of them knew just when they began to join in the talk, and even answer the minister's questions without feeling afraid. And now the supper was ready.

Starting point is 06:24:49 that wonderful supper, the like of which the Cox children had never seen. How their plates were heaped with the warmed up potatoes, what dishes of hot applesauce did they make away with? And as for the bread, Christy had as much as she could do to keep from looking her astonishment, for though the visitors were frightened at the idea of sitting down to a table covered with a white cloth and using knife and fork, yet the taste of the food had overcome their timidity to such an extent that they gave themselves up to the joy of eating and having enough.

Starting point is 06:25:27 It was when they were all back in the parlor, the father talking with Mr. Keith and the young people gathered into a corner by themselves, that Lucy Cox spoke suddenly with the air of one who had puzzled over this thing long enough and now felt determined to have satisfaction. "'Look here, I want to know now what you did it for.' "'Did what?' asked startled Christy, for Lucy had pushed away her bangs, and her great black eyes were fixed on Christy's face. "'Had us come here, me and Lucius, and eat supper and have cake and milk and good things, and sit in your big nice chairs and see that machine and all. What did you do it for?'

Starting point is 06:26:13 her voice was so loud and earnest that it had stopped the talk of the boys and wells was looking right at christie with a curious smile on his face that said to her yes if you please i am interested in that very same question what did you want of the little coxes we wanted you to have a good time said christie looking down her cheeks growing red we thought you would like it and we thought you would like it and and we wanted you too. What for? It was Lucy again. She had a talent for asking questions, it seemed, and she kept those black eyes fixed on Christy. Wells laughed a very little. He could not help it. That was coming right to the point. Why should she be so anxious to have the little Cox's have a good time? To be sure, he had a dim idea what she was after, but how was she going to to explain to them. That was just what Christy did not know. She hesitated a little and glanced timidly up at Wells. He would help her if he could. She began to understand this thoroughly, but his face told her that he did

Starting point is 06:27:30 not see how she was going to answer this. She looked over at Mr. Keith, but he was busy with her father, their voices dropped low, and their faces looking as though earnest words were being said. Christy would not have interrupted them for a great deal. She must help herself out, and to do so, she must begin at the beginning. Do you know about Jesus Christ, Lucy? No, I don't want to know any stories now. I want you to tell me what you did this for. I am trying to tell you. Don't you truly know anything about Jesus Christ? No. Then, said Christy, a little shocked and more doubtful than ever how to tell her story. You know about God, don't you?

Starting point is 06:28:21 Not much, and that hasn't got anything to do with it anyway. Yes, it has. It has everything to do with it. Lucy, you know God made you, don't you? Lucy nodded. Well, he wanted you to have a good time here, and he wanted me to and everybody, and he made a beautiful world and sunshine.

Starting point is 06:28:43 and everything so we could. But there is a wicked spirit named Satan who hates us and wants us to be ugly and unhappy. He made us do wrong things. Lucy, do you know about heaven? No. Well, that is the world where God lives, and it is beautiful, and there is nothing bad there ever. And God wanted us all to come there and Satan didn't. Then Jesus, God's son, said he would come and help us, and he came away from heaven and died for us, and helped everybody, and showed us what to do to get away from Satan and get ready to go to heaven. But I want to know what you wanted Lude and me to come over here to supper for, and gave us lots of good things. That don't tell. Christy looked pained and puzzled, and stole another glance at Wells, which made that young fellow feel as though it would be worth a good

Starting point is 06:29:44 deal to understand this story, as well as he did multiplication, for instance, so that he might help Christy. But he had not the least idea what to say, so he kept still. Christy tried again. Lucy, I belong to Jesus Christ. I am his servant, and he told me he wanted me to ask you to come here and have a good time. Why does he? Because he loves you and wants you to belong to him. He has a beautiful place in heaven that he wants you to live in, and he wants you to get ready to go. How will I get there? Why, he will send for you as soon as you are ready, but you must get ready first, and there is a good deal to do. Lucy looked down at herself. I haven't got any better clothes, she said gravely, and I haven't got any more ribbons to cover up the holes. I found this on the road. I can't get

Starting point is 06:30:47 any more ready than I am, and I don't know as I want to go anyhow. Besides, you ain't told the truth. That ain't got nothing to do with Lut and me coming here to supper. Look a here. Here, said Lucius, speaking for the first time. You had better keep still. We're having a good time, and you needn't go and spoil it. End of Chapter 19. Chapter 20 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibervok's Recording is in the Public Domain. Chapter 20. Entertaining Company I don't want to spoil it, declared Lucy.

Starting point is 06:31:33 I want to know why. and she said she'd tell me. I tried to, said poor Christy, but you don't understand. Lucy, see here, if you knew Jesus Christ, you would understand all about it. Where is he? He went back to heaven, but he can see from there a way down here and hear what we say, and he tells his servants what to do. He told me to ask you to come here to supper and make you have a good time.

Starting point is 06:32:05 I don't believe it. What was to be done with the little skeptic? Poor Christy looked from one to another of the group in dismay. If there was any one thing that she had been in the habit of all her life, it was being trusted. What to say next to a person who coolly told her she did not believe what she had said was more than Christy knew. Wells looked both troubled and amused. The ignorance of the little heathen before him was simply amusing to him,

Starting point is 06:32:39 but he was troubled to think that he really did not know how to help Christy in the least. At this point, Mr. Keith drew his chair toward the circle. He had heard some of the last words, while Mr. Tucker was answering a call to the kitchen, and it seemed to him time to give the young hostess a little help. "'What is being talked about here?' he asked, smiling brightly on them all, especially on Christy, who gave a relieved sigh as she saw him move toward them. But Lucy did not choose to pitch her red-hot questions or denials at him, so sat silent and abashed.

Starting point is 06:33:20 Christy gently explained, Lucy wanted to know why I wanted her and Lucius to have a good time, and I told her Jesus "'Jesus told me to make them as good a time as I could, "'and she doesn't think that can be so.' "'I see,' said Mr. Keith. "'She does not know Jesus "'and does not see why he should care "'whether she has a good time or not.

Starting point is 06:33:44 "'Is that it?' "'Lucy nodded. "'Mr. Keith looked about him "'to see what he could find "'to help in explaining a wonderful old truth "'to this little dark mind. "'Mr. Tossus, Tucker had come back from the kitchen and had Nettie in his arms, and she was intently listening

Starting point is 06:34:04 to him. The two sat down together in one of the chairs near, and there was such a look of fatherly love and care on Mr. Tucker's face that the minister thought he would serve as an illustration for Lucy. I want you to look at Nettie in her father's arms, and then look at his face, and tell me whether you think he would like to make her very happy in any way. that he could. The entire group turned and looked at the father and daughter, who were having a good time without knowing that they were helping anybody. Lucy, after a steady, searching, look at them, turned to Mr. Keith again and nodded her head. Very well. Now suppose that a bad man should come in at the door and try to get Nettie to go with him. Do you think her father would be

Starting point is 06:34:56 willing she should go and make no effort to save her? Lucy violently shook her head. Well, did not Christy tell you that you belong to the Lord Jesus? Netty only belongs to her father because God gave her to him, but you belong to Jesus because he made you and keeps you alive. Now, can't you see that he wants you to have a good time since he took the trouble to make you and take care of you? Lucy considered. She was losing her timidity. Her fierce little heart was full of new and strange thoughts. It was time she understood some of them. Why don't he give me good times then? She asked, and her voice was fierce. We have horrid times at our house, always. Mr. Keith needed another illustration.

Starting point is 06:35:52 Lucy, he said, bending toward her, you remember that bad man whom we supposed might come after Nettie? Suppose he were here, and Nettie should want to go with him and obey him, and her father should set her down and say to her, My little girl, this is a bad man. He will do nothing but harm to you, and if you will come to me, I will see that he never touches you, and I will see that. that you get safely home to a beautiful place I have waiting for you,

Starting point is 06:36:24 but you must choose which of us you will obey, or else I cannot help you, and suppose Nettie should choose the bad man. Carl and Wells looked at each other, for both saw that this was the same sort of illustration which had been used for them, and had made them decide that they were fools, but Lucy did not understand as well as they had.

Starting point is 06:36:48 she wouldn't do it she exclaimed in triumph nettie wouldn't go with the bad man a step she would run right to her father the boys laughed but mr keith sighed yes he said i think she would and that is just the difference between her and you this jesus who owns you has been calling to you all your life coaxing you to choose between him and the bad master who's who wants you to follow him, and you have chosen the bad master. I haven't, said Lucy, her dark face growing red all over, and losing every vestige of her timidity. In her rage she stamped her foot. I haven't either. It is no such thing. He never said a word to me, nor the other one either. I never heard them speak in my life, and I wouldn't do no such thing is that, and you needn't say I would." Mr. Keith bent forward and spoke low. Lucy, he said, will you listen to me very carefully? I want to tell you a story. There was once a little girl who had a baby brother, and she took him out one day in the

Starting point is 06:38:07 fields to play, and set him down by the bank, and he rolled over and got his dress and shoes all wet and muddy, and spoiled a ribbon that the little sister had laid in his lap. Now this little sister ran over to him, and as she ran, she heard two people speaking to her. One said, Little rascal, he is always getting you into trouble, and now Mother will whip you for letting him get muddy, and he has spoiled your ribbon, too. Shake him as hard as you can, and slap his arms and his hand. The other voice said, He couldn't help tumbling over. He is only a little fellow. He did not do it on purpose, and he does not understand that he has hurt your ribbon. Kiss him and tell him you are sorry

Starting point is 06:38:55 he fell, and tell mother that you will take better care of him next time. Those two voices were the Lord Jesus who made this little girl, and the bad man who wanted to keep her away from her home in heaven that Jesus had made ready for her. And the little girl said to Jesus, I won't, I won't, I'll slap him as hard as I can. I don't care if he is a baby. Now, which master did she choose to obey? You should have seen Lucy's face then. It was a curious study, read indeed, but not angry, rather astonished beyond words to express and ashamed. She dropped her eyes to the floor and made no answer at all and had no question ready. After a moment's waiting, Mr. Keith said gently, There are always those two voices talking to people, and they are always choosing which they will obey. The thing is that it has been left for them to choose. The Lord Jesus wants willing servants. we must decide for him, then he will do all the rest. It is true that he told his servant

Starting point is 06:40:09 Christy to ask you and Lucius to come here tonight, and to make you as happy as she could, and to tell you what he wanted of you, but he will not make you love him whether you want to or not. You can still go on serving the badmaster if you choose, but you must not blame him for not giving you a happy life if you will not have him for a friend. Mrs. Tucker had now come in, and Mr. Keith withdrew his chair and joined the other group. The boys looked at one another, and then at Lucy, who still had her eyes on the carpet. It was an embarrassing time. Nobody knew what to say next. At last, Wells came to the rescue. What if we young folks should play some games together?

Starting point is 06:40:58 Christy, do you suppose your mother would let us go to the kitchen? Christy arose promptly, giving Wells a grateful look as she hastened away to make ready the room. I suppose the little coxas never even dreamed of a nicer time than they had there for the next hour. It appeared that Wells not only knew all sorts of games, but he knew how to explain them to others and to be patient with dullness and good-natured over mistakes. And you know yourselves that it is not every boy or girl, either who can do these last things. The fun grew so great that after a time the father and mother and minister came to look on. Yet through it all, Lucy Cox kept a watchful eye on the minister and on her

Starting point is 06:41:49 opportunities, and when at last she stood close to him, she said suddenly, speaking low, Who told you? Who told me what, my child? He answered, thus suddenly called from the the bewilderments of blind man's buff. That about me and Tommy in the field? He bent toward her. My child, no one told me. I saw it. I was passing that way, and I saw little Tommy fall,

Starting point is 06:42:19 and I saw the shaking and the slapping. And I am so well acquainted with Jesus and with that evil spirit that I know as well as though I had heard them that one was coaxing you to do right and the other to do right. and the other to do wrong, and I saw you choose to do the wrong thing. Lucy pushed up the handkerchief from her blinded eyes and looked around her, half frightened. I didn't see no one, she said doubtfully. No, the trees hid me from your view, but I saw you and Tommy distinctly.

Starting point is 06:42:55 But I mean them other two. Lucy, don't you know that you cannot see them with the eyes that you have now? They are spirits, and our eyes are not made to see spirits. Lucy sniffed contemptuously and drew down her handkerchief. I don't believe in nothing that I can't see. She said, with a logic and wisdom worthy of some who are older than she and ought to know more. She was caught just then and had to go through the ordeal of being discovered and taking her turn as catcher, but it took her not two minutes to lay hands on wells, and the moment her fingers touched the nap of his coat sleeve, she triumphantly announced his name. It's that Burton boy, you can't humbug me. A few moments more, and the changes of the game brought her back to the

Starting point is 06:43:48 corner where Mr. Keith still stood. He bent towards her. Lucy, did you ever hear the wind blow? "'Course,' said Lucy, utter converse, said Lucy, utter converse. contempt in her voice. She thought the minister was being very foolish in his talk. Then you are sure that there is such a thing as wind? Of course I am. But did you ever see the wind? And now, for the first time, Lucy discovered where her own logic had led her. She said not a word in reply for several minutes, not indeed until she had made the circuit of all the corners without getting caught, and was back beside him again. Her voice had changed its tone and was almost gentle as she said, but I can hear the wind plain enough. And you can hear those two speaking plainly to you

Starting point is 06:44:44 whenever you choose to listen. They speak low. Apparently Lucy had had all the lesson her mind could grasp. She said no more. Indeed, there was little time after that. The game broke up. The carriage came for Wells, and he invited the minister to ride with him, and the minister asked if there was not time for one song and a prayer. So they went back to the front room, and Wells played, There's a land that is fairer than day, Mr. Keith taking a song leaflet out of his pocket to furnish music, and then he and Wells and Carl sang it. Christy tried to. It was one of their Sabbath school pieces, and she knew. knew it well, but it made the tears come so to hear the familiar tune ringing out to her from

Starting point is 06:45:33 the keys of her own piano that they choked her voice. Lucy and Lucius could only listen and stare. They had never heard the song. They knew nothing about Sabbath school. Wells and the minister talked about that as they rode home in the carriage. Those little chips ought to be gotten into the Sabbath school. Wells said, They say they have never been in their lives. Why, they are regular little heathen. Christy says they have no clothes to wear. I must talk to my mother about that. But the minister, though he was interested enough in the Cox children and glad over the thought of getting them to Sabbath school, made a different answer from what Wells had expected.

Starting point is 06:46:21 After all, my boy, they seemed to be not much farther away from the right road than you and Carl, and some others who have been in Sabbath school all your lives, or at least have been to church and known all about these things. So far as the getting home is concerned, I suppose it makes little difference whether we are not on the right road because we do not know about it or because we do not choose to take it, though I admit that it might make a great difference in the degree of blame that belongs to us.

Starting point is 06:46:55 What was a boy like Wells to eat? answer to such a sentence. He thought about it a while and then concluded that there was really nothing to say. And once more, he wondered why he had been and continued to be such an idiot. It was nine o'clock the next four noon. The kitchen where the tuckers sat with their work was as neat and trim as Christy's hands could make it. She had washed and dried and set away the dishes while her mother mixed bread, and then she had swept and polished the stove and done all the last little things to make a room look neat and comfortable, while Mrs. Tucker washed the baby's face and fed him his bread and milk and tucked him away for his morning nap. Now she was sitting

Starting point is 06:47:45 by the window, a round basket beside her full of bright-colored rags, which she was stripping into pieces about a half an inch wide, and Christy was hunting her thimble to be ready to sew them together to make more of the plump, bright balls, which were slowly gathering in the barrel in the woodhouse cupboard. The tuckers had been for nearly three years getting material enough together to make a rag carpet. It was slow work, because in that family, things had to be worn a very long while before they were ready to be stripped into rags. If it was a little, if it was a little bit, had not been for their friend the tail or rest, who declared she had not time to make a carpet, and who saved all the waste bits for the tuckers, it would have taken them longer.

Starting point is 06:48:32 As the matter stood now, mother and daughter were beginning to say cheerily to each other. By next winter, I guess we will have rags enough for a bedroom carpet, and won't that be nice? Time was when their hopes had been to get enough for the great front room, but as that had blossomed so lately into a carpet with real flowers and vines, it was mother's bedroom that was thought of now. There was a rag carpet already on the floor, but it was very old, and looked uglier every day to Christy, who knew how she wanted Mother's room to look. They three, Mother and Christy and Nettie, had the room to themselves. Nettie occupied her own little chair and was hushing her dolly, and occasionally speaking low to her mother. Couldn't you tear rags a little softly, don't you think? I am afraid my baby won't get to sleep today if there is such a noise. The mother laughed a little, reminding her motherly daughter that her baby slept right through all the noise, but promising also, in soothing tone, to try to be more careful.

Starting point is 06:49:47 Now she held up a worn little skirt to the light, and appealed to Christy as she came with needle and thread. I don't know about this child. Perhaps we ought to save it. It would just fit Lucy Cox, and while there isn't much strength to it, it would be better than none, as long as it lasted. I don't believe that she had any on yesterday, I know she hadn't, Christy said. Her dress skirt came unpinned, and I fixed it for her, and I saw she had none on.

Starting point is 06:50:21 Mother, I wish we could think of some way to get clothes for them, so that they could go to Sabbath school. You don't know how strangely Lucy talks. She don't understand about things, and you can't tell her, because some way there is no place to begin, though Mr. Keith did make her understand a little. He knows how. Mother, he made a story out of Father and Nettie that helped her to understand about God. I wish you could have heard what he said. It was such a nice thing, and Nettie looked so cunning in father's arms. He told us about it, said Mrs. Tucker, in a low voice that was full of feeling. He told your father that he had been using him to show a little girl the way to heaven. And your father said that was queer, since he did not know the way there

Starting point is 06:51:14 himself. And then they had a real sober talk. He knows how to do things, Christy. I kind of believe that he will get hold of your father. We must contrive some way to help those Cox children. They ought to be in Sunday school. I mean to speak to Mrs. Baker about them when I go in with the sewing. I must try to do that this very afternoon. afternoon. Then she folded the little skirt and laid it aside. It would make a very bright strip in the carpet, but she could not afford to use it. When folks have so little to give, she said, we must just be saving of the odds and ends. Mother, said Christy, do you think we used the things as Mr. Fletcher meant? I should think we made a beginning child and a very good one.

Starting point is 06:52:08 Mr. Keith managed to show Lucy Cox something that she understood about God, why, there is no telling where that will end. And if Mr. Keith has got hold of your father, there is no telling where that will end. I am pretty sure it will mean a good deal to me. I need him, child. Things are just beginning, and I suppose if it hadn't been for the furniture, they wouldn't have begun. Just how far this conversation would have reached, if there had not been an interruption, I don't know. But it was just at that moment that Christy raised her eyes to the little front window, and saw there what made her drop her bag of rags, and her pink spool and her ball already half-wound, and spring up with an exclamation that, Nettie complained, woke her baby completely! End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 of Christy's Christmas by Pansy

Starting point is 06:53:14 The Sliberbox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 21. An Exciting Time What in the world is the matter now? Said Mrs. Tucker, a trifle sharply, for Christy's sudden start had made her prick her finger and she looked for a bit of rag to wipe away the drop of blood. Oh, I am so, sorry, said Christie, seeing the drop. But Mother, Wells Burton's carriage has stopped at the door,

Starting point is 06:53:44 and a lady and gentlemen, and Wells himself, are getting out and coming up the walk, and it must be his father and mother. For pity's sake, said Mrs. Tucker, rising too, and beginning to hastily gather her work, and the front-room fire is all out. Pick up the rags, Christy, quick, and don't let them see such a litter as this. Mrs. Tucker only had a fire in her front room for a few weeks, but she was already beginning to speak of it as a thing that it was hard to get along without. It doesn't take long to get used to luxuries and call them necessities, she said almost fretfully. It does seem a pity when we have such a nice room. Christy, too, was almost more fluttered than she had ever been before. The little Tucker

Starting point is 06:54:34 house sat back from the road, and there was time to do quite a little talking before the company reached the door. "'Mother,' said Christy, "'I do wish they wouldn't come. I like Wells, but his mother looks proud, and her dress is all silk and velvet. She will think she must thank me, and I don't know what to say. I don't want any thanks.' Then came the knock. "'Go to the door, child,' said Mrs. Tucker, stuffing the last scarlet rag frantically into the bag. She won't bite you if she is in silk and velvet, and as for her thanks, it is natural enough for her to want to give them, since you saved the life of a boy like Wells. By this time Christy was at the door. Good morning, said Wells. It was he

Starting point is 06:55:25 who had knocked. You did not expect me this morning, did you? I found Papa and Mama at home when I reached there. They came last night after all. Mama, this is Christy. Then he stood back, and Christy found herself taken possession of, a rustle of silk all about her, and herself, folded in arms covered with velvet, and her cheeks and eyes and lips showered with kisses, while the tears stood in a pair of motherly eyes. "'My child,' she said at last, and her voice reminded Christy of the notes of her piano. I couldn't write it, and I can't say it. God only knows what you have done for me. Was this, thanks? Christy did not know. It certainly was not what she had expected, and it was very sweet. Mr. Burton pushed his way in, and stood shaking her mother's hand and looking down on her and saying,

Starting point is 06:56:25 God bless you, madame, for bringing up such a daughter. And then he turned to Christy, and bent his bearded lips and kissed her as he might have kissed his daughter. It was an exciting time. Wells stood apart, smiling, his eyes glistening a little. He had never been able to say much about that narrow escape of his. He had been very anxious to have his father and mother come and say it. The waiting had seemed long to him, had seemed almost an insult to Christy. Now that they had come, they did not seem to have much to say, but the boy was satisfied. He felt that both father and mother had thanked Christy in a way that she could understand. Nettie came forward at last, gravely, to get her share of attention. She was used to a good deal of it. Mr. Burton at once took

Starting point is 06:57:19 her in his arms and kissed her, and then he kissed the great doll with its wide-open eyes, and it was so plain that he did not know what he was about that they all laughed. It was wonderful how much less embarrassed everybody felt after that. They all sat down somewhere, Wells bringing a chair from the front room for his father, and before she knew it, Mrs. Tucker was inquiring for the sick son, and telling about a remedy that they used East, which she believed might help him. Of course, the whole story of the journey had to be gone over again, again, how the man in front of Christy came to explain about the ropes, and how she had laughed at the

Starting point is 06:58:01 idea of stopping the train, and how she had seen Wells on the platform but a moment before, and then seen him disappear, how she was sure it was Wells, for Carl had often told her about him, and she had watched him herself many a time. Then Mrs. Burton told of her anxiety when the train was delayed all day, and of her feeling when they brought Wells up the steps, and how he shouted, Don't be frightened, mother, it is only a sprain, and I have had a doctor who has almost cured me already. He told me all about it, she said, every little thing, how you bathed his ankle, and took up a collection of handkerchiefs to bandage it, and then did it so nicely. And really, the doctor said,

Starting point is 06:58:48 if it had been allowed to swell all day with nothing done for it, it would have been a bad business. Oh, I have wanted to come to you every day, and at night sometimes, when I would get thinking of it, I would almost feel as though I could fly. I would have written, but every day I thought by the next I could surely come out. But my poor boy has been so ill, this is the first time that I could safely leave him, and wind and snow and rain have done what they could to keep Mr. Burton at the west. Oh, it has been a trying time. In the midst of all this, Wells slipped away. Christy wondered afterwards when he went, she did not see him. And Mr. Burton, after joining in the talk for a few minutes and finding that Mr. Tucker was in the upper lot, said he would go and see him there, and Christy,

Starting point is 06:59:44 looking around for Wells, missed him then, and concluded that he had gone ahead in search of Carl. Meantime, there were some queer noises in the front part of the house. It was like something falling. She looked out of the window, but all she saw was Wells talking with Carl, and she concluded that the latter meant to slip in by the front door and go through the front room to her bedroom and get his hands washed and his hair in order before he appeared. What could be the latter? What could he be tumbling? She hoped it had nothing to do with her dear piano. What if he had tipped over the water pitcher and the new carpet was getting a wedding? She wanted to go and see, but Mrs. Burton was talking eagerly to her, and there was no chance to slip away. The time passed, and Carl did

Starting point is 07:00:34 not come. He must be in dreadful trouble, Christy thought. Neither did Wells nor his father. She looked out of the window a good deal, but there was nothing to be seen but the Burton carriage being driven up and down to exercise the horses. At last, even they went out of sight, for the Tucker house was on a corner where three roads met, and the carriage at last went around the house. After what seemed to Christy a long time, Mr. Burton came back, bringing her father with him, and then a great deal of the talk had to be gone over, but she had to be. But she, She could not slip away, for Mrs. Burton had fast hold of her hand all the time. And when she asked her father where Carl was, all he had to say was,

Starting point is 07:01:22 he guessed he was around somewhere. And from time to time came little noises from the front room. At last, Christy decided that Carl had resolved on building a fire so that the guests might get a glimpse of the glories of the great room. After that she was quiet. It was not so very long before he appeared, his hair not wonderfully combed, and his face flushed as though he had been taking a good deal of exercise. He sat down, though, without a hint as to a fire in the front room. Wells was behind him and did the talking. Mama, have you asked Mrs. Tucker if she would agree to our plan? Christy, isn't it a nice one? I hope you think so. I do. "'Softly, my son,' said Mrs. Burton, smiling.

Starting point is 07:02:13 "'You go too fast. We had not reached your plan yet. "'I'll suggest it now, though. "'Mrs. Tucker, Wells, tells me, that your young people are not in school.' "'No,' said Mrs. Tucker, her motherly cheeks growing red. "'We are out of the district, you see, and we could not bring it about yet.' "'And the school is not a desirable one I hear.' I have grown so nervous over Wells's going into the city every day that we have made a change and secured a teacher in the house for him, a noble young man who is a friend of the pastor here,

Starting point is 07:02:51 Mr. Keith, and most highly recommended by him, and Wells wants Christy and Carl to join him at our house for four hours of hard work every day. Mr. Hosmer is also a fine musician, and Christy can commence lessons at once on the piano. wells tells me she has a nice little one of her own now mr tucker if you will lend your son and daughter to us every day for the next year we shall really consider it a favor for wells does not like to study alone and there are no young people here that he cares to have with him except christian carl what was to be said to such a wonderful sentence as that i don't wonder that it took even mrs tucker's breath away and that Mr. Tucker sat silent, his lips working strangely, and his eyes growing too dim to see even how pale Christy had grown, nor how she clutched at her chair as if she were falling. The mother sighed it, and drew nearer and put her arm around her girl, while Mr. Tucker tried twice to speak before his voice would obey orders. Then it quivered suspiciously. If there is any one thing that their mother and I have coveted for our boy and girl, it was a chance to learn, and that we couldn't seem to manage know how. They are smart, and we knew they were, and we knew if we would give them half a chance

Starting point is 07:04:22 they would get along. Their mother has taught them a good deal, and she was a good scholar in her day, but it is all that we could do, and the way out seemed to be getting thicker all the time. and now to have such a chance as this all of a sudden, it is most too much. I don't know what to say, nor how to say it. Don't say anything, my friend, Mr. Burton broke in, except to relieve this boy's anxiety. And here he put his arm around Wells, who had drawn a chair to his side. He wants to see Carl and Christy in his schoolroom on Monday morning without fail. He worked all yesterday morning, getting the study tables and chairs arranged exactly to his mind. Well, there was more talk and a little planning.

Starting point is 07:05:13 The excitement lessened to the grown people. They had learned to take even astonishment in a calmer way than young blood can. But Christy could distinctly hear the loud thuds of her own heart and was occupied in wondering some of the time whether it were possible that no one heard it but herself. This thing that had come to her seemed too wonderful for belief. She looked over at Carl and rubbed her eyes and wondered if she might not be dreaming. Carl actually looked sober over it.

Starting point is 07:05:47 Not sorrowful by any means. There was a light in his brown eyes that seemed fairly to dazzle her, but his good, strong face was as grave as a man's, and almost seemed to have a man's thought on it. Christy could not help thinking that Carl saw farther even than this wonderful going to school. It was all arranged in a very short time, considering the interests involved. They were to begin on Monday at 9 o'clock and work until 1, and on 2 days of the week they were to remain until 3,

Starting point is 07:06:22 Christy to take a music lesson, and Carl to begin Latin and drawing. Of course they will lunch with us on those days. days. Mrs. Burton said, rising, and buttoning her velvet cloak as she spoke, "'We lunch at two, and we shall be only too glad to have young faces about us so often. Wells tells me that Christy is a good walker, but you need not be troubled about her, Mrs. Tucker. Whenever it is in the least unpleasant, the carriage can come for them as well as not. The horses need exercise, and I shall always send them home in it when I think they ought not to walk. Indeed, Wells expects to have his own pony carriage here during the summer, and I presume he will

Starting point is 07:07:07 insist on driving them. Oh, don't speak of obligation, Mr. Tucker, don't. You frighten us. Look at Wells, and think what might have been but for your brave child. Even if his life had been spared, added Mr. Burton, and then after a moment he said in a low voice, we have one son who is helpless and a sufferer. At last they went away. Christy was glad. It seemed to her that she could not have borne it another minute. The moment the door closed after them,

Starting point is 07:07:43 she laid her head in her mother's lap and cried as though her heart would break. And the mother smoothed back her hair and tried to raise her and said, Why, what a little goosey she is to be sure. but she said it in a queer-sounding voice and actually plashed a great tear on Christy's nose as she spoke. When Mr. Tucker came back from seeing his guests to the carriage,

Starting point is 07:08:09 he said, Well, well, well. And Nettie, who began to suspect that she really was not having her share of attention, climbed into his arms and besought him to look at her lovely dolly and not keep winking his eyes so. That made them laugh. Even Christy sat up and laughed, with her face tears stained. Then the baby in the bedroom lifted up his voice and gave an unmistakable squeal. He means to do the crying himself, said the mother, hurrying away, glad if the truth be told, to hide her face in the baby's neck for a minute.

Starting point is 07:08:49 Perhaps he's got something to cry for, said the father, but I don't, for the life of me, see what the rest of us are. mean. Carl, my boy, are you standing on your head, do you suppose? Everything is getting topsy-turvy. How about books, my boy? Can we think up any way to manage them? Carl, said Christy suddenly. Were you in the front room? I thought I heard noises there like something tumbling. What could it have been? Yes, said Carl, giving a quick start toward the door. I was in there and something tumbled too. I had a great time. Come in and see. They rushed away, and Mrs. Tucker, with the baby in her arms, rose up as if to follow them. Dear, dear, she said. I do hope nothing has happened to her piano. If there has, I don't know what

Starting point is 07:09:45 will become of that child. She is getting the most ridiculous notion of fainting. Did you see her when they were here, she turned as white as that tablecloth. Before Mr. Tucker was ready to answer, they heard a queer little squeal from Christy, and a louder one from Nettie, and then father and mother went to the rescue. What they saw there was enough to make anybody in his senses squeal a little. The what-not which had stood but an hour before, with its rows of empty shelves, was filled now from floor to its topmost corner with books. Books bound in red and green and russet brown, and brown and gold and black. How wonderful they looked to Christy, who had all her little life wanted books and never had any to speak of, I cannot even pretend to tell you. She stood in front

Starting point is 07:10:41 of the what-not, her hands clasped as if in awe, and her cheeks the color of the red bindings, which gleamed down at her. No fear. fear of fainting just then. Go and look at them, Carl was saying, just as his father and mother appeared on the scene. Just you open the covers and take a peep inside. You'll see some fine writing I can tell you. That boy can write beautifully, and he says he is going to take lessons this term. Carl's eyes added, so am I. But he wasn't yet ready to trust his voice to say such a wonderful thing as that. There's an arithmetic, let me tell you, the latest kind, two of them. He said it was awkward sometimes for two people to use the same books. And you see that broad flat book away down under the

Starting point is 07:11:32 what-not? It was too wide for any shelf. That is a geography and atlas. Great colored maps, beauties. And there are histories and stories about the sea and the moon, and oh, I can't tell you. Why don't you go and look at them? For Christy still stood with clasped hands and swift coming breath and silent voice. "'Look here,' said Mrs. Tucker, seizing hold of Carl. "'What is all this about? Where did these books come from, and how did they get in here?' Carl laughed. They came out of that box mother that lies out there on the stoop,

Starting point is 07:12:13 and we put them on the shelves, Wells and I. We had to work like troopers, for we expected every minute that Christy would be rushing in to see what the noise was, though his mother had promised to keep hold of her if she could. A whole armful of them tumbled at once, and it seemed to me that they made a noise like an earthquake. Father, do you see now how we are going to manage about books? There were a great many questions to answer, of course, and Carl was willing and ready to answer. Why mother, he says these are his present, that the going to school part is his mother's plan, and that it isn't a present, because it will be a good deal nicer for him than to study there alone, and that his father and mother say, from what they hear of our family, they would rather he would be with us than anywhere else,

Starting point is 07:13:07 and that, he says, is just selfishness. It's the nicest kind of selfishness that I ever heard of. and Carl gave a genial laugh, but that is the way he pretends to look at it, and these books, he says, are his present, given because he wants to give them. A good many of them are from his own library. He says he has had them so long and read them so much that he is kind of tired of them,

Starting point is 07:13:34 and will be glad to have them out of the way. So that is selfish too, I suppose, with another laugh. But, Father, did you ever hear, hear the like? No, said Father Tucker, speaking slowly and wiping his forehead with his red handkerchief. I must say I never did in my life, and there seems to be no end to it and nothing to say. I've used up all the language that I ever learned, and still it keeps coming. I'll tell you what it is my girl. It looks as though that journey, which you took to your uncle Daniels, was going to be the

Starting point is 07:14:15 greatest trip of your life. Well, well, well. When Mr. Tucker said that, the family knew that there was nothing more to be expected. Excitement had reached its height, and he must have a chance to be quiet. After a time, Christy brought herself to the delight of handling the wonderful books, examining them inside and out, looking at the illustrations and the author's names and the publisher's names, devouring indeed everything about them. Not the least interesting part was the story on the fly leaf. Miss Christy Tucker from her grateful traveling companion, or Christy from Wells, or for my distinguished surgeon in memory of many pocket handkerchiefs. Miss Christy Tucker, from one who escaped the down train. These were some of the inscriptions. The boy had exhausted

Starting point is 07:15:15 his invention in writing in each some reference to the eventful day when their acquaintance began. The tears which had been pushed back by excitement were creeping very near the front again, until Christie opened a large, beautifully bound volume of Abbott's delightful history, and read on the fly-leaf, Christy, in memory of Sarah Anne, Then she laughed and the tears went back. It was Mr. Tucker who finally found his voice again after discovering baby at the piano, just as he touched the key once, making it give forth a sound that turned Christy suddenly from her books.

Starting point is 07:15:56 Look here, mother, do you suppose we can any of us do such a kind of everyday thing as to eat some dinner? In case we should want to, how are we going to get it, I wonder. I hear the clock striking twelve. Whereupon Mrs. Tucker, who had been divided between her attempts to show Nettie the pictures in a book, and to keep Baby's eager hands from it, after he had been led away from the music, uttered an exclamation that seemed to mean a great deal to her, and suddenly vanished. End of Chapter 21.

Starting point is 07:16:37 Chapter 22, the final chapter of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. The Slibrovoc's recording is in the public domain. Chapter 22, Last of All The last thing that Carl and Christy did that night was to slip into the front room and take a parting look at their treasures. There was no fire in the stove, but both the children felt a glow all through them

Starting point is 07:17:02 as they looked about the pretty room and saw the gleam of the piano keys and the bright colors of the wonderful books. I feel as though I wanted to scream. said Christy. I would shout right out now if father and mother wouldn't hear me and be scared. What does make you so sober, Carl? I have noticed you all day. Don't I look glad? asked Carl, stooping over to straighten a book that was tipping. Yes, you do, but you look sober, too. There is a new look somehow. I never saw it on your face before.

Starting point is 07:17:39 It never was there before, he said, speaking with a sort of cheerful gravity. I've made up my mind to one thing, Christy, and I guess it makes a difference with looks and everything. It does with feelings I know. I'm going to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I settled it this morning early. In fact, I am a servant now. I have belonged to him all day, and I like it. "'Oh!' said Christy, drawing a long breath and making a low, sweet sound of pleasure after it, in a way that cannot be put on paper. "'That is the very best thing yet of all these best times.

Starting point is 07:18:23 "'Carl, I'm too glad to tell you anything about it. "'You will have to guess how glad I am. "'Won't you tell me all about it? "'How came you to decide?' "'Well,' said Carl, setting the lamp on the little, table and turning so that he could look into Christy's eyes, it is all mixed up with these things. I don't suppose I could tell you how much I have wanted to go to school and learn, and have you learn, and have books and things. I meant to do it someday, but once in a while I got

Starting point is 07:18:56 in a hurry and could not see how it was ever going to be done, and I would feel as though it was too bad anyhow. Sometimes when you would talk about these things, I would think, that if God thought as much of us as you did, he would plan a way for us to go to school and learn. I said once that if I could have books like other boys, I would be ready to belong to Jesus and work for him too. I felt dreadfully that day you went to Uncle Daniels. I wanted you to go, you know, I wouldn't have had you miss it for anything, and yet I kept thinking that the money it took would have bought us a geography, and what good would the going there just for a day do? Then, when you came home and had such wonderful things to tell, something seemed to say to me

Starting point is 07:19:45 that God knew all about it, and sent you there to save Wells Burtons' life and take care of that baby. And I thought maybe he knew all about everything and was planning for us. Then the things began to come, and the more they came, the more astonished I was, and I began to feel as though it was almost certain that God was doing it. Only I couldn't understand how it was going to help about the books and the school. Then last night, Wells told me he had some books for you. I was so astonished after all to think that God really was going to send books that I didn't answer a word to Wells. He did all the planning about getting them in slyly, and I kept still. But I couldn't get to sleep for a long time last.

Starting point is 07:20:33 night. This morning, I got up before it was light, and I made up my mind, whatever the books were, whether there was a geography or not, God was doing it all, and I would belong to him and serve him. "'Yes, sir,' said Carl, in excitement, bringing his strong little fist down on the table. "'I said I would, whether I ever went to school a day in my life. And here this morning there come two geographies and two arithmetic and the school and all. I never saw anything like it. And here Carl, who had not let even Christy see him cry for more than a year, dashed off two tears and choked back several more. The door leading from the kitchen into the hall opened, and they heard their mother's voice. Children, are you standing in that cold room yet? You do beat all. Go right away.

Starting point is 07:21:31 to bed. The books won't run away before morning, nor the piano either. You may depend upon that. Wells was standing on the piazza steps the next Monday morning, waiting to show the new scholars to the schoolroom. They came in ample time, their cheeks rosy with the hasty walk, the excitement, or both. They looked very neat and trim. Christy in her traveling dress, which her mother had concluded might be worn for the first day or two, and Carl in a neat jacket made out of his father's old coat. Under his arm, he carried what was worth more to him than all the new jackets in the country, the two arithmetic and the two geographies. Here we are, said Wells, gleefully opening the schoolroom door.

Starting point is 07:22:23 It was a long room, built quite at the end of the large old house, and had a piazza running its entire length, with three glass doors opening from it into the schoolroom. Framed in two of these doors stood Christy and Carl, and looked about them in silent delight, not unmingled with awe. A carpet of mossy green covered the floor. At one end was a blackboard, at the other a history chart, and all the spaces between were filled with maps, larger maps than these two had ever seen before. The long, wide center table was strewn with books and writing materials, and had cunning rows of drawers, a set for each of them, as Wells explained. There were three large chairs of just the right height for the table, and into one of these, Christy presently sank, with clasped hands and a look of

Starting point is 07:23:18 such unutterable satisfaction on her face that Wells burst into hearty laughter. I hope he'll like, He said, as soon as he could speak, I hope you'll like everything. I fixed up things just to my fancy. Mama laughed at some of my notions, but I was sure you would like them. Don't you think, for instance, that those globes look better over on that green table where a fellow can get a chance at them than they do perched on those upper shelves? Everything looks perfectly lovely, declared Christy, and her eyes were on the cottage piano, occupied an alcove. Wells's eyes followed hers. Yes, that's my piano. It has a good tone, I think,

Starting point is 07:24:04 see if it doesn't. And he seated himself before it and ran his fingers over the keys in a way which made the blood tingle in Christy's fingertips. He laughed at the look in her eyes. You can play better than that in a little while, I presume. I have no talent for it. I just do it by hand drumming. Oh, Christy, what do you think? The Seaside Library woman has been heard from. Fact. He added, as Christy's astonished, not to say shocked eyes, were raised to his. She wrote a long letter and tried to smooth over what she had done. She said she had been miserable. I think she ought to have been, don't you? Mama thinks she must be very much changed, and I should hope she was, since that day we,

Starting point is 07:24:53 We met her on the cars. She sent a message to you. What do you think of that? Said she had reason to thank you. She did not say for what, but I suppose it was the seed cakes. There was a gleam of fun in his handsome face, but it sobered again as he said. I suppose I ought to be glad that she is trying to behave better, but you see, I don't think I like anything about her. I am glad, said Christy, her eyes shining. She knew she had been doing what was wrong, and that was what made her so cross and disagreeable. Don't you know when you have done something wrong it makes you feel cross? Wells had no answer to this but a laugh and a wise nod over at Carl. He did not choose to confess how he felt when he knew he had done wrong. The entrance of the professor interrupted the talk and set the schoolroom into a buzz of work. Many interesting things have happened to Carl and Christy since that time,

Starting point is 07:25:59 but neither of them will ever forget that first wonderful day at school. There was somebody else who had reason to remember this day. It was just at its close that Mrs. Burton called Christy to her room and began to question about the Cox children. How old were they? Of what size? What did they need in the way of clothing? Christy described them as well as she could, and blushed over the question as to what they needed. I think they need most everything, ma'am, she said hesitatingly. I don't feel quite sure what they need worst. They don't seem to have anything.

Starting point is 07:26:40 There are two suits of Wells' outgrown clothes, which would probably do for the boy. Mrs. Burton said thoughtfully, "'But I don't know about the little girl. Estelle's clothes would hardly be suitable for her. Still, there are several good strung dresses which might be made over. Well, we'll see what can be done. I think we will drive out there this afternoon and call on them, you and I, and perhaps your mother would go with us and see just what they need most.'

Starting point is 07:27:11 Christy's eyes were beautiful just then. "'Mother will go, ma'am,' she said with great eagerness. "'She knows all about everything, and she feels ever so sorry for the Cox family. "'And I will take care of Nettie and the baby and let her go. "'She knows how to help.' "'Very well,' Mrs. Burton said, smiling kindly on her. "'In her own mind she believed that Christy, too, knew how to help. "'But it was very pleasant to see how wise the womanly little

Starting point is 07:27:44 girl thought her mother to be. Christy was full of the scheme when she reached home. It was the first thing she talked about after she opened the door. Oh, Mother, Mrs. Burton is coming in the carriage at four o'clock, and she says, Will you go with her to see Mrs. Cox and find out what they need most? She is going to fix Lucius and Lucy up so that they can go to school and to church and everything. Oh, Mother, isn't it splendid? "'Me go with her in the carriage,' repeated Mrs. Tucker. "'Bless my heart, what does she want of me?'

Starting point is 07:28:21 "'But she went. Christy stood at the window with the baby in her arms and watched with intense satisfaction while Carl helped his mother into the carriage, precisely as he had seen well's due to his mother a few days before. They were gone until nearly dark, and Mrs. Tucker came home with a satisfied air. Much had been accomplished. They are fixed out finally now, especially Lucius, she said, nodding her head at Carl and Christy, but meaning the Cox children. You two will have as much as you can do not to envy them, I guess. Wells' outgrown suit fits Lucius as well as though it was made for him, and Lucy's doesn't want much fixing, though Mrs. Burton says her Estelle wore it when she was 14. She must be a delicate girl. Lucy is really a very pretty

Starting point is 07:29:17 child when she gets dressed up. She put a blue flannel suit on her, and it made her look like a lady. Her mother just broke down and cried, but that didn't last long. The next thing she did was to begin to sweep the room, and I thought that was a better sign than the crying. "'Sweeping the room while you and Mrs. Burton were there!' exclaimed Christy, aghast. "'That sort of politeness was not in keeping with her mother's usual teachings. "'Yes, while we were there, and I was glad to see it, too. "'That poor woman hasn't had the heart to sweep her room this long time, "'and I was afraid she had lost all care as to how things looked.

Starting point is 07:30:01 "'It did me good to see her start up and begin to pick up this, and sweep. The sweeping didn't last long. She said she forgot for a minute, but she did not notice that things were so bad. That is just it. She has been too discouraged to notice. Now that Mrs. Burton has put a little heart into her, she will wake up and try again, I do believe. That is a good woman, Christy. There is a difference in rich people, as well as in poor ones. "'Mother, do you think she is a Christian?' "'No,' said Mrs. Tucker in a low voice. "'I know she isn't. She said so.

Starting point is 07:30:43 "'But I guess she wants to be, "'and I can't help hoping that she is going to be.' "'Mother,' said Christy softly, "'after a few minutes of quiet, "'don't you think the furniture and other things "'are beginning to work a little bit "'in the way the old gentleman said he wanted them to? I guess they are, child. I know they are setting me to thinking. Saturday it rained. If it had not been for that,

Starting point is 07:31:13 Christy was to have gone to the depot with Carl when he took in the Saturday night's extra supply of milk. As it was, she stayed at home and watched for him with no little eagerness. The truth was, she was to have a new pair of gloves for Sunday, and Carl had had very careful directions about picking them out. She did hope he wouldn't make a mistake. He was later than usual. She began to fear that it had grown too dark for him to select the right shade. Did you get them? Was the first question she asked, as at last he opened the door. You see, when a girl has as few new things as are Christy, a pair of Lyle thread gloves at twenty cents becomes a matter of great importance. Yes, said Carl, I got them, and I guess they are the right shade, for Wells picked them out.

Starting point is 07:32:09 He says he knows they are all right. Wells, said Christy with a little start. How came he to? Why, he offered to do it while I went over to the office, and I knew he understood how to do such things. he does them for his sister. He was waiting for her. She came in on the train. She is a beauty, Christy. But I got a good deal more than gloves. Something for you. I never did see the beat. What is it? asked Christy, sitting down in the nearest chair. If anything more comes to me, Carl Tucker, I shall give up. Well, something has. A letter for one thing, and a little bit of a white box for another. Just as I was coming out of the post office, Hal Parsons called me. He is the one who was

Starting point is 07:33:01 along that day and helped with the piano. Hello, he said. Does Miss Christy Tucker live out your way now, or don't you know her? Then they all laughed. Those fellows never will get over laughing at me about that time when I said I didn't know any such person. Well, I told him I had made her acquaintance lately, and then Hal said I had better step in and look after her property, and there was an express package for you. An express package? repeated Christy, her cheeks glowing. What is that?

Starting point is 07:33:36 Oh, it comes by express, on the cars, you know. A man has to go along and take care of the things and see that they get safely to the express office. Then you have to sign your name, and the clerk gives the package to you. There was nothing to pay. Here it is. What a speck of a thing to send by express. Christy took the small, white package bearing her name and looked at it eagerly. What can it be? She said, a great deal of suppressed excitement in her voice. It can't be a piano, Carl said, laughing, nor a sewing machine, nor a rocking chair, nor even a book.

Starting point is 07:34:18 it is too little for anything. Oh, no, said Christy. Ever so many nice things are small. Don't you know that locket which Mrs. Burton wears on her chain? What a tiny thing it is. I suppose it cost a great deal of money, but of course this isn't a locket. Open it, Christy, and let's see what it is.

Starting point is 07:34:42 But Christy turned away and laid it resolutely down on the supper table. No, let's keep it, until... father comes in, and we are all ready to sit down. Then we'll have the nice time all together. We have a treat for tonight, Carl, little bits of soda biscuit, and the nicest maple syrup you ever saw. Mrs. Burton sent us a pailful since you have been gone. And, oh, Carl, Dennis had a real load of things for the coxes. Meat and a sack of flour, and some butter, and I don't know what all. Won't they have a nice Sunday? "'Going to keep the letter, too?' Carl asked.

Starting point is 07:35:22 "'Well, then, I'm off. "'Hurry up with your biscuit. "'Father and I will be in in five minutes.' "'Ten minutes more of pleasant bustle, "'and then baby was tied in his high chair, "'and Nettie climbed into hers, "'and the happy family gathered about their table. "'Now for the letter,' said Father Tucker,

Starting point is 07:35:43 "'as he tucked away a nice biscuit. "'Will your supper keep, my girl, while you read it out? Christy thought it would, and with her clean knife dexterously made an opening and drew out the neat sheet of very handsome note paper

Starting point is 07:35:58 written in a man's hand. Oh, Carl! she said in admiration. What beautiful writing! I want you to learn to write just like that. All right, said Carl cheerily. Of course I can as well as not. I'll attend to it tomorrow. And then the reading began. Dear little sunshine, I cannot help calling you so, because on that long, long, rainy day which we spent together, you were the only ray of sunshine to be seen anywhere, and you shone steadily and patiently all day, and reached right into my heart, which I thought was too sad and gloomy ever to get into sunshine again. Do you remember me, I wonder? And the number of times I looked at

Starting point is 07:36:48 my watch and how you laughed at me, a sweet bright little laugh, and then how gently you apologized for doing what was no harm at all? Oh, I remember every little thing you said and did that day. I had nothing else to do, and cannot help thinking that your sunshine had a great deal to do with helping me keep my senses, and your praying did, I believe, great things for me. Do you remember my promise, little woman? I was to write. I was to write. I was to write. I was to write you a letter. Oh, said Christy, looking up. He did say he would, but I thought he would forget all about it. He promised to tell me, well, I'll read on. Oh dear, I hope it did do some good, though I don't see how it could. Then she read, if our five hours stop in the rain and the mud

Starting point is 07:37:40 did any possible good to my friend in any way, I was to tell you of it, remember? Well, now, I have a wonderful story to tell you. There was a great physician whom I happened to know was traveling that day and would take a train at Brightwood Junction about noon for his home in a faraway city. My plan was to get to the city in time to connect with the Brightwood cars and get out there before the noon train would leave and beseech that doctor to go on with me and try to do anything for my friend. This was my plan. But it so happened. that nothing of this was true. The great doctor did not go to the Brightwood Junction at all, as I had been telegraphed that he would. At the last minute, he changed his mind and went to the

Starting point is 07:38:30 city to get the eastbound train on the Wabash Railroad. But the same storm which made trouble for us worked mischief on the Wabash Road, and there that doctor sat and waited, and hoped that the train would leave. Pretty soon came into the depot a man, a friend, friend of mine, who had been waiting at our depot for two hours for me, and then gone around to the Wabash Depot in the hope that I might have come that way. The first person he saw was this doctor whom I had telegraphed him I was going to try to bring with me. He rushed up to him and told his eager story, and the doctor went away with him to my friend's sick room. When I reached there that night, the great doctor had just gone, having stayed with her all done. And he was

Starting point is 07:39:18 day, and done for her what he hoped would save her life. Now, little friend, let me stop right here and say with all my heart, thank God, and next to him, thank you for your faith and your prayers. It would take a great deal to convince me that your praying all that day had not a great deal to do with the strange providences that led us all. For see, suppose I had been able to carry out my plans, I should have gone as fast as I could to Brightwood Junction, and so missed the doctor entirely. Or suppose I had appeared at the depot on the train which my friend expected. Then he would not have gone to the other depot at all, and in that way we would have missed him. Dear little sunshine, he is a wonderful God.

Starting point is 07:40:07 I know you will be glad to hear that I have learned to pray. I got down on my knees that night and told him that I would serve him forever, and thanked him for overturning my foolish plans and carrying out his own that day. I wonder how many more things were accomplished by that rainstorm. Wouldn't you like to have the story of that day written out for you? And now, my little woman, I have taken the first leisure moment in which to write you. There has been a great deal to do, and you see my letter comes from a long way off. I was married ten days ago to the friend whose life was saved that Christmas day, and I carried her away at once for a change of air. She is growing strong and well. In a little box

Starting point is 07:40:55 which you will find at the express office, there is a wedding present for you to help you to keep in mind the time when you laughed and prayed a soul out of sore trouble. My wife sends her love to you and says kiss baby twice for us both. Write and tell me how often you look at my wedding present. Yours, for Christ and heaven, Leonard Ramsey. Well, I never, said Mrs. Tucker. I should think as much, said Mr. Tucker. Pooh, pooh, said the baby, but he did not mean any disrespect. He was simply trying to blow out the light. As for Carl, he pushed the package toward Christy and said, in unusual excitement, open it quick, I most guess what it is. What, said Christy, and, what, said Nettie, her eyes bright with expectation. I'm not going to tell, open it quick. So, amid silence,

Starting point is 07:42:00 except from the baby, who gravely and steadily pursued his scientific project, the seal of the package was broken. It showed a small white box with a string tied around it. The string was cut and the lid lifted. It showed simply a puff of white cotton. Then Carl seized the box and held it to his ear. I knew it, he said in intense excitement, it is alive. Christy's face was growing pale. She took back the box and pushed away the cotton. Certainly it was alive, and it spoke very distinctly too. Tick-Tock, tick-tock, was what it said. Do, for pity's sake, lift it up, said Mrs. Tucker, and Christy lifted it up.

Starting point is 07:42:49 A small, gleaming gold watch, which, despite its journey from the city, was steadily engaged at its work saying, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock. Don't expect me to tell you what any of them said or did for the next half-off. hour, for really I cannot do it. Well, said Carl, drawing a long breath when the excitement was somewhat abated, I know one thing, I know I was never so glad of anything in my life, as that I stayed at home Christmas, and you went to Uncle Daniels. But I didn't go, said Christy, bursting into laughter.

Starting point is 07:43:30 Then they all laughed. End of Chapter 22. End of Christy's Christmas by Pansy. Thanks for listening.

Classic Audiobook Collection - Christie's Christmas by Pansy ~ Full Audiobook [religion]

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