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Show Extend Cheerful Christmas Greeting Twenty - One Miles to Christmas First Prize Winning Story By Lucille Schow room she was leaving. This room was a border line in her experience, a last dreary outpost of the world she had known (Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. for twenty four years. She did Reuben J. Sehowl not know what lay beyond it. smiling fate was Thats him maam! said the Curt Yaegersmore mere than little old man behind the shab- something and it gave her a feelThat there's politeness by hotel desk. ing of satisfaction. The man inCurt Yaeger! troduced himself. The young school teacher who I My name is Curt Yaeger. had been waiting, got up quickbelieve I'm to take you up to the ly and followed the hotel keeper to the door. She had just Bay ranch. Fredda "Yes, my name is about had enough of this cold Grayson. country already. Outside in the deep Young Yaeger helped Fredda ruts, a heavy, plodding into the wagon. She nodded forHe team and a creaking wagon had mally to the hotel keeper. come to a halt. A young man, called after Merry them, bulky in a sheep-skicoat, Christmas to you both! There! She had not escaped it leaped down over the wheel and tied his team to the hitching after all. No matter where you post. As she clostd the door, she went, among what strangers, turned to look back at the dingy they still flung it into your face snow-packe- the meaningless empty, "Merry Christmas! greeting, Fredda had not responded. Curt wondered within himself what could be the girls feelings toward Christmas. Quietly they lurched up the street, past the Trading Post, past Whitneys place, then the and finally the depot, where they crossed the tracks and were in the country. Fredda thought how strange it was to be running away from Christmas; she would be running away from it all the rest from its of her lifp; running memories. It had always seemed to her that Christmas was something which each one made for himself out of faith and joy and the love and hope that were in his heart. And when these were gone, how could there be a Christmas? Well, they were they were gone for her. They had been gone ever since the single paralyzing moment that it had taken for her to realize that Micky was dead. Dead! On Christmas day. Struck down and killed on his way to deliver a gift. And Micky was all she ever had. Her life had been centered around that boy. She wondered how she would get through post-offic- e We hope you have a very MERRY' CHRISTMAS u(Hi)i GteClai filled with all the Joy and Happiness traditional with the Yuletide season. yov Let the blessedness of giving and the goodness of sharing that is with us during the holiday season, "WALK A BLOC KoW SAVE " If 0 mL stay with us long after Christmas Day is over. CONTfVrVIt Nvm.gi,y, f ,V BROWN'S Shoe Hospital MAIN Charles T. and Charles D. Brown tomorrow, with all those vivid memories of her kid brother. If only people would let her alone. If only they would forget to say, Merry Christmas! As they jogged along, Fredmind came upon the little school hidden up here in Wyoming at the foot of the Rockies. What a ready-madrefuge it was. Her heart warmed thinking of it. das e Soon the Jamison place came into view; they had been riding for nearly four hours. It had taken longer than usual to make the trip because there was an extra amount of mail. Fredda was not only hungry, but colder than she had ever been before. As they approached the place, a mildle-ageman opened the wire gate and told them that dinner was ready. Boiled potaham and toes, home-cureNothing had ever tasted better to Fredda. When they were ready to leave, the obese Mrs. Jamison handed Fredda a package. She untied the string and let the wrapping fall back. There lay a small neat pair of high topped overshoes, a thick woolly red scarf, and a pair of doeskin mittens lined with rabbit fur. Fredda thanked Mrs. Jamison with sincerity. As they started out on the cold journey once again, Fredda wondered if she would be able to endure the 14 long miles ahead. Quietly she put on the overshoes and scarf and as she put the last mitten on, she looked inquiringly up at her companion. He surprised her by saying, Gold, frankincense and myrrh. By 3 o'clock they had put seven more miles behind them. It grew steadily colder and a bit foggy. A small sound escaped Curts lips. It was almost like a groan. He pointed to where a dark, swift moving figure came toward them. That'e Signe Lundstrom coming for her mail. Her folks live in Sw'eden and she only gets a letter about every three weeks. The last letter she got said her mother was desperately sick. Somehow, I'm afraid this isn't GfikUtntaL milk-grav- and Mrs. James say Merry Christmas North Second East street. . . . in A. Brown bright colored lights l everyone passing t heir home fort she pulled herself to a sitting position, but numbness ot her limbs pulled her down Brigham City, Utah again. Again she heard the cry. Like a sleep walker she got to 'Friday, (December 25, 1953 her feet. She knew the child that way crying was Davey. She inyapping of a dog ami the moved slowly along the manger sistent shouting of a man. It was to the door. She (lulled the Jim Aired. He rode up and wooden that held it and the pin shouted, "Did you meet Davey? raving wind snatched the door Hes out here somewhere." wide open. She remembeied Man alive! That little kid out Curt's warning, Dont go outin this? shouted Curt. side the door. Her weary Fredda waited. the mind refused to accept Never mind that. She had to else go. She'd had no chance to save thought that anything could happen to delay this te- Micky, but in Ibis ease there v. as dious journey; surely they had a chance, a slim one, but that had enough for one day Again was enough. Stic staited forward Curt shouted something. screaming, Davey, Im coming! How longs he been gone? Instantly shp was fighting, said Dont know for sure. Jim. We thought maybe he was gasping, stumbling. One minute between the ranch and the the wind forced her to her hands schoolhouse, but he must have and knees, the next it threw her cut under the fence. If he out of her line of direction. How had she ever thought to locate has There was no need to finish, Davey? It had been madness to her puny all three new he had, or else think of putting Curt and Fredda would have met strength, her poor blind courage him. Hurriedly they drove back against this ruthless, savage to the school barn. Curt made a beast, Wyoming. Hot rebellion in her heart at the news. light and then turned to Fredda. swelled up good She hated this country. thought. I to hate leave you here, he Curt reached down for the letter and handed it to Signe. She said. Its a deuce of a way to Her heart leaped with violence wrenched the envelope 'open treat you, but well have to lo- as her foot struck something in with heavy blunt fingers. It was cate that kid. Fight all the signs the darkness. terrible to see how she reacted of sleepiness and dont step outOn her knees, with the small at the words. Terrible! Fredda side the door." limp body in her arms, Fredda Fredda thought, no wonder the threw back her head. She had and Curt didnt want to look at her but somehow they couldnt people love this man. In every found him. She had saved him. help it. Slowly Signe raised her line of his face and figure were Her reactions were suddenly pale face and all she said was, stamped dependability, patience changed, for now she was burstIss gone. and priceless value. Suddenly a ing with joy. The wind, the cold, With hurried steps Signe dizzy question struck her. What the tedious hours had nothing started back towards her home. if he shouldnt return. Evidently to do with her new outlook on Fredda knew the way she felt. they were thinking the same life. She started back toward She had felt the same just one thing, and Curt put out his the barn, but found that she was year ago. Quickly Fredda step- hands and caught Fredda by the too weak to move. After that she ped from the wagon and ran wrists. He assurred her that he did not try to move. It was wonafter her. After a few consoling would come back safe. derfully sweet (ust to lie still moments together, Fredda came Jim came in and Curt gave with her arms holding a small back to the wagon with tears in him some final and useful in- bundle which brought comfort her eyes. Now every memory structions. Fredda was listening to her heart. was brought back to her and she attentatively. Then the men The storm seased. The star cried continuously. were gone. Weak with exhaus- which Fredda had been watchThey had seven more miles to tion, and dazed, Fredda stood ing drew nearer. It shone over go. It seemed to Freeda, as the bracing herself against the where Davey lay. In its light wagon crept on toward its des- closed door, fighting off waves tination, that even Divinity must of faintness. For one instance have lost sight of them by now, the mad throbbing of her heart that their identity must be blot- was one with the lashing of the ted out in the immensity of storm, then she stumbled forspace and the furry of the on- ward and sank half fainting to coming storm. Suddenly with a the floor. Dizzily she lay there thick fierceness it began to snow. concentrating on the sound outBefore Fredda had time to col- side. This was the third time lect her thoughts, the wind rush- she had heard it and she ed down and swept off the tar- thought it was the small wail of paulin from the wagin. Out of a child crying out in confusion the tumult came the excited and fear. With tremendous ef 11 Box Elder JOURNAL Fredda soles, saw gather Jim. Hie shaking with bov anus. Then she thought ill ot Is is the Christ Child who was bom in a manger and how the .shepherds and wise men must have lelt when they saw him King there. Her heart warmed. Then she saw Curt, and the sight of him brought her comHe lifted plete consciousness. her up with tenderne-s- . Curt cried brokenly and hear his shaking frost scancd lips to her cheek. Even though she was Ireeing and cold and hungiy. she possessed every happiness in the world. Chris! nr as came bank to hoi w it h ils faith and jov, love and hope. HORSLEY'S LcGrande and Dorial Horsley Sarah Mathias ... Qreat is the spirit of Christmas that brings to every heart-Pea- ce, Will. ..and Love towards all mankind. May you enjoy the full blessings of the Yuletide Season. i Jw Many are the joys that come ' K y The joy in wishing you a Merry Christmas can only be equaled in the a h pleasure of voicing our hope for your happi- ness and good health during the coming new year. with the Holiday Season but none could be more pleasant than to greet our many friends with wish for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. SMORGASBORD ALL DAY EVERTON Andersen's - Ford, Inc. 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