| Show CHRISTMAS EVE EU homecoming HOME COMING MARY GRAHAM BONNER WAS so cheerful when the tin jj known crowds were left behind and the known ones appeared that was on the last part of the journey dexter lyons had been traveling till ill lily find now it was dark arid and tile the lamps on oil the little branch line train were lighted and till all tile the home conners coiners from all directions had met everyone knew everyone else on this train and tho conductor knew them all tile stove tit t the end of the train was burning almost too warmly the train joggled along tile thy I 1 li aji car was tilled filled with people bags suitcases packages of all shapes and sizes the conductor took the tick acts only as a secondary consideration ills his first interest was ln in hearing how every nao had been what they lind had been doing when scho 01 or college began utter after the holidays when the business folk must bellack be back in the cities to everyone he wished a merry christmas they had hurried so to make connections they had scrambled and pushed through the great holiday crowds hut but now they were all sure they would get home on christmas eve after they got on this train there could be no missing of connections and the conductor had promised them they would be on time out of 0 the windows occasional lights light B could be seen lu in ilie farmhouses they passed and in tile the streets of if very small villages rit every house no matter how separated arii and alone was decorated christmas readied reached everywhere it penetrated the trade of cities and reached out to the most remote places there was a general chatter going on a renewing of friendships a talk batu between n who only saw each other at this time of the year who had different interests and occupations anti and lived lit in different places but who enjoyed this annual little talk and then the engine gave a long long long whistle it was not the ordinary whistle of an engine it was the way the engine always whistled on christmas eve so BO as to carry word to the families and friends atthe little station at the end of the line that the train was doing its part to wish them a merry christmas by bringing its load of people dexter was out on the station platform oh such greetings as there were and then a rush to the different homes where liot hot suppers were spread out upon candlelit candle lit tables and where ruddy tires fires radiated their glow of cheer dexter was surrounded by his family and besides there was nancy that mude made tile the homecoming horne homi coming perfect for it gave him h hirji the hope the unspoken promise that he would hure his own own homp before long nancy would never have joined this family faintly gathering on christmas eve when dexter D ater was waa just home tf if site she had not decided that flint certain matters lie had bud taken up with her in letters were to be answered by assent oli oil noncy nancy lie told old her later it does it does mean that you say pay yes it arid and noncy nancy said that it did 1 CE 0 1926 bertern union |
