A Shiloh Christmas: Chapter 4} { December 21st, 1899}
There, I finished the last batch of cookies for today. Those look delicious, Betsy. I'm sure everyone will love them, especially the boys from the orphanage. Well, I enjoyed making them. It's after four now so I'd better go get ready for the dance. Are you coming too? I'd like to, but I've got some last minute things to do. You and the boys have fun,though. We will,Daddy. If I know Trampas, he'll get a dozen girls to dance with him tonight. I'm sure he will. Meanwhile, down at the bunkhouse the boys were getting ready for the dance as well. Exactly how long have they been havin this dance,boss? For as long as I've been here,Randy. And probably before that,too. But it's a lot of fun. You'll like it. I'm sure I will. And don't forget to bring your guitar along. I sure won't. Somebody's knockin on the door. I'llgo see who it is,Randy. Hello,Betsy. Is it alright for me to come in? Sure,honey, come on in. Randy, do you know any Christmas songs? I reckon I know a few. Why? Everybody at the dance just might want us to sing one. Is that alright? It's fine by me,Betsy. Which ones are you familiar with? Do you know Go Tell It on the Mountain? Yes, I've sung that one since I was little, Randy. But we'd better pick out another one we both know in case they want us to sing another one. How about Away in A Manger? I know that one,too. Do you know Silent Night? I earned it in school when I lived with my ma and pa. Those ones will be just fine,then. They're favorites with just about everybody around here. Now if you boys are ready, we'd better be getting along so we won't be late. I've got the surrey hitched up outside,Betsy. Come on, everybody. And it was'nt long until they were on the road to town. I've always loved this time of year,Randy. Christmas is such a joyful time. It sure is, Betsy. Ma and Pa did'nt have much, but they always did somethin for Christmas. I remember one year Pa carved a little horse out of wood and I found it in my stocking Christmas mornin. And he'd always go into the woods and fetch us a tree. Did he ever take you on those trips? He did, right up to the last Christmas I had with him. My daddy did the same thing when I was little. And our cook always baked delicious cookies and pies for Christmas. My ma and grandma always baked up a storm for Christmas. I can still recollect my ma's apple stack cake and how good it tasted. That sounds delicious. And I remember her singin all the time while she baked. She's the one that taught me that song I asked you about. Go Tell It on the Mountain? That's the one. You must miss her very much. Sometimes I do. But not as much as before when I was driftin. That's good. At least you you got a chance to know your mother. Because sometimes I wish mine could have lived long enough for me to know her. Well, it looks like we're here. There sure are a lot of people. There's always this many every year. Let me help you down, Betsy. Thank you, Randy. we'd better go on in before it starts. It's going to be a wonderful evening.