A Shiloh Christmas: Chapter 10 [December 24th, 1899]
I can't believe its Christmas Eve already, Daddy. Neither can I, Betsy. The presents are wrapped and my baking's all done. And Cookie's going to help me with dinner tomorrow. When we decorate the tree tonight the boys want to tell stories about Christmases past. That sounds like a good idea, Betsy. I'll be glad to contribute. I'm going to go ask some of the boys to carry the ornaments into the bunkhouse. Alright, Betsy. Morning, Randy. Mornin, Betsy. Could some of the boys help carry the ornaments into the bunkhouse? Sure, Betsy. Harper, Cal, could you help Betsy with the ornaments? Sure, boss. Randy and I are going to go find a tree. See you two later, then. Bye, Betsy. Goodbye, Randy. Be careful. The ornaments are in the guest room, boys. Daddy, the boys are here for the ornaments. Alright, Betsy. Put them in this corner here, boys. There, that'll be fine until tonight. Thanks for your help. You're welcome, Betsy. This place would'nt be a home without you. I just do my best. I'll see you two later. Meanwhile, in the woods Randy and the Virginian had found the perfect tree for Shiloh. I think this is the right one, don't you, Randy? It sure is, boss. Looks exactly like one my pa brought home once. Lets get it cut, then. And it was'nt long before the Virginian had the tree chopped down and ready to go. Let's get this tree back to Shiloh, Randy. After we put it somewhere I've got to go out and hunt up a turkey for tomorrow. Good luck, boss. Thanks, Randy. Nice tree, you two. Thanks, Betsy. Where do you want us to put it? You can just put it in the bunkhouse. The boys have already cleared some things out of the way for it. And the tree stand is in there, too. There, its all ready for us to decorate later. Thanks for fetching it, you two. Now I've got to go hunt up a turkey for tomorrow. Good luck, Virginian. Thanks, Betsy. So long, boss. Is anything else ya need help with, Betsy? Well, I was going to go get a broom and sweep off this porch so it does'nt look so messy for tomorrow. I'll help you with that. Thanks, Randy. And it was'nt long before they were done. It looks a lot nicer than it did, does'nt it? It sure does, Betsy. Well, there's nothing more to do till tomorrow. Would you like to see the Shiloh picture album, Randy? I would'nt mind. I'll go get it and we can sit inside and look at it. And it was'nt long before Betsy returned with it. That's Shiloh when Daddy first bought it. Sure looks empty without any buildings. It seemed that way to me when I first saw it, too. This picture was taken right after the house and bunkhouse were finished. Is that you, Betsy? I was six years old when that picture was taken. Who's that man there? That's Mike O'Rourke. He was Daddy's foreman before the Virginian was. And him? That's Faraway MacPhail. He and Daddy knew each other was before I was born when this part of Wyoming was still wild. So naturally Daddy hired him. You would've liked him. He was funny and he knew a lot of things, too. Having him around was kind of like having a granpa for me and the boys. Who's that young fella there? That was Eddie. He lived here on the ranch until he moved on to another job. We were good friends being so close in age and all. He'd be a couple years older than you now. He was really nice. He never talked much about his family but I'd say he was an orphan as well. And there's Trampas and Steve and the Virginian. That one was taken right after they came home from Cuba. And there's one of you. Sure seems like a long time since I posed for that one. It sure does, Randy. Time flies by so fast. Thanks for showing em to me, Betsy. You're welcome. Speaking of time flying by, its after noon already. I'd better be starting lunch. See ya later, Betsy. Bye, Randy. Daddy, I'm going to start lunch now. Alright, Betsy. It'll be ready in a while. I'll call you when its ready.