1
00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:04,679
Speaker 1: A snow bound Christmas. Most of the occupants of the

2
00:00:04,719 --> 00:00:07,559
small room sat gazing out of the windows into the

3
00:00:07,599 --> 00:00:11,599
snow filled air. There were windows enough to go around,

4
00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:15,119
though the room was long and narrow and contained six

5
00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:18,960
or eight persons. All day they had spent together in

6
00:00:19,039 --> 00:00:23,559
this one room, each sitting quietly in his place. There

7
00:00:23,559 --> 00:00:27,559
had been but little conversation. The tall, dark man with

8
00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,239
a white mustache and tired face had slept much with

9
00:00:31,359 --> 00:00:35,840
his head resting on his folded overcoat. A boy opposite,

10
00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:39,200
who showed sullen anger and defiance in every line of

11
00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:42,320
his young face, had watched him and wondered how a

12
00:00:42,399 --> 00:00:45,719
man could sleep in the daytime. The boy did not

13
00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:49,840
know that those long, nervous white hands wielding a surgeon's

14
00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:53,479
knife had saved a life the day before, and the

15
00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:58,159
tired eyes had watched for many hours following. An earnest,

16
00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:01,359
bright faced young girl near by I had observed him too,

17
00:01:01,479 --> 00:01:04,680
while he slept, as she eyed all her neighbors with

18
00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:08,640
keen interest. There was the old lady in the corner,

19
00:01:09,359 --> 00:01:12,920
a man with sample cases piled at his side, the

20
00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,599
shabby little woman holding a big baby, and a middle

21
00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:20,640
aged man with stolid joyless countenance, who had read three

22
00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:24,400
newspapers through from beginning to end without a change of expression,

23
00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:29,200
and since then had sat staring straight before him. The girl,

24
00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,400
in her active mind had tried to combine these various

25
00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,799
personages into a story, but she gave it up with

26
00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:40,560
a little sigh. For their common placeness an ill assorted company,

27
00:01:40,599 --> 00:01:43,640
it was. Surely they would have chosen to spend the

28
00:01:43,719 --> 00:01:47,400
day before Christmas together for no other reason than, as

29
00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,799
it happened, they all wished to travel over this branch road,

30
00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:54,359
which ran between the Northern Line from Little Falls and

31
00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:58,159
the Grand Central. The day was nearly over, and the

32
00:01:58,239 --> 00:02:01,200
journey should have been, but the snow, which had been

33
00:02:01,239 --> 00:02:05,359
falling steadily since morning, grew heavier. The speed of the

34
00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:11,159
train perceptibly decreased, and the engine groaned and labored. The

35
00:02:11,199 --> 00:02:15,319
engineer watched apprehensively as they drew near a certain cut,

36
00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:19,919
narrow and deep through the hills. It was drifted high,

37
00:02:20,599 --> 00:02:25,479
and meeting that soft, still resistless opposition, the great engine

38
00:02:25,599 --> 00:02:31,879
slowed and stopped. The drifting snow hid the familiar landmarks,

39
00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:35,039
And so it happened that, just as the passengers were

40
00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,719
anxiously questioning one another, as to the cause of the

41
00:02:37,719 --> 00:02:42,520
stop in that lonely place, Jim case, the fireman, swinging

42
00:02:42,599 --> 00:02:47,000
himself off the engine, slipped over a culvert and in

43
00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:50,680
the fall of only a few feet, broke his arm

44
00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:56,000
with startling ease and completeness. He was lifted back, white

45
00:02:56,039 --> 00:02:59,599
and fainting. And when the brisk conductor hurried into the

46
00:02:59,599 --> 00:03:03,400
passage your coach, he responded to the anxious queries with

47
00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:07,599
a brief snowed up and then addressing the dark man,

48
00:03:07,719 --> 00:03:11,879
he said, I don't suppose you're a doctor, are you? Yes,

49
00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,080
said the man, with an inquiring glance. Does some one

50
00:03:15,159 --> 00:03:19,240
need me? The conductor looked relieved. Now ain't that the luck?

51
00:03:19,479 --> 00:03:24,039
Said he surgeon too, I guess. The doctor nodded assent.

52
00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,080
In a few words, the conductor told of the accident

53
00:03:28,759 --> 00:03:32,759
amid exclamations of mingled sympathy and dismay from the listeners,

54
00:03:33,319 --> 00:03:35,800
And as the doctor picked up his small black bag

55
00:03:36,039 --> 00:03:39,879
and followed him into the forward car, the conductor continued,

56
00:03:40,479 --> 00:03:42,719
not many of you travel on this road, but I

57
00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:45,039
thought that was your trade when I took your ticket.

58
00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:47,680
I gave a job to a surgeon once when I

59
00:03:47,719 --> 00:03:50,360
was hurt in a wreck, That was a good while ago,

60
00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:53,039
but I have never forgot the look or the feel

61
00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,360
of his hand, so steady and strong and white, he

62
00:03:56,439 --> 00:04:00,520
added with an apologetic smile. Here we are, Jim, he

63
00:04:00,599 --> 00:04:03,840
called out cheerfully, here's the doctor and the head nurse.

64
00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:06,639
You just break your bones and we will do the rest,

65
00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,639
you know. The fireman lay stretched upon the floor, his

66
00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,919
head resting languidly on a pile of waist, and a

67
00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:17,000
pretty five year old boy, sobbing with fright, was kneeling

68
00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:21,199
close beside him. Who is this little fellow, asked doctor Carleton,

69
00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,040
after the examination was over and he was skillfully bandaging

70
00:04:25,079 --> 00:04:28,920
the injured arm. He's mine, poor little Chap, said the

71
00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:32,160
fireman with a tender glance, though his lips were white

72
00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,720
with pain. The boy, who was a sturdy little fellow

73
00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,680
just out of dresses, stopped his sobs when he heard

74
00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:42,279
his father's voice, and, looking up at the doctor, asked,

75
00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,199
now will we go to Grandma's and have a Christmas?

76
00:04:46,399 --> 00:04:50,199
The man winced again and closed his eyes, and the

77
00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:55,360
conductor explained in a kindly aside, little Chap's mother is dead,

78
00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:59,439
just buried her a week ago. She had him filled

79
00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:01,920
up choke full of Christmas and seems as if he

80
00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,519
couldn't give it up. They're goin on to Jim's mother's.

81
00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,360
She's going to take care o Jamie, and I guess

82
00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:12,240
the old lady had promised to have a tree. Jamie

83
00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:16,839
was listening eagerly and broke in forgetting his shyness. Yes,

84
00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:21,360
a Christmas tree and candles for grandma. Said so, seems

85
00:05:21,399 --> 00:05:23,560
as if that's all he thinks of, said the fireman

86
00:05:24,079 --> 00:05:27,439
is poor mother. She and he stopped and closed his

87
00:05:27,519 --> 00:05:32,120
eyes again. Shall we go, now, insisted Jamie. You said

88
00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:35,879
we'd get there the night before Christmas. Now, young fellow,

89
00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,480
broke in the conductor. You know this is road luck.

90
00:05:38,879 --> 00:05:40,959
You're a railroad man and must learn to keep a

91
00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,040
stiff upper lip when things go wrong. Brace up an

92
00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,800
let that tree wait a day or so. But Jamie's

93
00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:52,560
sobs broke out afresh. Fireman Jim's head turned languidly away.

94
00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:55,839
I should think some of those women might know what

95
00:05:55,959 --> 00:05:59,639
to do for the boy, said the conductor. The doctor nodded,

96
00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,959
take him away and have him amused, if you can,

97
00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,399
said he he troubles his father. He ought to have

98
00:06:06,439 --> 00:06:10,720
something to eat. The doctor hesitated and then added, though

99
00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,519
I suppose it does no good to say so, Have

100
00:06:13,639 --> 00:06:16,199
you anything any way of making a cup of tea

101
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:21,000
or any beef extract? Do you go prepared for these emergencies?

102
00:06:22,199 --> 00:06:25,680
The conductor shook his head. I'm afraid not, said he

103
00:06:26,399 --> 00:06:29,360
unless some of the passengers might have something left from lunch.

104
00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:32,399
We were due in at five thirty, you know, and

105
00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:36,759
we get our supper in town. Well you might inquire,

106
00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:39,399
said the doctor. He would feel better after having a

107
00:06:39,399 --> 00:06:43,879
bit of something. So the conductor, carrying the crying Jamie,

108
00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,360
went back to the passenger car. He found the young

109
00:06:47,439 --> 00:06:50,439
girl the center of what seemed almost a social circle.

110
00:06:51,319 --> 00:06:54,519
The good natured baby, who had been drowsily nodding, was

111
00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,959
sound asleep in one of the farthest seats, as content

112
00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,399
as a veteran traveler in a pullman's stay room, while

113
00:07:01,439 --> 00:07:04,600
his mother sat shyly on the outskirts of the little company.

114
00:07:05,639 --> 00:07:09,399
The traveling man's sample cases, covered with a napkin, formed

115
00:07:09,399 --> 00:07:13,319
an improvised table, and upon this the stock of eatables

116
00:07:13,399 --> 00:07:17,680
was being spread. Well, anyhow, we sha'n't be starved, the

117
00:07:17,759 --> 00:07:21,920
old lady said that there basket, pointing to a huge

118
00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,160
covered wicker is full of fixin's. I was taken to

119
00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:29,079
John's folks. I expect it won't seem so like Christmas

120
00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:31,720
to the children if they don't have them leaf cookies

121
00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,879
and the gingerbread animals. And they are good, if I

122
00:07:34,959 --> 00:07:37,920
do say it, that oughtn't. But I'm sure I never

123
00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,000
thought when I was bakin' em that they would save

124
00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,600
our lives. We'll hope they need not do quite so

125
00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,279
much for us, laughed the pretty girl, whose name on

126
00:07:46,399 --> 00:07:49,920
the one modest trunk in the rear car was D. M. Marsh.

127
00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,360
But we'll not touch the children's cookies unless we are

128
00:07:53,399 --> 00:07:57,120
starved into such robbery. How glad I am? My aunt

129
00:07:57,199 --> 00:08:00,160
Mary made me take this great box of luncheon. I

130
00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,319
hardly made an impression on it this noon. And she

131
00:08:03,439 --> 00:08:07,040
brought out an unopened jar of pressed chicken. This will

132
00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,800
be our Christmas turkey, she announced. Isn't there some way

133
00:08:10,839 --> 00:08:13,839
of melting that down into soup? Asked the conductor, who

134
00:08:13,879 --> 00:08:17,319
came in at just this point. How is the injured man?

135
00:08:17,439 --> 00:08:21,079
Inquired the commercial traveler, while the old lady held out

136
00:08:21,079 --> 00:08:25,000
her motherly arms for Jamie as she said, you, poor lamb.

137
00:08:25,279 --> 00:08:28,639
Is it his paw that's killed. He's all right, said

138
00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,839
Conductor Brooks. Only his arm is broken and he's knocked

139
00:08:31,879 --> 00:08:35,480
out and faint. The doctor was asking for some soup

140
00:08:35,639 --> 00:08:38,360
or something to brace him a little. If that was

141
00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:42,080
chicken broth, now it would just fit. Why we can

142
00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:45,039
make broth in just a few minutes, said miss marsh

143
00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:47,080
And in a moment she had brought from her trunk

144
00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,120
a pretty chafing dish and lighted it, the old lady

145
00:08:50,159 --> 00:08:55,039
nodding approval. Alcohol too, the girl said, laughing, left over

146
00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:58,679
from the last oyster spread at college. The lamp was

147
00:08:58,759 --> 00:09:01,759
quickly adjusted and into the bright pan went part of

148
00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,639
the jellied chicken. It's a privilege now a days to

149
00:09:05,639 --> 00:09:08,240
see a young girl know something about cooking, said the

150
00:09:08,279 --> 00:09:12,720
old lady, while the stolid faced man silently proffered a match,

151
00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,200
and Jamie stopped crying to taste the broth, when an

152
00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:21,120
appetizing odor began to diffuse through the car. During all

153
00:09:21,159 --> 00:09:24,679
that had passed, the boy had hardly left his dark corner.

154
00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,559
He did not wish to talk. It was nobody's business

155
00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:30,799
where he was going, and some one would be sure

156
00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,639
to ask. But he looked on and thought, how bright

157
00:09:34,759 --> 00:09:38,600
and quick and pleasant, the girl was. When the broth

158
00:09:38,759 --> 00:09:42,279
was sent to Jim and the doctor returned. The remainder

159
00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:45,120
of Aunt Mary's bread and butter and pickles was spread,

160
00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:49,840
with various additions from the other's lunch baskets. Part was

161
00:09:49,919 --> 00:09:53,799
reserved for breakfast, and the little group, whose common misfortune

162
00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:58,080
had thawed all reserve supped together merrily, if not bountifully.

163
00:09:59,159 --> 00:10:03,480
The boy declined all but a single sandwich. He was hungry,

164
00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:07,120
but the angry, defiant pride which had hardened his face

165
00:10:07,159 --> 00:10:10,519
all day, melted somewhat, and he felt less like eating.

166
00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,440
And tomorrow is Christmas, said the traveling man, whose name

167
00:10:15,519 --> 00:10:19,000
was Osgoode. I've worked like two men to get through

168
00:10:19,039 --> 00:10:20,639
so as to have that day at home with the

169
00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:22,919
wife and babies. And it is hard to be stalled

170
00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:27,000
up so near. And there's my son John and Milly

171
00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,879
and the children. I haven't missed a Christmas with them

172
00:10:29,919 --> 00:10:33,159
since John was married. They all come to me Thanksgiving,

173
00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,120
said the old lady. But we are all alive, and

174
00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:40,600
that's a great mercy. Never mind, said Miss marsh We'll

175
00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,000
have the evening at home. But I wish I hadn't

176
00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,840
stayed with Aunt Mary until the last moment. I want

177
00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:50,840
a Christmas, sobbed Jamie, his ready tears bursting forth again.

178
00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,919
Mamma said I should have a Christmas, and Grandma's got

179
00:10:54,919 --> 00:10:59,360
a tree, and I want a Christmas again. The big

180
00:10:59,399 --> 00:11:02,200
conductor told the sad little story of the dead mother

181
00:11:02,279 --> 00:11:05,200
who had promised a happy day to her boy, and

182
00:11:05,279 --> 00:11:07,799
Miss Marsh looked steadily out of the car window a

183
00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,960
half minute while her eye brightened and a resolve formed.

184
00:11:12,399 --> 00:11:15,399
Jamie boy said, Miss Marsh, you shall have your Christmas.

185
00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:18,879
It's Christmas here, just the same as all over the world,

186
00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,519
and you shall have a real one. He looked up

187
00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:27,279
in joyful trust. And a tree, Yes, dear, a real tree,

188
00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:31,919
said the girl. The others listened in astonishment. The old

189
00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,879
lady opened her lips to remonstrate, but shut them again.

190
00:11:35,639 --> 00:11:39,919
The traveling man whistled softly and skeptically, and the doctor

191
00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:44,200
looked on amused. Only Jamie and the boy gazed at

192
00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:49,799
her with implicit confidence. When shall I have it, asked Jamie.

193
00:11:50,039 --> 00:11:54,120
Tomorrow Christmas morning, said the girl brightly. Now go to

194
00:11:54,159 --> 00:11:56,679
your Papa and go right to sleep, and in the

195
00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:01,240
morning you'll see with tears undry, but with a face

196
00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:04,519
beaming with happiness, Jamie let himself be carried away to

197
00:12:04,639 --> 00:12:08,600
his makeshift bed by his father's side. And a tree,

198
00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:15,080
he said, as the sleepy eyes closed. And candles and well,

199
00:12:15,279 --> 00:12:19,120
said mister Osgoode with a quizzical smile of doubt. But

200
00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:23,200
before Miss Marsh could reply, the boy said briefly, I'll

201
00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,399
get it. I saw him before it got dark. He

202
00:12:26,519 --> 00:12:30,039
was already buttoning his coat and seizing the red handled

203
00:12:30,039 --> 00:12:32,840
axe that hung near the stove. He bravely leaped out

204
00:12:32,879 --> 00:12:37,960
into the drifts. Those little evergreens, you know, said Miss Marsh.

205
00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,559
They're just a few feet away. He can see them

206
00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,120
by the light from the windows, I think, And we

207
00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:47,200
can make it pretty somehow, she continued eagerly. Jamie such

208
00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:50,200
a little lad, and Christmas means so much to him.

209
00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,639
Mister Osgoode nodded. But what's going to be on the tree,

210
00:12:54,879 --> 00:12:58,759
asked the practical old lady. It's all foolishness, go into

211
00:12:58,799 --> 00:13:02,279
so much trouble for that one child. An we at tremblin',

212
00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,679
you might say, between life and death, but I declare

213
00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:07,639
for it. I hate to have the day go by

214
00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:11,399
an do nothin'. An even if we're rescued tomorrow, as

215
00:13:11,399 --> 00:13:14,559
that conductor says he thinks probable, which I don't more'n

216
00:13:14,639 --> 00:13:18,799
half believe, what with gettin home and the explainin' when

217
00:13:18,879 --> 00:13:22,000
you do get there, which please mercy, we may why

218
00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,399
the day's as good as gone. And anyhow, I've got

219
00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,440
a pair of red knit mittens for John's Alexander, and

220
00:13:28,519 --> 00:13:30,720
I'm going to give 'em to that poor motherless lamb,

221
00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,159
and you can hang 'em on the tree. For one thing,

222
00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,519
Miss Marsh splendid, said Miss Marsh, and I have a

223
00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:40,080
red skating cap in my satchel. I believe it will

224
00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:43,519
just fit him. Is he too small for a knife?

225
00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:47,879
Asked mister Osgoode. Let's see about five? Isn't he My

226
00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,679
wife makes six the knife line. I guess i'd better not,

227
00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:54,240
and he returned it to his pocket. Oh hold on,

228
00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:58,679
said he, with sudden inspiration. I've got some illustrated catalogs

229
00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,600
here that could pass for picks. Yes, and cards too,

230
00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:06,360
are new ones. And diving into his cases, he brought

231
00:14:06,399 --> 00:14:10,720
out a pile of brilliant pictures. Will miss Santa Claus

232
00:14:10,799 --> 00:14:16,320
accept this, asked Doctor Carleton, offering a pocket microscope. Just

233
00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:19,559
then the door opened, and the boy came in, dragging

234
00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:25,720
triumphantly a small evergreen. Everyone laughed excitedly, and it did

235
00:14:25,759 --> 00:14:29,759
begin to seem something like as the old lady said then,

236
00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,919
how they worked. The tree was braced firmly at the

237
00:14:33,039 --> 00:14:35,639
end of the aisle, the lumps of ice and snow

238
00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:39,399
shaken off, and a more durable quality of soft cotton

239
00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:44,799
flakes from Doctor Carleton's surgical stores added leaf cookies and

240
00:14:44,919 --> 00:14:50,000
astonishing gingerbread animals dangled from the branches, and Alexander's red

241
00:14:50,039 --> 00:14:54,080
mittens waved in welcome. Even the man of the immovable

242
00:14:54,159 --> 00:14:57,720
visage helped with something like a softening of his hard features,

243
00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:01,240
and when he fastened to the brandch a red blank

244
00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:06,840
book and pocket pencil, there was an outburst of laughing applause. Meanwhile,

245
00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:11,000
doctor Carleton talked quietly with the shabby little woman. He

246
00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:14,840
had asked about the baby's teething, and she unconsciously gave

247
00:15:14,919 --> 00:15:18,559
him much of her simple story. Her husband had lost

248
00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:20,759
his place in the little town where they had lived.

249
00:15:21,519 --> 00:15:23,639
He had found work in the city, and she was

250
00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:27,600
going to meet him. They had no folks. She worked

251
00:15:27,639 --> 00:15:31,039
in a factory before she was married. No the baby

252
00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:34,240
hadn't cut any teeth yet. She hoped he wouldn't fuss

253
00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:36,519
or be sick about it when the teeth came. She

254
00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:40,480
didn't know much about babies. The doctor listened with sympathy,

255
00:15:40,759 --> 00:15:43,399
and a little later, wrapping a bright gold piece in

256
00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,720
a bit of paper, he marked it for baby Burns

257
00:15:46,759 --> 00:15:48,840
to cut his teeth on, and it was added to

258
00:15:48,879 --> 00:15:52,480
the tree. The boy looked on with a dull ache

259
00:15:52,559 --> 00:15:55,240
in his throat. He hoped it was not going to

260
00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:58,799
be sore. How sick he had been with those bad throats,

261
00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:02,919
and how good m there always was. Mother was filling

262
00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:06,799
the children's stockings at home. Now, she always managed to

263
00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:11,320
have something for them somehow, poor mother, she would have

264
00:16:11,399 --> 00:16:14,919
it all to bear alone. Now, how could he leave her?

265
00:16:15,639 --> 00:16:19,000
Why didn't he think of her part? But I won't

266
00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,159
go back, he said to himself. I can't go back now.

267
00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,399
I'll come back home rich some day and give mother

268
00:16:26,559 --> 00:16:31,720
everything she wants. But I won't sneak back now. Then

269
00:16:31,759 --> 00:16:34,840
he didn't care to think any more. I can make

270
00:16:34,879 --> 00:16:37,360
a top, he whispered to Miss Marsh. If I have

271
00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,720
a piece of wood, shall I He would like that

272
00:16:40,799 --> 00:16:44,039
best of all I know, said Miss Marsh. Heartily. Then

273
00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:46,799
she added aloud, now we must have a star for

274
00:16:46,879 --> 00:16:50,399
the top. What can we do about it? Well, I

275
00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,159
guess it's good enough, said the old lady. I guess

276
00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:56,519
he won't miss a star. But the girl looked from

277
00:16:56,559 --> 00:17:00,879
one to another in a perplexed appeal. Why must there

278
00:17:00,879 --> 00:17:05,319
be a star, asked the boy shyly. Miss marsh hesitated

279
00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:09,000
a moment. She did not know much about boys, this

280
00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:13,799
brotherless college girl, but she said, almost as shyly as he,

281
00:17:15,279 --> 00:17:18,079
don't you think the Christmas Star is the most beautiful

282
00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:21,759
thing in the world. You know, the christ Child was

283
00:17:21,799 --> 00:17:25,240
born beneath a star, And I think it meant for

284
00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:29,039
one thing, that for every new life, there is a

285
00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:33,119
star set in heaven that will light that life all

286
00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,839
the way if once we catch a glimpse of it

287
00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:40,359
and know it is there for us. The boy listened breathless.

288
00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,279
He could not have told just what the girl's words meant,

289
00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,839
but the moral courage that all that day had been

290
00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:51,640
struggling to live took new strength and began to shape

291
00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:56,119
itself into a resolution. They stood looking at each other

292
00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:59,960
when the traveling man, who was down again in his cases,

293
00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:04,400
emerged in triumph, waving some tinfoil cut out the star

294
00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:07,559
from that pasteboard box, he cried, and here's the glory

295
00:18:07,599 --> 00:18:12,799
for it. We can't stop short of perfection in this tree. Well,

296
00:18:12,839 --> 00:18:16,279
I'm blessed, said Conductor Brooks, staring at the sight when

297
00:18:16,319 --> 00:18:19,119
he came in a little later. Where do you folks

298
00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:23,319
think you are at a Sunday school festival? Never you

299
00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,519
mind where we be, said the old lady. Her bonnet

300
00:18:26,559 --> 00:18:30,000
was awry and her spectacles on her forehead. You just

301
00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:32,480
help hist up that star and then we're all done.

302
00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:39,559
Christmas morning, Jamie woke up, round eyed and expectant. I

303
00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:43,000
want my tree, he said, And I want my breakfast,

304
00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:47,119
And as the waiting holiday makers were as impatient as he,

305
00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,680
the breakfast was hurried through, and then they all filed in,

306
00:18:51,279 --> 00:18:55,720
Jamie in Conductor Brooks's arms, his father, who was doing bravely,

307
00:18:56,119 --> 00:19:00,759
coming behind, followed by the engineer. Jamie gazed at the

308
00:19:00,799 --> 00:19:04,279
tree as if dazed by his surprise, but after the

309
00:19:04,319 --> 00:19:08,160
first moment, a smile of radiant, ecstatic joy spread over

310
00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:12,559
the round baby face. Not a word or sound, only

311
00:19:12,599 --> 00:19:18,079
that beaming, blissful smile. It was irresistible, and with shouts

312
00:19:18,079 --> 00:19:21,160
of laughter, the tree was despoiled of its offerings, and

313
00:19:21,319 --> 00:19:25,319
Jamie's cup of happiness was full. In the midst of

314
00:19:25,319 --> 00:19:29,440
the merriment, Miss Marsh glanced at the boy. He was

315
00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:33,279
gazing at the star with a curious expression, and she

316
00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:37,400
thought of their words. The night before. In her bodice

317
00:19:37,519 --> 00:19:40,799
was thrust a pin whose head was a tiny golden star,

318
00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:45,640
the badge of her class society. She drew it out,

319
00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:48,279
and pressing it into one of the leaf cookies which

320
00:19:48,279 --> 00:19:51,160
were being passed about, she handed it to him with

321
00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:55,759
a whispered Merry Christmas. He saw it, and there was

322
00:19:55,799 --> 00:19:59,200
a quick rush of color to his face and tears

323
00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:02,799
to his eyes. And that little star weighed down the

324
00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:05,720
balance of decision on the right side and made a

325
00:20:05,759 --> 00:20:10,160
man of him. But the girl never knew. When the

326
00:20:10,279 --> 00:20:14,279
laughing talk had quieted a little, Jamie turned confidently to

327
00:20:14,319 --> 00:20:19,880
Miss Marsh. Now the story. He said, what story, Laddie,

328
00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:24,720
She asked, the Christmas story. Mamma said, there was a

329
00:20:24,799 --> 00:20:27,880
Christmas story, and she saved it up for Christmas Day.

330
00:20:29,079 --> 00:20:33,240
Is the nicest story I ever heard, Mamma said. Every

331
00:20:33,279 --> 00:20:36,799
one was still for a moment. Poor Jim turned away.

332
00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,559
She would have made a good man of him was

333
00:20:39,599 --> 00:20:42,960
the thought in his heart. The girl felt her own

334
00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:46,720
heart beat quickly. Could she before all these strange people,

335
00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:51,519
what would they think? No, she couldn't. She would have

336
00:20:51,519 --> 00:20:53,920
a chance to talk to Jamie alone before the day

337
00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:57,559
was over. That would be much better. But the childish

338
00:20:57,559 --> 00:21:01,640
eyes were gazing expectantly into hers, and with the swift

339
00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:04,400
thought of the dead mother, she lifted the little boy

340
00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:08,240
gently to her knee, and, with softly flushing cheeks and

341
00:21:08,279 --> 00:21:12,799
a voice that trembled a little, she began long ago

342
00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:16,400
in a beautiful country over the sea. There were shepherds

343
00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,759
in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

344
00:21:21,519 --> 00:21:24,400
The sweet voice grew stronger as the simple words of

345
00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:28,920
the wonderful story held the listeners in solemn silence. The

346
00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:32,279
little woman's tears dropped on her baby's head as she

347
00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:34,480
heard of the mother for whom there was no room

348
00:21:34,519 --> 00:21:38,319
in the inn, and a vague, trembling prayer went up

349
00:21:38,319 --> 00:21:41,160
from her burdened heart to the Christ who was a child.

350
00:21:42,799 --> 00:21:45,359
The boy's eyes shone with a new light as he

351
00:21:45,440 --> 00:21:48,319
thought of the star set in heaven for the Christ

352
00:21:48,319 --> 00:21:51,160
who was a boy, and with a thrill of newly

353
00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:55,720
awakened love, and appreciation. He placed his own weary, hard

354
00:21:55,759 --> 00:22:00,440
worked mother on her throne in her boy's heart. There

355
00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,920
were eloquent sermons preached in the churches that Christmas Day,

356
00:22:04,519 --> 00:22:08,720
and wonderful music was sung. But as truly as in

357
00:22:08,839 --> 00:22:12,960
his visible temples, Christ was preached and worshiped about that

358
00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:17,079
little tree whose balsam breath went up as frankincense and myrrh.

359
00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:21,559
A little later in the day, after the relief had

360
00:22:21,599 --> 00:22:25,319
come and the train pulled into the city station, the

361
00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:28,720
Christmas party stopped a moment for the last hand shakings

362
00:22:28,759 --> 00:22:33,240
and farewells. Twenty four hours before they would have parted

363
00:22:33,279 --> 00:22:37,039
with scarcely a glance at one another. Now they seemed

364
00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:42,480
old friends. The busy doctor hurried away first, followed by

365
00:22:42,519 --> 00:22:46,519
a long grateful look from the baby's mother. I'll never

366
00:22:46,559 --> 00:22:50,119
forget it of him, she thought. The boy took a

367
00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:53,640
step towards Miss marsh One of her hands was tight

368
00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,559
in Jamie's chubby clasp, the other was held in the

369
00:22:56,599 --> 00:23:01,039
old ladies. He looked a moment, then turned with a

370
00:23:01,079 --> 00:23:05,240
resolute face and walked to the ticket office. Gimme a

371
00:23:05,279 --> 00:23:08,079
ticket on the first train that goes back to Little Falls,

372
00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:14,640
he said, end of a snow Bound Christmas by Francis

373
00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:15,440
Cole Burr