Christmas in the Old Log Cabin. 



not on the. slip." "Well, father, I am glad you did, for it will 

 keep me busy to get ready for our Christmas company." 



"Mother," said our father, "it was snowing when I came 

 in, and I am afraid, from the looks, that we will have a stormy 

 Christmas day ; but I hope it will not be bad enough to keep 

 our company from coming, for I know if there is anything you 

 enjoy more than cooking a good dinner it is to see your friends 

 and dear ones enjoy the eating of it." 



A shadow passed over mother's face at the thought of such 

 a disappointment. For this day we had pared, peeled, chopped 

 and ground, and picked feathers, and we had lived in happy 

 anticipation of this annual gathering for a whole year. Rail- 

 roads were few and far between and market towns a long dis- 

 tance from our pioneer home in those days. Settlers lived long 

 distances apart and could not avail themselves of "holiday 

 rates" and whirl away down the valley fifty or a hundred miles 

 to visit friends or relatives. But once a year we would all get 

 together at some home, and what a grand meeting it was for 

 everyone who was able to go ! 



Our last Christmas morning in the old log cabin dawned 

 clear and cold. Just enough snow had fallen during the night 

 to make the sleighing fine. We little folk could hardly wait 

 for the first ox team to appear, and it was half way to noon 

 before the first one came in sight around the turn in the road. 

 By half past eleven o'clock the last tired team was in the barn 

 and the men were chatting before the fireplace in the spare 

 room. The women visitors were helping with the dinner. The 

 clatter of tongues and dishes were harmonious, and many a 

 good story and bit of gentle gossip was followed by merry peals 

 of laughter. 



In those days there was no social distinction in the little 

 pioneer settlement. Everyone co-operated with his neighbor 

 in everything undertaken in the settlement. No building was 

 ever erected but by a joint effort of the neighborhood, nor 

 did a family fail to enter into the plans and hopes of all the 



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