A story of a young cowboy and his Christmas gifts. |
The Christmas Dance Long ago when the West was being settled and wagon trains were headed in that direction, there was a young man everyone knew as Skippy, who dreamed of going on such a trip. Skippy was one lucky young man because he had an uncle who owned a large ranch in the western plains. Skippy had just turned twenty years old and a telegram from Uncle Buck said there was a job for him, if he was interested. Uncle Buck had arranged a job for him on a wagon train that would end close to the ranch. Skippy’s one and only prize possession was a cutting horse named Lucky. The train was scheduled to leave the first week in March. It would be a three-month trip, and Skippy would meet a lot of people, one of whom would win his heart. Her name was Lori Lee. That day in March arrived and the wagon train began its long, hard journey. There were young and old of all different types on the train. The wagon master put the train together and was Skippy’s job to ride from front to back each day. He'd help in anyway he could. He was responsible for keeping the train moving. If one wagon stopped, the train would stop and wait until all was ready and 'Wagons Ho!' again. The very first day, in about fourth wagon from the front, Skippy spotted an angel. She had gold, silky hair, a complexion the color of honey and eyes as blue as the sky. When he saw her, he stopped and tipped his hat. She smiled and said, “Hi, my name is Lori Lee.” Her name was as pretty as she was and he didn’t say anything because he couldn't remember his own name. “What’s your name?” she asked. He finally thought of it. “Skippy.” “Are your wife and family on the train?” “I have no wife, and I work for the train.” “I feel safer already.” Skippy got a foot taller in the few minutes he was sitting there. “I need to check the train. May I see you later?” “Ride back at lunch and I'll prepare something for you.” Skippy knew then he'd met the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Now as the weeks flew past, Skippy spent as much time as possible with her. He would bunk under the chuck wagon just four wagons from Lori Lee’s wagon. She was traveling with her aunt and uncle, and they were the nicest people he had ever met. In the evenings when the train had stopped for the night, they'd take walks. Skippy fell in love with her. He hoped she felt the same. She acted like she did, but he was afraid to ask. It seemed everything was going smoothly on the train, and one day Skippy realized the trip was drawing to an end. One evening on one of their walks, Skippy said, “Lori Lee, do you realize I've never asked where you and your aunt and uncle are going?” She looked at him with those beautiful eyes and he could tell that was a subject she'd rather not talk about, but finally she spoke. With a quivering lip, she said, “I get off the wagon train in a few weeks and take the train. I'll travel the rest of my trip by rail to Denver. I'm enrolled in the Denver School of Dance that begins in the fall.” Skippy’s heart broke. He looked at her and saw a tear form and start down her cheek. He knew Denver was a full, hard day's ride from his uncle’s ranch. “My aunt and uncle live there. They came to get me. That’s why I'm traveling with them.” Skippy’s heart was breaking, but he put his arms around her. “I don’t want to leave you, Lori Lee. I love you and want you to be my wife. I know Uncle Buck will sell us some land off his ranch. I want to love and take care of you the rest of my life. I'd like for us to find a church and worship Jesus and thank him for bringing us together.” After hearing all this, Lori Lee’s heart was breaking. “Please, hold me.” He held her and then, she received a kiss like none she'd ever gotten before. It was a true kiss from the heart. Lori Lee looked in Skippy’s eyes. “You don’t understand. I'm engaged to another. My family and his put us together when we were children. He's studying to be a lawyer. When he graduates, they all expect me to return and be his wife. I can't let them down.” Lori Lee grabbed Skippy’s hands and excitedly said, “Skippy, the school in Denver is having a Christmas dance on Christmas Eve. It'll start at 6:00 P.M. and last until 8:00 A.M. on Christmas morning. If you could come, we could dance the whole night and spend all night together.” She held him so tightly after she spoke. Then Skippy said, “The wagon master said that was an eight-hour ride in good weather, and with the snow it adds two hours. Lori Lee, I would love to, but I can’t promise.” She understood. “That’s okay.” "No, that’s not okay. If the lord's willing, I'll be there, snow or no snow.” The next few days were really hard for Skippy. Every day in his prayers he thanked God for Lori Lee. One such evening after supper, Skippy knelt down and prayed this prayer: Father, thank you for all you've given me. Thank you for Lori Lee and watch over her always. Help the young man she's marrying realize how special she is. Father, I don’t deserve a wife like her. I don’t think I could ever love another. Please allow what she wants and not my will, but yours will be done. Father, I look so forward to seeing your face. I don’t deserve you either, but I know you love me. I pray you don’t forget me. Forgive me when I sin . In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen. After his prayer, Skippy couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. His heart was broken. Then he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. He hadn't realized anyone else was around, but when he looked up he saw Lori Lee. He stood and they embraced and wept together. Soon Lori Lee softly said to him, “Please understand, I have to do this. I know how much you love the Jesus you were praying to. Thank you for asking him to be with me.” The day came when Lori Lee took her bags off the wagon and put them on the train for Denver. That was the saddest day in each their lives. The last thing Lori Lee said was, “I'll understand if you can’t make it to the dance.” In a few more days the wagon train reached its destination and Skippy headed to his uncle’s ranch. When he arrived, he was amazed at how large it was. It was as far as the eye could see in all directions. When he got to the ranch house, his aunt and uncle were waiting for him. It was early summer and there was a lot of work to be done. He'd receive $5.00 a week, plus room and board. That was generous pay for a ranch hand. Skippy would be one of three year-round hands that would share the bunkhouse. The other twelve hands were seasonal hands and lived off the ranch. One of Skippy’s favorite work-mates was Jabber Jaws. He never hushed up. He would complain about having nothing to complain about. His other room mate and friend was named No Neck. One evening Skippy asked No Neck how he got his name. Before he could answer, Jabber Jaws said, “Look at the old fool. He ain’t got no neck. His big, old dumb head sits right on his shoulders. If you were to tell him to haul ass, he would have to make two trips.” Skippy slipped off, he didn’t want to continue this conservation. Soon fall was upon them and all the cattle that would be sold were gone and only a few that would calf were kept for the winter. All the summer help had gone and Skippy, Jabber Jaws and No Neck were the only ones left.. Jabber Jaws was worried about his Christmas present. He wanted to make sure no one forgot him so he'd give out a few hints on what he wanted. He also let Skippy know that after the Thanksgiving meal, boss man Buck would give them their yearly wages. They got paid after the entire herd was sold. They waited for the Thanksgiving meal and payday. Jabber Jaws had figured out for Skippy just about how much he'd receive. He said that it was out of the kindness of his heart that he did that. He wouldn't do it for just anyone. No Neck said, “Yep, usually just the ones he thinks might buy him a Christmas gift. He wants chocolate. You hear, Skippy? I'm telling you so the old fool won’t have to.” “Shut up," Jabber Jaws said. "Now you've done it. I was going to give you a piece of chocolate, but not now.” Skippy slipped away once more. Thanksgiving Day came and Skippy thought how wonderful it'd be just to see Lori Lee one time. In his prayers that day he thanked God for the opportunity he had received to just be with her for those few weeks. He asked if God would watch over her and never forsake either of them. Skippy’s aunt often heard these prayers and that day she asked Skippy about Lori Lee. “She's the most beautiful girl in the whole world, and I'm afraid our life together will never be.” Skippy’s Aunt Kay gave him his wages of $225 that day and reminded him that was a mighty powerful God he was praying to and not to give up too easily. Skippy grinned and said he knew God loved him.. “Aunt Kay, she's the most special girl in the whole world and I could never deserve anyone such as her. I'm a nobody.” Aunt Kay gave him a big hug and told him he was so wrong. “Skippy, I need to take the wagon into town for supplies. It's a three-hour ride one way and an hour and half for shopping. I'd like for you to go with us this year. There's a telegraph office there and one in Denver. I thought maybe there was someone there you'd like to send a message to, someone very special you'd like to buy a gift for.” He hugged Aunt Kay. “I love you. You knew there was someone special, didn’t you?” Then he gave Aunt Kay $120 for a deposit on a spot of land. Uncle Buck had just walked up and heard this last bit of conversation. He smiled at Aunt Kay and said, “Honey, you know that ten acres of land with the big lake and all them trees?” She nodded. “If it's agreeable with you, I think we'll sell that off. I really don’t need it. Now, when we go into town I'll nail up a flyer and price it for about $120. You think we could get that for it?” Aunt Kay gave him a big hug and handed him $120. “You old softy. I know a young man looking for some land and that's his $120.” “Stick a fork in that deal, it’s done," Uncle Buck said. "When we go to town, we'll make the deed.” He gave Aunt Kay one of those looks that said, “Don’t you dare tell Skippy we just paid $500 for it the week before he arrived.” She would see to it he never found out. The day came when Uncle Buck and Aunt Kay hitched the wagon and off they went to buy supplies and make a deed over to Skippy. Jabber Jaw told Aunt Kay she could sort of point Skippy toward the chocolate candy. He may never find it on his own. Jabber Jaw would have bought some for himself, but he said it'd take a fool to blow a week's pay on chocolate. Skippy took everything he had in the world with him to town that day, not counting the land he was about to purchase. He had his horse Lucky, a buck knife and one hundred and twenty dollars with him. When they arrived in town they went to the land office and Uncle Buck made over the deed to Skippy. He went on to the telegraph office to send a telegram to Lori Lee. When they arrived, the clerk asked Uncle Buck if he had a hand named Skippy working for him. “That's me,” Skippy said. “I have a telegram for you from Denver.” He wanted to tear into it right there, but he made himself wait until he could be alone to read it. Then he told the clerk, "I'd like to reply to this." He took a piece of paper and wrote: Lori Lee, I miss you so much, and you're in my prayers each day. I want to come so badly to the Christmas Dance to see you. If it wasn’t so far I'd leave today, but I can’t. I bought something today and I pray it will end up being for us. Can’t wait to show you what it is. It's starting to get very cold here, and the snow is already two-feet deep in the high country. If God is willing, it'll take more than snow to keep me away. If I'm not at the dance before it ends, then you know I'm not coming. Hope to see you then. I love you forever and one more day. Skippy. Skippy sent his telegram and put Lori Lee’s in his pocket. He paid the clerk a quarter and went on his way. When he went in the general store, the first thing he saw was the jewelry. He'd like so much to buy Lori Lee a ring, but she already had a ring--an engagement ring from someone else. But he did see the most beautiful gold bracelet with diamonds all around. It had a price of $50. He wanted it so badly for Lori Lee, but people would think he was crazy to blow ten weeks' pay on a girl who was engaged to marry another. It was as beautiful as she was and he had to have it. He picked it up, then saw the most magnificent gold watch. He picked that up too and marveled at both of them. The storekeeper said, “Should I wrap them for you, sir?” “No, sir," Skippy said sadly. "I don’t have enough money for them. I could buy the bracelet, but I haven't enough for the watch.” “Yes you do, Skippy," Aunt Kay said. "It'd take about all you have and I know it's all the annual wages you have left, but you deserve something for yourself. The bracelet would make a fine gift. If you have an emergency, Uncle Buck and I will help you.” But Skippy said, “Aunt Kay, $25 of this money goes for the Lord’s work. It's all his, but at least $25 is his portion.” “Skippy, you’re so much like Mr. Fuller the storekeeper,” his aunt told him. “I don’t understand.” “Mr. Fuller not only runs the general store, he also keeps the church doors open here in town. If not for him, it'd be boarded up. Now, as if that's not enough, he also sees to it that every child has a small bag of hard candy on Christmas morning.” Then the strangest thing happened. Skippy said, “Mr. Fuller, will you accept this $25 to go toward the church and the candy? Then I want the bracelet for $50. Do you have chocolate?” “Yes.” “I need seventy-five cents worth in two boxes evenly split, please.” Then he whispered to him, “Please wrap one silk scarf for Aunt Kay and one handkerchief for Uncle Buck too.” Skippy cleared his throat and said, “Would you figure my bill?” “Son, thank you for your kindness," Mr. Fuller said. "If you want me to add the $25 for the church, the total will be $80.” That left $40 for Skippy. He gave him the money and Mr. Fuller said, “Don’t you want the watch?” Very softly Skippy said, “I only have $40. It cost $50.” “Son, that watch is on sale for $40, I think. Shall I wrap it?” Excitedly Skippy said, “No, I'll wear it, if I may?” Mr. Fuller handed over the watch and Skippy gave him all the money he had in his pocket. The next payday was a year off. Skippy didn’t care. The people he cared for the most got something. He had given God 10% of his pay. He bought Lori Lee a gold bracelet, and he bought Uncle Buck and Aunt Kay a handkerchief and scarf. And even Jabber Jaw and No Neck got their chocolate candy. For the first time in his life, he bought himself something. Then he thought, Thank you, God, for being a good God. Skippy, Uncle Buck and Aunt Kay started the long trek back to the ranch. Skippy told them to drive on ahead, he wanted to stop and read Lori Lee’s letter, then he'd catch up. Skippy stopped, opened it and with tears in his eyes read these lines: Dear Sweetheart, Just a line to let you know how much I love you and how I miss you so. Once you told me you loved me and wanted to marry me. You said you'd teach me about your Jesus and both of us could see. I told you I had met another and he wanted to marry me after he became a lawyer back in San Francisco. Only then, you see, he said how good I'd make him look. I was as pretty as could be. Never once did he say he loved me--or just how much he wanted to be with me. It was always he—he—and never us or me. Remember the dance on Christmas Eve. If you haven't found another and would still like to have me, be at the dance that night. And I'll wait there to see you. If I don’t see you there, then I'll know you found another and our lives together will never be. Dear sweetheart... I hope yo see you at 8:00 A.M. Christmas morning... If by then, I don’t see you... The hardest thing I must do will be to get on the train for San Francisco, but my heart will be with you. Love you forever and one more day, Your sweetheart...Lori Lee There was a big lump in Skippy’s throat, and he made up his mind right then there'd be nothing that'd stop him, snow or no snow. He'd go to the Christmas dance. Skippy caught up with Uncle Buck’s wagon and soon they arrived at the ranch. Skippy let Jabber Jaw and No Neck see their boxes of chocolate, but he pretended he didn’t know they saw them. He let them see him sneak into the bunkhouse and hide the boxes, but they were unaware he knew. They knew that candy was in the bunkhouse, and they'd find it once he was off to the dance. On Dec 22nd the snow started and it was as if a white blanket had dropped from heaven. By 6:00 P.M. that evening there was two feet of snow on the ground and it was still falling. Skippy wasn't going to let snow stop him. He knew he had an eight hour ride in clear weather, so he'd leave at 4:00 A.M on the 23rd, This would allow him twelve hours riding time before the dance started. If he was a hour or two late, Lori Lee would understand because of the weather. He loaded all the supplies he could into his saddlebags, along with Lori Lee’s bracelet. He had his buck knife and his rifle. He thought a good hot meal of rabbit sounded good in that cold weather and snow. He packed the letter he'd received from Lori Lee. In fact, he read it two or three times a day. That was the only thing he had that she had touched, and it was priceless to him. The further Skippy went, the harder the trail became. He was making good time according to the weather. Then in the distance, he spotted a cabin. There was a chimney, but no smoke was coming out of it. Skippy didn’t realize there was a house way out there. He thought, I guess no one lives here. There's no smoke. But when he got closer, he saw a body half-covered in snow on the porch. He stopped and checked. It was a old man half-frozen, who looked as if he'd not eaten in days. He picked him up and brought him inside the cabin. There was wood inside, so he built a fire. Soon the cabin was warm, but the old man had no food. Skippy went to his horse and got out enough for about three days. The man wouldn't gorge, but he wouldn’t starve either. He put some jerky in snow water and boiled it for him. “Drink this broth. You have enough wood for a few days. I'll return this way and find a deer for meat and cut you more wood.” Skippy looked at his watch. He'd been there two hours, but that was okay. He had allowed himself a four-hour cushion. He rode on not than a mile when he saw another cabin. This time he saw a little trickle of smoke coming from the chimney. He didn’t know of any cabin here either, but there it was. When he rode closer, he saw a woman trying to split wood from the woodpile. She'd hit it and the ax would stick. She worked hard to get it unstuck, then the very next hit would be the same. She was so cold and worn-out she didn’t even hear him ride up. He wanted so much to ride on. She hadn’t seen him, and he couldn’t afford to lose any more time. He just couldn’t ride on though. He stopped and helped her inside. He very kindly told her he'd split her wood and pack it in the house for her. She was so grateful to him, she said, “I'll have coffee for you when you finish.” He completed his promise and she offered his coffee. He thanked her and while standing there, taking sips, he said, “Thank you, Miss, but I must be on my way. I'll stop on my return and check on you.” Skippy continued on and looked at his watch. He had been there two hours. There went his time cushion. Now he knew he'd be late. If only he could spend two or three hours with her, that'd be better than not at all. People can watch out for themselves today. I have a life too. I have done all the good deeds I'm going to do today. He tried to make Lucky speed up, but the snow was so deep and he was exhausted. Skippy had gone no more than a mile when he approached a fork in the road. To the left was Denver. Skippy brushed off the sign and looked at the miles that was cut into it. Suddenly, the snow stopped falling. Skippy looked at his watch and estimated he could be at the Denver Christmas dance and not miss much more than half. He and Lori Lee could dance the rest of the night away. Finally, God had smiled down on him. His luck had started to change. He lifted up Lucky’s reins and started off, but he couldn’t help notice that up the right fork there was a Christmas tree moving down the trail. It would move about a foot, then stop a minute. It would sit there a few seconds, then jump ahead a few more inches. Skippy thought, I'm not going that way, and I don’t care about a tree inching down the trail. I got a dance to attend. He started on the left trail to Denver, but he just had to look around once more. This time he saw what was moving the tree--a little boy, not more than eight or nine years old. The tree was three times bigger than he was. Skippy wanted to reach Denver. He couldn’t afford any more delays. He said to God, “Please, let this pass from me. I have to see Lori Lee.” But as hard as he tried, he couldn’t make that Denver trail. He pulled up on Lucky’s reins and started for the little boy. Skippy had a very sad heart. He figured he could spare no more than an hour, if he was to make it now. He pulled up by the little boy and said, “Where is that tree pushing you to?” The little boy answered with a quivering lip and a tear in his eye. “Sir, I have to pull it about two more miles and set it up and decorate it before morning.” The little fellow already looked half-frozen, so Skippy removed his rope and told the little guy to loop it over the end of the tree. A happy little boy did so. Then Skippy said, “Why don’t you jump up here on Lucky with me? I think that if I slide back, there'll will be room in the saddle for each of us.” He did what Skippy asked, then Skippy opened his coat and wrapped his arms around the little guy. They hadn’t moved 100 feet before the little guy was fast asleep. Skippy held on to him and in a short while, they were in front of an old cabin. Standing at the door was a woman that looked half-dead from exhaustion. She put the boy to bed and wept as she said, “I cut the tree this morning, but it was too big for me to move. I tried as hard as I could, but I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t think I was going to have the strength to make it back myself.” Skippy said, “Couldn’t you find a smaller tree?” She pointed in the corner to another bed. In the bed was a man. He looked very sick. “That's Toby’s dad. He can’t last any more than a couple of days. Toby wants his last Christmas to be a special one. You see, before his dad became sick a few months ago, he had taken care of that tree in the woods. He cleaned from around it and shaped it. He told Toby how nice it would look all decorated with presents under it. Toby was going to have that tree for his dad, or he would die trying. There are no presents to go under it, but the tree is here. When Toby awakens, we'll prop it up in the corner and wake up Dad and show him his tree.” Skippy looked at his watch and asked, “Do you have any lumber in the barn?” “Yes, some short scrap pieces.” Skippy was off to the barn. He found a short board, a couple of nails and a hammer. He nailed the board to the bottom of the tree, stood it up, then found all the corn he could. He put it on the stove and as it swelled, he gathered it up. This woke Toby up and when he realized what was happening, he was got up to help. Mom found some things in the drawer and when they had finished, it was the most beautiful thing Toby had ever seen. He asked Skippy, “Are you God? You must be. This is what I prayed for. There are no presents, but I don’t care. I got a tree and Dad gets to see it before he dies.” Skippy gathered mom and Toby around dad’s bed. They had a prayer circle and Skippy thanked God for all the new friends he'd made that day. He asked God to let Toby’s dad live until Christmas morning and watch over them and keep them safe. Once again he thanked God for Lori Lee and prayed she'd always be happy. He didn’t see any way he could get to the dance in time now. It was almost 5:00 A.M. and no way could he finish his trip by 8:00 A.M. Skippy looked around and saw Mom and Toby asleep on Dad’s bed. He found another blanket and covered them both. He looked at Toby and wondered how a sweet little boy could have thought he was God. He couldn’t even make an eight-hour trip in twelve. God could do all. A very sad Skippy went out to his saddlebags and took out the box with the bracelet and returned to the house. He put the bracelet under the tree. He found a pencil and on the box he wrote, To Mom. He removed his watch and found some paper. He rolled the paper around the watch and on the paper he wrote, To Dad. Skippy took his buck knife out of his pocket and wrapped more paper around it. With the pencil he wrote, To Toby. When all three gifts were under the tree, he stood up. Mom, Dad and Toby were fast asleep on the bed. Skippy quietly closed the door and went to the barn to saddle up Lucky. He knew he couldn't make it now because the sun was starting to break through the clouds. He prayed this prayer anyway. God, I know all things are possible with you. Please let that train be late. Please, let me ride like the wind. Give Lucky the power to make this trip. Father, I know I don’t deserve any of these things I ask. Father, let your will be done and not mine. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen. Skippy took out his letter and read it one more time. That had to be the millionth time he'd read it. Those words broke his heart. "Dear Sweetheart...just a line to let you know how much I love you and how I miss you so." This time he folded it back up and put it away. Skippy thought he was making good time, so he looked at his watch before he remembered he didn't have it anymore. But he didn’t mind. His heart was breaking, but this morning there was one happy family for sure. His prayers would always be with them. Soon Skippy found the place where the dance was to be held. He looked and looked, but all he saw was one old man sweeping up trash and putting it in a barrel. The old man said, “Son, you're a couple hours late.” “Did you see a girl here tonight?” “Son, there was a lot of girls here tonight.” “This was a very special and beautiful girl.” “I think I understand. There was a girl with golden hair, skin as silky smooth as honey and eyes as blue as the sky.” “That was my Lori Lee.” “Son, she stood and watched the horizon all night. I think she might have been looking for you. She left about a hour ago on the train for San Francisco.” Skippy’s heart broke. He had fooled around and missed her. She was gone now, and he had no way of finding her. She would be married before he'd be able to locate her. Skippy reached in his pocket and pulled out Lori Lee’s letter and put it in the trash the old man was burning. Sadly, he watched as the paper curled up and turned black. Skippy turned Lucky and headed back home. He was feeling the lowest he'd ever felt in his life. Then he prayed this prayer. ”Father, why did you forsake me tonight? I need you always, but tonight I needed you more than ever. You were just not here tonight. Forgive me if I've done wrong. I never meant you any harm. Then suddenly he heard a voice as soft as could be speak. It said, “My son, I was never far away from you tonight. Three times our paths crossed tonight and each time I knocked at your door. You see, I was an old man and you gave something to eat. I was the old woman who didn’t have any heat...I was the little boy who wanted a tree... Three times I knocked and three times you let me in. Each time I found the warmth of a friend. Just believe in me once more, and I'm sure you'll be happy forever and some more.” As the voice finished, Skippy looked up and once again saw an old man in despair. He cried, “Please Father, make him disappear. I've done enough good deeds for today. Please! Please! Make him go away.” Skippy opened his eyes and the old man was still there, laying in a grove of trees that he didn’t remember seeing there before. He stopped and got off Lucky and opened his saddlebag. He took out some jerky and held the old man up. He told him to chew on it and he'd feel better. Skippy removed his coat and put it around him and tried to get him warm. He went to his saddlebag again and took out the last bit of dry branches he had and started a fire. Soon the man was able to speak. He thanked Skippy for his kindness and said, “You're a sad looking young man on this Christmas day.” “If you only knew what a tragic day I've had. I don’t think God loves me. I try so hard, but I just can’t get it right. Maybe some day I may get my act together.” “How about we start now?” Skippy raised his teary eyes and the old man handed him a letter. On it was an address: 1025 Peach Tree Trail. He opened the envelope and read these lines: “Dear Sweetheart...just a line to let you know how much I love you and how I miss you so.” He looked up at the old man and saw a golden light around his face. This was the letter he had put in the barrel of trash and watched burn. Then the old man gave him two boxes and a paper with a buck knife in it. That was his knife he had left with the little boy. His gold watch was in one box and the bracelet in the other. “I wanted that poor family to have them,” Skippy said. “They were angels. So were the woman you split wood for and the man you gave something to eat.” Then he touched Skippy’s arm and said, “Through the trees, about a hundred feet, you'll find this street. Go to the door and knock and then return to this spot.” Skippy did just as he was told. He knocked on the door and a beautiful young girl with golden hair and skin as smooth as honey opened it. Her eyes were as blue as the sky. He couldn’t believe his eyes. It was Lori Lee. She threw her arms around him and said, “I will not let you go this time. How did you get here so fast? I just set my bags down, and there's not another train here for a week.” “I'll tell you all about it later. Will you marry me?” “Yes!” He picked up her bag. “Will you come with me?” “Anywhere in the world, just as long as I can be with you.” They said their goodbyes and off they went through the grove of trees. Somehow, they went through the fog and there stood Lucky and another horse. As they rode back to the ranch, Skippy told Lori Lee all that had happened. The cabins that he had stopped at on the way were not there now. Soon they were at the ranch. Jabber Jaw and No Neck came out to meet them when they saw them. They were fit to be tied. Christmas Day was almost over and they wanted their presents. They told Skippy they watched him go in the bunkhouse with their chocolate and now it was nowhere to be found. By this time, Uncle Buck and Aunt Kay had come to meet them. Uncle Buck said, “Now I can see why this girl means so much to you. I can remember when your Aunt Kay was that age and looked just like her. Will you please give them two big babies their Christmas presents? They're about to drive us crazy!” No Neck said, “They're not in the bunkhouse where you put them. Unless that old mean Jabber Jaw found them and ate all of it!” Jabber Jaw said, “No! They're gone.” “Everybody come with me,” Skippy said. They all went into the bunkhouse and couldn’t believe their eyes. Jabber Jaw and No Neck had moved everything. Skippy’s bed was all apart and the cupboards were open. “What came through here?” Aunt Kay asked. Uncle Buck said, “They're behind you.” The only place that wasn’t touched was Jabber Jaw and No Neck’s bed. Skippy went between them and opened their footlocker, moved one box and lifted out two boxes of chocolate. “Merry Christmas.” “You old fool," No Neck said. "We've been laying three feet from that candy, and you didn’t even know it. Skippy, what a dumb place to hide our presents. You put them in our own footlocker. You don’t hide someone’s gift in his own stuff.” Then Aunt Kay said, “Guys, aren’t you forgetting something?” Then they remembered. On the other end of their locker they lifted out a box and gave it to Skippy. “It’s for the both of you.” They opened it and saw a beautiful model of a two-story log cabin. “This time next year you'll be in it. We'll build it for you on your ten acres next Spring. Lori Lee, this is the outside. You tell us how you want the inside and we'll fix it for you.” “Forgive me, Father, for losing my patience with you," Skippy said. "We'll always love you and teach our kids all about you. Love you forever and one more day.” ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |