INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT, DAY 1

Santa’s message had given Ina the inspiration she needed to move ahead with plans for Christmas. The day was cold, perfect timing for some cookie baking. At the prospect of fresh cookies, Jack happily stoked the fire in the old wood stove, and Ina tried a new recipe for oatmeal molasses cookies.

Meanwhile, Miss Dorothy Johnson, teacher at the one-room schoolhouse, trudged along the snowy road on her way to visit “Aunt” Ina Dobson, bracing herself against the cold wind. As she passed “Aunt” Bertha’s house, Miss Johnson lamented that she didn’t have time to stop and visit. Aunt Bertha was lively and fun. Not so her sister Ina, whose stern demeanor belied a generous heart. She had her standards, and you wouldn’t find her gossiping – well, mostly not. It was quietly said with knowing glances that the two sisters – Bertha and Ina – might conger up a little magic if the situation were right. Secretly, Miss Johnson hoped so.

 

Sitting now at Ina’s dining room table nibbling delicious fresh oatmeal molasses cookies, Miss Johnson stated the matter at hand.

“Aunt Ina, you know of the Smith family, I’m sure. Well, they lost the crop and are on the verge of losing the farm. Mr. Smith is obliged to leave in order to seek work elsewhere, and the missus wants to go with him, but little Shirley Anne must stay behind.”

It wasn’t a new story, Ina reflected. People had been coming and going almost since she and Jack had settled here in 1896. The community had dwindled after the first influx of homesteaders, and the post office had closed years ago.

“Perhaps they just need a little time to work through things,” the teacher continued, “and I happened to think . . . Well, I know that your Shirley isn’t here just now, and I wondered if their little Shirley Anne could stay with you until the home situation is resolved.”

Ina and Bertha Dobson, 1922

Ina was forming a negative answer in her mind when she remembered Santa’s plea. Wasn’t she dreading the prospect of a lonely Christmas? Hadn’t she longed to make a magic Christmas for a child? “Why, yes!” Ina heard herself saying. “We’d be glad to care for the child.”

“What did the teacher want,” asked Jack, as he and Ina ate their supper of chicken soup and fresh bread.

Ina explained that she had agreed to care for little Shirley Anne Smith while her parents left the area to look for work. Jack might bluster a bit, she thought, but in the end he loved children and wouldn’t complain.

“Well, that’s another mouth to feed, Ina,” observed Jack.

“A mighty small mouth,” said Ina, defensively. “We might not have much, but we do have plenty to eat. And I know you don’t mind, so don’t pretend you do.”

“You’re right, Ina,” said Jack. “When will the girl be here?”

“Tomorrow at noon.” KW