DAY 19 -- ANOTHER SKIMPY CHRISTMAS WITH INA

On Wednesday night before Christmas a big bobsled load of us – nineteen in all and with a four-horse team – went up to the old schoolhouse to the school program and tree. It was lots of fun and I believe the last I went to was when . . .  I was in the program myself back in 1923! I got a great kick out of watching these various kids perform and make mistakes and more fun still to see them eating candy and popcorn balls up front while the tree was being ‘had.’ – Shirley Dobson

Today is the last day of school before Christmas vacation, and tonight everyone will gather at the school for the pageant and community Christmas tree. The school was the center of the agricultural community, and the program meant fellowship and entertainment to which all were welcome. Santa would visit with gifts and treats for the children, and for some families, it was as much Christmas as they would have.

Sadie was excited. Her infectious enthusiasm was caught by the rest of the family. Even Ernest and Gramps dropped some of their grumpiness, and Ina marveled again at the wonders of having a child in the home for Christmas.

Even though the day was full of anticipation, it was business as usual on the farm. Gramps took Sadie to school on horseback and returned to work in the barn. Ernest pulled on his coveralls and went back to work in the cistern. Ethel did up the mending while Ina rolled out a batch of gingerbread cookies and cut them into shapes.

At the appropriate hour, Jack went back to the school for Sadie. On the way home, they picked up the mail, including many Christmas cards. These were laid aside to be opened tomorrow when they had the time to enjoy them. (However, Ina sneaked a peak through the stack when no one was looking.)

They ate supper a little early, and Ethel helped Sadie into her costume – drop-seat pajamas in brown, trimmed with rick-rack and with matching hood. She was adorable, but even though they thought it, no one said so. It was important that your child not develop a “swollen head.”

Now, you’d think, if your school was a one-room schoolhouse in the country where rural electrification was yet to come, you might have your program in the afternoon while it was light, but such was not the case. No, the program was set to begin promptly at 7:00. The older boys were in charge of lighting lanterns and lamps, providing extra seating, and taking care of the fire in the stove. All students were expected to stand and allow the adults to sit, and every able-bodied man stood so that the women could sit. Everyone was there from miles around. Some came in cars, but many were conveyed by horse and wagon.

Ernest had already agreed to drive the family to the pageant in his car. They also stopped for Aunt Bertha and the many goodies she had packed – two pumpkin pies, gingerbread (spice cake) with thick frosting, and molasses cookies. In the darkness of the car, Ina shook her head at the way her sister continually out-did herself with the baking. KW

Tomorrow: A report on the play