Christmas at Miner’s Cove

by Betty Skoglund

Here it was, almost Christmas Eve. Mary and Jim Ferguson had spent all day scrubbing and cleaning their little cabin and now it was bright and clean. A beautiful bouquet of holly rested right in the middle of the white, starched cloth that covered the dining room table. Still, their mother looked so tired and discouraged. And there was one thing missing—food. There wasn’t even enough food in the house for the evening meal. Mr. Ferguson had been out of work for several weeks, and the food supply had finally run out.

Tears filled Mary’s eyes as she looked around. The pine and cedar branches that had been brought in from the woods for Christmas decorations looked and smelled so good, and everything was spic and span. It just didn't seem right, no food and no gifts for the tree.

Suddenly Jimmy jumped up and said he was going to walk downtown to look at the lights. It was cold outside and the snow was packed down hard. He stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and headed toward the business section of town. In spite of the unhappiness at home, he soon found himself whistling “Silent Night” as he thought about other Christmases and the fun they had enjoyed. As he came near Sim’s Grocery corner, he could hear his friend, Henry, shouting the headlines of the late edition. Up until recently the newsstand on that corner had been his; but when Henry’s widowed mother had become ill and couldn’t work, Jim had let him take over his stand to help out. A lump formed in his throat and he thought about what might have been, as he stopped to look longingly into the brilliantly lighted department store window.

All of a sudden, while he was standing there, he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. He was frightened as he looked up into the stern face of the tall grey-haired stranger.

“Say, boy, where can I get a paper around here?”

“I’ll get one for you, Sir,” Jim answered. He took the offered coin and ran for Henry’s corner. All of a sudden he realized that the stranger had given him a fifty cent piece. Boy, that seemed like a lot of money; the stranger probably did not really need it. When he thought about what that money could buy, he was tempted to run on home.

“Paper, Paper, Evening Review,” Henry was calling. Jim shrugged his shoulders as if to shake off the evil voice that seemed to be talking to him. His conscience told him it would be wrong to keep the money. He grit his teeth and ran over to the news stand.

“Hello Jim,” called Henry. “Paper for you tonight?”

“Merry Christmas!” answered Jim as he hurried off with the paper and change.

“Here, Sir, is your paper and change. Is there anything else I can do for you?” The man looked down at Jim with an impatient scowl. “Yes, is there a decent place to stay in this jerk town?”

Jim got red in the face. He loved this little mining town, it was home to him. He didn’t like the stranger’sattitude and crude manner. His was a Christian home and every member of the family tried to practice the teachings of Jesus. Yet Jim also knew that his mother and father were always kind to friends and strangers alike.

So he cleared his throat and answered, “Sir, you can come to our house. I’m sure it will be alright.”

The stranger looked at the boy in surprise. “But, how about something to eat? I’m starved. I just got off the train a few minutes ago.”

“Well, I don’t know,” answered Jim. “My father has been out of work for about a month and there isn’t one bit of food in the house now.” Before he realized what was happening, he had told the stranger all about their trouble.

The man’s hard face softened as he bent down and looked Jim in the face. “What’s your name, Son?”

“Jim Ferguson,” the boy answered. “And yours, Sir?”

“Mine is Mr. Humphrey. Come on, Jim, show me the way to the market.”

Hand in hand they entered the store. It wasn’t long before Mr. Humphrey had filled a great big basket with all kinds of good food. They had turkey, cranberry sauce, fruit, nuts and everything that goes with a real Christmas dinner. It was too much to carry, but the grocer promised to deliver the entire load to the Ferguson’s address within a half hour. As they left the market, Mr. Humphrey asked, “Are you going to hang up your stockings tonight?"

“I don’t know, Sir, Mary and I always do every Christmas, but this year it’s different.”

“Well, I don’t know.” Mr. Humphrey seemed to be talking to himself. “Let’s go across the street and see what we can find.”

Jim followed him into the toy store. This didn’t seem to make much sense. He didn’t have any money for toys, but he became so busy looking at all the interesting games and gadgets that he didn’t notice what Mr. Humphrey was doing.

A few minutes later, Mr. Humphrey called Jim and asked him to help carry some of the funny-shaped packages that were all wrapped up. As they stepped out into the street, a light snow began to fall. It was almost dark and the lights twinkled gaily through the powdery snow. With swift steps they walked up the street toward the Ferguson cabin.

“Why, Jimmy,” Mrs. Ferguson called as they turned up the walk that led to the cabin, “we were beginning to get worried about you. Daddy was just getting ready to go out and look for you.”

“Mother, meet my new friend, Mr. Humphrey,” Jim called out with boyish pride. He’s here from New York and doesn’t have any place to spend the night. Can he stay with us?”

“Come in, Mr. Humphrey,” Jimmy’s mother said. She knew that she must be polite, but she couldn’t help thinking about the bare shelves in the kitchen.

“Say, I think someone just knocked at the back door, Mom,” said Jim. He and Mr. Humphrey smiled as if they had a big secret.

There stood the delivery boy with a huge load of groceries. With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Ferguson said, "God has answered our prayers.” It was all she was able to say.

In just a short time dinner was ready and they all gathered around the table. Each one eagerly found his place. It looked just like Christmas Eve ought to look, with candles, holly and a cheery fire in the fire place. Every one bowed his head, and Mr. Ferguson thanked God for the food and the stranger that had been sent to their humble home.

It had been many years since Mr. Humphrey had heard a prayer like that; and before he went to bed that night in the little cabin home, he did some serious thinking. He remembered when he used to kneel down with his mother and pray every night before getting into his little bed. That seemed like such a long time ago.

Early the next morning, Mr. Humphrey was awakened by shouts of laughter and excited chatter. The children had found the toys that he had left for them. Before going to sleep the night before, he had slipped quietly out into the living room and placed the gifts for each one under the tree.

As he went into the living room, Mr. Humphrey was literally mobbed by both Mary and Jim. They were so excited and thrilled. Mary had received a beautiful doll with blond hair and sparkling blue eyes and a bright shiny pair of skates. Jim became the proud owner of a pair of skates, a football, and a baseball and bat.

Later that afternoon the entire family sat around a big table for Christmas dinner. They had turkey and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie—oh, it was just about the most wonderful dinner they had ever eaten.

Finally after the last crumb was cleaned up, Mr. Humphrey looked suddenly at his watch and jumped up hurriedly. It was almost train time. He stopped a moment and looked first at one face and then another. “I want to thank you for your kind hospitality. I had forgotten about God but last night I found Him again in the quietness of my room.” He then reached out and put his arm on Jim’s shoulder and added, “Yesterday I was a tired, cross business man but your fine Christian spirit has made this Christmas the happiest one I have had in many years.”

Mr. Humphrey hurriedly shook hands with everyone and then rushed off to catch the train. He promised to come back and visit them soon. The train slowly chugged its way out of sight, and one by one the lights went out in the little sleepy town.

Another Christmas had come and gone, but this one would be remembered for a long time to come.