Christmas comes whenever Carla Kelly releases new stories. This slender volume barely lasted a few hours; now when will Ms. Kelly publish another? I'm eagerly awaiting it.
The Lasting Gift
Desperately poor, Mary Ann Poole receives a package in the mail. (Info: In those days, the recipient paid the postage.) Having paid postage on a misdirected package, Mary Ann can not afford to lose the money. Therefore, she and her young daughter walk the distance to return the box and get their money back.
Along the way, we learn that this mother and child are so poor that they draw pictures of the gifts they would like to give each other and then present the drawings in lieu of actual gifts on Christmas day. When they arrive at the sender's address, they find a retired sea master who has too much time on his hands.
Faithfully Yours
This is an extremely short story about John, a poor lad who went to North America to raise himself from his poor circumstances. Before he left, the most popular girl, Margaret, promised to write to him. However, she only promised on a lark and had no intention of following through on her promise. Sally, the local minister's daughter overheard the promise and decided to write, in Margaret's name (with Margaret's permission).
During John's absence, Sally became a teacher of the local children. The letters had been a lifeline to Sally; allowing her to experience the adventures of her old school friend. When John returns to his hometown, he wants to to discuss his growing relationship with 'Margaret.'
Lucy's Bang-up Christmas
Lucinda's mother has died during the past year and Lucy's father and sister just want to concentrate on Lucy's older sister's wedding. However, Lucy is devastated that the Christmas traditions will be set aside for expediency's sake. When Lucy's cousin Miles arrives from college, she entreats him to help her create a Christmas like her mother always did. Realizing that he is in love with Lucy, he helps her recreate Christmas. However, they are both surprised to see the lengths to which Lucy's mother went to share the Christmas spirit with those less fortunate.
The Lasting Gift
Desperately poor, Mary Ann Poole receives a package in the mail. (Info: In those days, the recipient paid the postage.) Having paid postage on a misdirected package, Mary Ann can not afford to lose the money. Therefore, she and her young daughter walk the distance to return the box and get their money back.
Along the way, we learn that this mother and child are so poor that they draw pictures of the gifts they would like to give each other and then present the drawings in lieu of actual gifts on Christmas day. When they arrive at the sender's address, they find a retired sea master who has too much time on his hands.
Faithfully Yours
This is an extremely short story about John, a poor lad who went to North America to raise himself from his poor circumstances. Before he left, the most popular girl, Margaret, promised to write to him. However, she only promised on a lark and had no intention of following through on her promise. Sally, the local minister's daughter overheard the promise and decided to write, in Margaret's name (with Margaret's permission).
During John's absence, Sally became a teacher of the local children. The letters had been a lifeline to Sally; allowing her to experience the adventures of her old school friend. When John returns to his hometown, he wants to to discuss his growing relationship with 'Margaret.'
Lucy's Bang-up Christmas
Lucinda's mother has died during the past year and Lucy's father and sister just want to concentrate on Lucy's older sister's wedding. However, Lucy is devastated that the Christmas traditions will be set aside for expediency's sake. When Lucy's cousin Miles arrives from college, she entreats him to help her create a Christmas like her mother always did. Realizing that he is in love with Lucy, he helps her recreate Christmas. However, they are both surprised to see the lengths to which Lucy's mother went to share the Christmas spirit with those less fortunate.
