A SAD CHRISTMAS John and Veronica Campbell lived in Bear River , with their three children, and John's sister, Ellen and brother, Larry. John was a carpenter by trade, who spent some of his time working away from home. Veronica remained at home, looking after the small farming operation. Ellen was a good seamstress, and she earned some money with her sewing. She would take an old coat, rip and turn it, and produce one that looked like new. She had a little sewing room adjacent to the kitchen, where she spent hours sewing on her "Singer" sewing- machine, making garments that pleased all who wore them. Ellen was a very religious person, and on the first day of May, would be seen sprinkling holy water along the line fence between their farm and McCloskey's, so that the two families would get along well together. It seemed to work, for there was always peace and harmony between these two families. The two families shared the task of taking the children to Catechism. One Sunday, John borrowed McCloskey's double-seated wagon to take the children. On the way, they met a car that scared the horse. The horse had never seen one before. He lay down on the side of the road, causing the wagon to tip over. Luckily enough, there were no casualties. Safety was a major concern; so they decided to have religion classes in the school, instead of going to . The children could walk this shorter distance. John and Veronica had memories of a Christmas that they would never forget during their entire life-time. Everyone was busy preparing for Midnight Mass and for the festivities to follow the next day. John E ., Mary, and Anna, their tree children, were ecstatic with joy as they pranced around the kitchen, trying to imagine what Santa might leave 82