A Quilt for Christmas by Sandra Dallas Read Free Book Online Page A

dressed that morning at the Starks’, Missouri Ann had slipped her dress over her nightgown, and now she was sleeping warm in that garment, covered by quilts.
    Eliza was tired, too, but she was restless. She wondered what Will would think about her taking in Missouri Ann and Nance. Would he approve? Of course he would. Will was a kind man. He’d taken in stray dogs and cats, and more than once, he’d asked her to give a meal to a tramp passing through. He wouldn’t deny shelter to a woman and child. Still, she ought to ask for his permission. But what if he said no? Eliza smiled to herself. She’d ask in such a way that he couldn’t turn her down. She’d done that often enough.
    And so, despite the hour and her own weariness, Eliza lit a candle and went to the cupboard for a sheet of paper and a pen. She reached for the bottle of ink, but it was frozen, so she took up a pencil instead and sat at the table near the dying fire and began.
    December 25, 1864
    Dear Husband
    On this most sacred of nights, I write to wish you a Happy Christmas & to tell you that your most welcome letter informing me the quilt had arrived, was joyously received. It was the best of all Christmas gifts. The children are overjoyed at their presents & I am warmed by your words that someday we will be together to share the quilt. Davy was busy with the knife, whittling a piece of wood which he said will become a stirring spoon for me. Luzena named the doll Miss Cat, for that ugly stray that got her tail caught in a reaper.
    It has been a most unusual Christmas. At Post Office yesterday, Missouri Ann Stark that was Missouri Ann Martin received word her husband Hugh had been killed in battle. She had been abandoned to the Starks that misused her & wanted her to marry one-legged Edison, who is the most foul of creatures. On impulse, I asked her to live with me. She agreed to meet me at church today, but was followed by the Starks & a most unpleasant scene occurred in which Reverend Hamlin was threatened. But they were put in their place by the reverend, assisted by Print Ritter, the man who mended the wheel of our wagon last winter. Missouri Ann & Baby Nance are now asleep, even as I write this. I ask your approval for what I have done & would welcome any advice you can give me.
    Eliza paused here. She gave a second thought about asking Will’s advice, but she had nothing with which to erase the words. And with paper as scarce as it was, she did not wish to throw the sheet into the fire and begin again. She could always ignore Will’s advice. It wouldn’t be the first time. And if he complained, then she would tell him she had had to make the best of things as she saw them. After all, if he did not believe she could run the farm and make decisions in his stead, he should not have joined the army.
    It was a beautiful Christmas day, the ground covered in white snow. I hitched Sabra to the sleigh & she carried us to church. I believe I saw a few looks of scorn at the undertaker’s words on the sleigh & some few might have inquired of what we were thinking, but I also saw a glance or two of envy at such a handsome vehicle. When I told it about that you had traded the old wagon for the sleigh, there were murmurs of approval. Perhaps if I cannot make a success of the farm while you are away, I shall take up the new art of embalming.
    Eliza frowned at what she had written. She hoped Will would understand she was only joking. But to be sure, she explained.
    That is a little joke. Please excuse it. There is so little to laugh at these days.
    Well, husband, we are well and snug here, our guests too, & lack only your presence to make this the merriest of Christmas days. We prayed at church for the welfare of all our men in the Union, as well as—
    Eliza was about to say they had prayed for all soldiers, Union as well as Confederate, but she knew Will would not like that. So she crossed out “as well as” and