{"id":3551,"date":"2002-12-24T00:06:08","date_gmt":"2002-12-24T05:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3551"},"modified":"2026-07-29T14:18:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T18:18:01","slug":"the-night-before-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3551","title":{"rendered":"The Night Before Christmas (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Here’s the Christmas story. It\u2019s short, but fun.<\/p>\n

Rated: T \u00a0 (2,760 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Night Before Christmas\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

T\u2019was the Night before Christmas, and all through the house,<\/em><\/p>\n

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMice!\u201d said Joe Cartwright in disgust. He was lying on his stomach on the floor of the kitchen in the Ponderosa ranch house. \u201cPass me the plaster,\u201d he added to Hoss, who stood behind him.<\/p>\n

That morning, Christmas Eve, Hop Sing had spotted a mouse in the kitchen. Joe was the smallest and slimmest, so he had been elected to get down into the narrow space between the dresser and the wall, and patch the hole. Traps had been set all over the house, and a couple of mice had already succumbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, mice is all right, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said, predictably. \u201cThey ain\u2019t as dirty as rats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving his older brother a dirty look, Joe applied the plaster to the hole in the wall. He had planted a little poison bait in the hole before he did this. It was definitely an awkward angle to work at, he thought, as he caught his elbow on the dresser for the hundredth time. He bit back the curse that sprang to mind. It was all very well for Pa to hate swearing, he thought, but there were times when a man was pushed to it, and he didn\u2019t see Pa squeezing into this space.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m coming out. Back off, Hoss and give me some room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Obediently, Hoss got out of the way, and Joe began to squirm backwards. Reaching the spot where he could start to get upright again, Joe put his hand down to push against. There was an audible snap as one of the mousetraps closed on his fingers. For a second, there was silence, then Joe let out a scream! Hoss rushed to his aid, and released the spring. Joe looked at his mangled fingers, and then glanced at Hoss to thank him<\/p>\n

The words died on his lips as he saw the struggle Hoss was having to control his laughter. Seeing that Joe knew, Hoss collapsed into a heap, guffawing heartily. Furious, and in agony, Joe got to his feet, and rushed over to the pump, to plunge his hand into a basin of cold water sitting there.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care<\/em><\/p>\n

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.<\/em><\/p>\n

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads<\/em><\/p>\n

And mama in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled out brains for a long winter\u2019s nap.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaning on the stone chimneybreast, staring into the fire, Ben Cartwright was lost in memories. It was natural, he supposed, to think on times past. He remembered the Christmases he\u2019d spent with his three wives. The ones that stuck more clearly in his mind were the ones spent with Marie here in this house. The reminders were all around \u2013 the baubles she\u2019d brought with her, and which they still hung on the tree, and the little traditions she\u2019d introduced. That didn\u2019t mean he\u2019d loved his other wives any the less. Indeed, he cherished their memories.<\/p>\n

There was movement by his side, and Ben glanced up to see Adam standing there. He smiled at Ben. This was a pose he\u2019d seen his father in on many a Christmas Eve. \u201cMemories?\u201d he asked, softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLots of them,\u201d Ben agreed, smiling. \u201cOur first Christmas in this house.\u201d He laughed. \u201cDo you remember the way Joe used to pester us to hang up his stocking every year?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd not just his,\u201d Adam answered wryly. \u201cWe all had to hang one up. He counted Hoss and I as children, and so we had to have one, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might have been doing a man\u2019s work, son,\u201d Ben replied,\u201d but you were still a child in many ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brushing that comment away, Adam looked at the tree, glittering with its load of baubles and tinsel. \u201cRemember how upset he was the year that Bobby Wilson told him Santa didn\u2019t exist?\u201d Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t funny!\u201d Ben protested, laughing. \u201cHe was really upset!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was funny! He looked so woebegone!\u201d Adam was chuckling harder. \u201cAnd remember how he always woke up about 3, and demanded to get his presents?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only day of the year we could guarantee he was first up,\u201d reminisced Ben. \u201cMarie always hoped he would sleep a little alter that day, and he never did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,<\/em><\/p>\n

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter<\/em><\/p>\n

Away to the window I flew like a flash,<\/em><\/p>\n

Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

One of Joe\u2019s fingers was broken; there was no doubt about it. Gently, Ben bandaged his son\u2019s injured hand, and fought to keep a straight face while he did so. Hoss kept exploding off into fits of laughter, and Adam was copying him. Joe\u2019s face was as dark as thunder, and he maintained an icy silence. Ben sought for a neutral topic of conversation, but all that came into his head was another memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember when Hoss jumped out of the window one Christmas Eve?\u201d he asked, and after a moment, Joe\u2019s mouth twitched. Joe had been pretty small, but the crash as Hoss plunged down the roof into the snow below had wakened the whole house.<\/p>\n

Blushing scarlet, Hoss said, \u201cAw, Pa, you didn\u2019t need to bring that up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave a luster of midday to objects below<\/em><\/p>\n

When what to my wandering eyes should appear<\/em><\/p>\n

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou thought you saw Santa flying across the sky?!\u201d Joe crowed, his anger at his brothers forgotten. He threw his head back and let go with that unique, infectious giggle. \u201cPa, he didn\u2019t, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what he said,\u201d Ben agreed, laughing, too. Hoss was blushing furiously, but it was true. One night he had dreamed he saw Santa, and fell out of his window. He had been sleeping walking at the time, and that had undoubtedly saved him from a nasty injury.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a little old drive so lively and quick<\/em><\/p>\n

I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were the names given to the reindeer?\u201d Adam asked. He took a sip of the glass of wind he held in his hand. It was dark outside.\u00a0<\/em>The family were gathered around the fire, waiting for supper to be ready. They always dressed for Christmas Eve, and were already looking forward to Pa reading them the Christmas story.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019ve forgotten?\u201d Joe accused him. He started to move to put his feet on the table, then caught the glance thrown at him by Ben, and changed his mind. \u201cI thought you knew everything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrecisely because I do know everything, I sometimes can\u2019t find the information I\u2019m looking for,\u201d Adam replied smoothly, and they all laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More rapid than eagles his courser they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer, now Vixen<\/em><\/p>\n

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen!<\/em><\/p>\n

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,<\/em><\/p>\n

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe finished reciting the names \u2013 his especial privilege \u2013 Hop Sing called them to the table. Ben gave thanks, and they fell on the tender roast beef as though they hadn\u2019t seen food before. The mood was mellow. Joe needed a little help cutting up his food, but Ben poured the wine with a generous hand, and the boys drank more than they normally would at home.<\/p>\n

Comfortably full, they repaired once more to the fireside, and Hop Sing served coffee. Ben rose, and opened the bible, and began to read. The magic of the ancient story held them all captive, even though they knew each word by heart.<\/p>\n

There was a moment or two of silence after he finished, and then Adam retrieved his guitar, and they sang some carols, solemn ones at first, then livelier ones as the joy replaced the awe. Finally Adam put down the guitar, and Ben gave them all a glass of brandy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly<\/em><\/p>\n

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky<\/em><\/p>\n

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,<\/em><\/p>\n

With a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof<\/em><\/p>\n

As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cListen to that wind,\u201d Adam said. He rose and opened the door. Snow swirled in at once, and Adam all but lost his grip on the door. He pushed against the strength of the wind to shut the door. \u201cIts turned into a real blizzard,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Unable to resist the lure of falling snow, Joe bounded to his feet and went to the window to look. When the office window didn\u2019t allow him to see enough, he headed upstairs. Indulgently, the others smiled. Joe often had to go out into falling snow. He was unable to give a reason for it, but they often found him outside in weather no sensible being would dream of going out in.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before he clattered back down the stairs, but he wasn\u2019t smiling. \u201cThe barn door is swinging,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m sure we shut it earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a martyred sigh, they got to their feet. \u201cJoe, you stay here,\u201d Ben instructed. \u201cWe can deal with this perfectly well, and we don\u2019t want anything else happening to that hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe said, reluctantly. He watched enviously as they bundled up and then headed out into the blizzard.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot<\/em><\/p>\n

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot<\/em><\/p>\n

A bundle of toys he had thrown on his back,<\/em><\/p>\n

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.<\/em><\/p>\n

His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples how merry<\/em><\/p>\n

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry<\/em><\/p>\n

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow<\/em><\/p>\n

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they neared the barn, they could see someone moving about inside. Adam drew his gun, and he nodded to Ben. In one smooth movement, he threw open the barn door, and went in.<\/p>\n

The old man standing there reminded them of someone. He jumped as Adam entered, then relaxed and smiled. \u201cI\u2019m so pleased to see someone,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve lost my way. I\u2019m looking for the Fleming ranch. Can you tell em where it is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re about 20 miles in the wrong direction,\u201d Ben said, motioning to Adam to put down his gun. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you come to the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought this was the house,\u201d said the old man, who was brushing frozen snow from his beard. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t until I came in that I realized my mistake. And then, I love horses, so I had to pet them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome and have a hot drink before you go on your way,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, that\u2019s very kind, but time is against me, and I must push on. I\u2019ll get something to drink at the Flemings. God bless you all.\u201d The man picked up the bag he had with him, and nodded politely to each one, and headed back into the teeth of the gale.<\/p>\n

They secured the barn, and went back to the house. \u201cWe should have pressed him harder to stay,\u201d Adam said, a bit surprised that none of them had objected to his leaving.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d Joe volunteered. \u201cI just stuck my head out, and saw him lighting his pipe, and asked him to come in. He just shook his head, and vanished.\u201d
\nThe stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth<\/em><\/p>\n

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath<\/em><\/p>\n

He had a broad face and a round little belly<\/em><\/p>\n

That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly<\/em><\/p>\n

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf<\/em><\/p>\n

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself<\/em><\/p>\n

A wink of an eye and a twist of his head<\/em><\/p>\n

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, its too late now,\u201d Ben said, regretfully. He looked at the clock. \u201cCome on, boys, let\u2019s get to bed. Merry Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas,\u201d they echoed, for it was just on midnight. They went up to their rooms, and slept soundly. Ben lay for a few minutes, thinking about his sons and their mothers. A pang of grief shot through his heart, then was gone. There was a time for mourning, but this wasn\u2019t it. Tomorrow, they would remember those family members who were gone, and remember them with joy and laughter. He closed his eyes, and sleep claimed him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He spake not a word, but went straight to his work<\/em><\/p>\n

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk<\/em><\/p>\n

And laying his finger aside of his nose<\/em><\/p>\n

And giving a nod up the chimney he rose.<\/em><\/p>\n

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle<\/em><\/p>\n

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle<\/em><\/p>\n

But I heard him exclaim as he drew out of sight<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas to all and to all a good night.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sun was shining on the new snow when the Cartwrights woke next morning. They clattered downstairs to hug one another and open their gifts. As usual, the gifts were thoughtful, and affectionate, and greatly appreciated. Joe crouched down, and looked under the tree. \u201cHey, Pa,\u201d he said, \u201cyou forgot these ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich ones?\u201d Ben asked, confused. \u201cI\u2019ve given all mine. Adam? Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot mine,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cNor mine,\u201d chimed in Hoss.<\/p>\n

Puzzled, Joe drew the parcels towards him. \u201cThis has your name on it, Pa,\u201d he said, holding one out.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ben opened it. Inside was a handsome, leather bound book. It was one Ben had been wanting, and the boys had been unable to track down.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said, and they all watched as Adam opened his gift. It was a set of architects drawing tools. Adam had a set he\u2019d cherished for years, but they were well handled and not as good as they had once been. These ones were magnificent.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Joe said, nope enjoying the surprise.<\/p>\n

With careful fingers, Hoss opened his, and found a beautiful piece of leather. It was pale and finely cured. Hoss had been looking for such a piece to finish the new saddle he had been making for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now me,\u201d Joe said, and opened his one. The gun belt within was beautifully tooled and oiled. The leather was tan and when Joe tried it, it fitted perfectly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand where these gifts came from,\u201d Ben said. \u201cThat gun belt is perfect, and a left handed one. Those tools, and the leather, and my book\u2026 who did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still sitting on his heels by the tree, Joe smiled. \u201cI think I might know,\u201d he volunteered. \u201cI think it was Saint Nicholas himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSanta Claus?\u201d Adam scoffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, who else could that old man in the barn have been last night?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cThe Flemings didn\u2019t mention a visitor to me when I saw them a couple of days ago. And why else would we not have pressed him to stay with us? I think these just might be gifts from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever gave them to us, we must thank,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI\u2019m sure we\u2019ll discover soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

They toasted the mystery gift-giver, and had a wonderful Christmas Day.<\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/p>\n

The Flemings denied having any visitor that Christmas Eve. Nobody else had seen the little old man wearing a fur coat, and carrying a sack. No one said that they had given the gifts. Joe said no more, but he remained convinced, to his dying day, that he and his family met Santa Claus that snowy Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0Here’s the Christmas story. It\u2019s short, but fun.<\/p>\n

Rated: T \u00a0 (2,760 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":13587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,4,1007],"tags":[1098],"class_list":["post-3551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-humor","category-joe-cartwright","tag-christmas","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Christmas.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3551"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3551\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}