{"id":46649,"date":"2023-12-24T20:24:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-25T01:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46649"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:37:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:37:20","slug":"baa-baa-by-belle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46649","title":{"rendered":"Baa-Baa (by Belle)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza<\/span><\/strong>
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<\/span><\/strong>
\n* Day 1 *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Hoss helps Miss Jones make the annual Christmas pageant \u201cextra special.\u201d
\nRating:\u00a0 G
\nWords:\u00a0 2,850<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Baa-Baa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss never could figure out a way to say \u201cno\u201d to Abigail Jones.<\/p>\n

This fact was entirely the fault of his brothers \u2013 no doubt about it. Firstly, anyone with eyes could tell that Miss Jones was sweet on Adam.\u00a0\u00a0She was always a lady, mind you. You wouldn\u2019t catch Abigail Jones throwing herself at no one.\u00a0\u00a0She was much too dignified. But . . . if longing eyes could swing a lasso and frustrated sighs could tie a sturdy knot, Adam would be tied up and dragged to the altar before he could pinch the bridge of his nose.<\/p>\n

Secondly, Miss Jones liked Little Joe well enough, but she\u2019d been his schoolteacher for years. Hoss loved his younger brother to pieces, but he knew what an ornery little cuss the kid had been. Miss Jones had put up with all manner of shenanigans from the boy. While it couldn\u2019t be said that she was exactly patient with Joe, she\u2019d always been fair.<\/p>\n

All this history with his brothers made it real difficult for Hoss to say \u201cno\u201d to any request she made of him, even though she wasn\u2019t a bit sweet on him, and he hadn\u2019t even been in her class. Hoss just felt that given all the disappointment she must feel with Adam and Joe,\u00a0someone<\/em>\u00a0needed to show a little consideration.\u00a0\u00a0And it turned out that \u201csomeone\u201d was usually Hoss.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cEric! Eric?\u00a0\u00a0Do you have just a moment to speak with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, let me put these sacks in the wagon. Can you step back just a mite?\u00a0\u00a0There, that\u2019ll work. \u2018Hoss\u2019 is fine, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Er . . .\u00a0Hoss<\/em>\u00a0. . . I was wondering . . . could you do a small favor for me?\u00a0\u00a0I happen to be in charge of this year\u2019s Christmas pageant. I was thinking . . . wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful to do something different?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDifferent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u00a0\u00a0You know that every year, we have the children dress up as animals for the Nativity scene. But, what if . . .\u00a0\u00a0we had an actual sheep in the pageant! It would be much more atmospheric, don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Abigail, you know we don\u2019t have sheep at the ranch. Pa don\u2019t even like sheep much, come to think of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I know that. But you have such a way with animals that I thought that perhaps you knew of a place to borrow sheep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBorrow sheep? Can\u2019t say I ever heard of that before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll admit, I\u2019m asking for a lot. I did think of asking Adam. He\u2019s such a superb businessman, I was sure that he had sheep connections.\u00a0\u00a0I saw him just a little while ago, but he didn\u2019t hear me when I called his name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah . . . he can be a little hard of hearing sometimes. I\u2019ll be sure to let him know what he missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll help me then?\u00a0\u00a0You are the most wonderful person! Having a real, live sheep will make the pageant extra special. Now, we\u2019ll need the sheep Friday at the community center no later than 4:30.\u00a0\u00a0Are you sure it\u2019s not too much trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry about a thing, Miss Abigail.\u00a0\u00a0I believe I may have sheep connections of my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Hoss made a point of never telling a lie, especially to ladies. In fact, he did have \u201csheep connections.\u201d It just so happened that one of the fellows Hoss played horseshoes with after church was a sheep rancher. Cyril Grueber had a nice piece of fenced land where he kept a flock of sheep he raised for wool.\u00a0\u00a0While Hoss didn\u2019t know Cyril\u00a0well<\/em>, he did know him\u00a0some<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0After all, it never hurt to ask.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cBorrow a sheep? Hoss, these animals aren\u2019t bric-a-brac. This is how I make a living.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCyril, I know it. I just need one for a few days.\u00a0\u00a0A little one that the kids can handle on stage. Can\u2019t you just picture it?\u00a0\u00a0There with Mary, Joseph and the little shepherds and angels all dressed up like in the Bible?\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019ll be atmospheric.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even know what that means, but it sounds like pure foolishness to me. Eh, it\u2019s Christmas. Hmmm, most of my herd is too big for little kids to manage. Well . . . I do have one runt I can loan you.\u201d<\/p>\n

In two shakes of a lamb\u2019s tail, Cyril and his sons had a quick discussion. Then with some whistles and hollers, the boys sent a couple of furry dogs to gather up the flock and bring them in close. A few more whistles and hollers, and those dogs singled out the sheep Cyril had in mind. One of the boys grabbed a feed bucket and coaxed the animal out where they could all get a good look at it.<\/p>\n

Hoss put a cautious hand on the sheep\u2019s back. The wool felt thick and springy with a trace of oil. The sheep didn\u2019t seem to mind being touched. In fact, it seemed placid and appreciative of the food. He didn\u2019t know much about sheep, but he did know critters. This specimen looked about the right size and healthy \u2013 just noticeably smaller than the others.<\/p>\n

It was also black.<\/p>\n

\u201cCyril, I appreciate this. It\u2019s a fine-lookin\u2019 sheep and just the right size. The only thing is . . . I\u2019m guessing that Miss Abigail pictured a white sheep for the pageant. Don\u2019t you have a little white sheep I could borrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis little lady was born later than the rest \u2013 that\u2019s why she\u2019s smaller. I figure all the rest of them are too big for the kids to manage. Anyway, if you like her \u2013 I\u2019ll even let you keep her. Don\u2019t have much use for a black sheep \u2013 wool not fit to dye, ya know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pondered for a moment. He\u2019d promised Miss Abigail a sheep. Here was a sheep \u2013 healthy, polite, and just the right size.\u00a0\u00a0He reckoned the color wouldn\u2019t matter too much after all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Cyril.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll get her back to you after the pageant.\u201d He shook hands with Cyril and the boys, gave Blackie a little pat on the head, and the deal was done. They could all hear the dinner bell ringing, and Cyril wasn\u2019t in the mood to linger. The shepherds went their hasty way.<\/p>\n

Hoss hadn\u2019t really considered how to get the sheep to the ranch. It turned out to be easy enough. After getting a bucket of food from Hoss, the little sheep was content to trot along behind Chub (who was only a little skittish), and they headed slowly back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

By the time they\u2019d made it home, it was mostly dark.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss took that as a good sign.\u00a0\u00a0He really wanted to ease into this discussion with his father.\u00a0\u00a0He coaxed Blackie into the barn, checked to make sure she had straw for a bed and water, and ambled inside for his own supper.<\/p>\n

His timing couldn\u2019t have been better. The family was at the table ready to start without him (hah!) and he\u2019d worked up an appetite that only Hop Sing\u2019s pork chops and potatoes would satisfy.<\/p>\n

Hoss knew from experience that his pa was always in a better mood after a good dinner with his sons. So, he waited until Pa had settled into his chair with a lit pipe to bring up the irregularity in the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir. I borrowed a little sheep from Cyril Grueber. She\u2019s bedded down in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know where to get a sheep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you may not have realized this, but I have sheep connections.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, you can actually tell Abigail Jones, \u2018No,\u2019 once in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I could\u2019ve just pretended I didn\u2019t hear her calling me, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it will be all right.\u00a0\u00a0I want the sheep returned immediately after the pageant.\u00a0\u00a0Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Hoss hadn\u2019t known what to expect with a sheep. It turned out the animal was easy to get along with and convenient to have around to boot.<\/p>\n

Of course, he learned right quick that Blackie was a little nervous being away from her flock. Hoss could understand that being family-oriented himself.\u00a0\u00a0So, he made sure to spend as much time with her as possible. It got so she would follow him around the yard as he worked.\u00a0\u00a0She took a shine to Chub and his brothers\u2019 horses, too. They didn\u2019t seem to mind her associating with them in the corral, and she acted more relaxed in the group.<\/p>\n

His family weren\u2019t as mellow. Hoss discovered that his pa had a real prejudice about sheep in general even though Blackie was just as nice as she could be. His brothers found it all funny and Hoss had to put up with plenty of wisecracks about Blackie \u201cfollowing him to school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing was the one who discovered Blackie\u2019s usefulness. Their cook coaxed the little sheep to the weeds tangled around the garden fence, and Blackie had the area cleared in no time. After that, they all sorted of pointed her in the direction of unwanted vegetation and let her work.\u00a0\u00a0She was such a handy thing to have around it made him wonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa, Cyril mentioned that he didn\u2019t really have use for a black sheep . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Hoss and Blackie arrived in Virginia City shortly before Miss Abigail\u2019s appointed time.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d fretted a bit about putting the sheep in the wagon, but it didn\u2019t seem smart to walk her all the way from the Ponderosa to town. After all, she had a show to do. In the end, it worked out fine. Blackie seemed to enjoy the trip.<\/p>\n

He said good-bye to his pa and brothers to allow them to find seats in the audience.\u00a0\u00a0He and Blackie headed around back. It looked like every small child in the schoolhouse was part of the show somehow. They were all dressed up in some sort of Biblical costume and milling around in the alley behind the building.\u00a0\u00a0When they spotted Hoss and Blackie, the children surged forward, eager to meet their co-star.<\/p>\n

Blackie took it all in stride, allowing everyone to pat and admire her.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, the crowd around the sheep was so thick Miss Abigail couldn\u2019t even get close enough to speak quietly with the Hoss, much less get a peek at the center of attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u00a0\u00a0Avery and Daniel will be taking the sheep onto the stage. Would you please show them how to handle her?\u00a0\u00a0They\u2019ll bring her inside through that door.\u201d<\/p>\n

He waved to let the schoolteacher know he\u2019d heard and understood. For the next few minutes, he was focused on gaining control of the sheep and the children.\u00a0\u00a0Didn\u2019t want either to be hurt in all the excitement. He explained carefully to everyone involved how to treat her and how to coax her where they wanted her to go using food.\u00a0\u00a0He supposed that he could have let the children take her inside, but he\u2019d come this far with Blackie.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d just carried the bleating sheep over the threshold like a wooly bride when Abigail Jones got her first look at the sheep.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss! That is a black sheep!\u201d She didn\u2019t quite holler at him, but she came close.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am. This was the only small sheep I could get. The other \u2018uns was too big for the kids to manage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abigail Jones stood looking at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. Her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to say something, and she twisted her hands as if she wanted to grab something. Finally, her ladylike dignity carried the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Thank you for all your trouble. I\u2019m sure it will be fine. The show must go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Uh-oh. That didn\u2019t sound like \u201cfine\u201d to Hoss. There was no help for it, though. She\u2019d asked for a sheep, and he\u2019d found a sheep \u2013 a real nice sheep, in fact. Hoss couldn\u2019t think of anything else to say or do, so he headed to the audience to join his family.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

All things considered, the Christmas pageant went very well. The older children came out and recited Christmas poems they\u2019d written (Little Joe slept through those), sang an assortment of Christmas carols, and performed a short dance created by Miss Jones herself.\u00a0\u00a0(Little Joe giggled through that).<\/p>\n

Finally, the stage was cleared and reset for the telling of the Christmas story. Poor Mary and Joseph went from house to house in Bethlehem looking for a room. Finally, an innkeeper pointed them toward the barn. The stage went dark momentarily, and when the lights were turned back up, the \u201cbaby\u201d was lying in the manger.<\/p>\n

A chorus of tiny angels sang off key in celebration of the blessed event.\u00a0\u00a0Just as they finished their song of rejoicing, the two shepherds entered, holding a fistful of straw in front of Blackie\u2019s nose to encourage her to join the scene. They led her right to the front of the stage where her dark wool made a nice contrast to the white robes of the little angel chorus.<\/p>\n

It would be accurate to say that Blackie was a sensation. Sadly, the reaction from the audience wasn\u2019t quite what Miss Abigail had hoped.<\/p>\n

Hoss couldn\u2019t believe what a big fuss people were making about one little black sheep \u2013 and folks weren\u2019t keeping their disapproving remarks quiet, either. In fact, they were loud enough to distract the children on stage who stopped performing altogether in confusion.\u00a0\u00a0Even Blackie was looking downcast.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t stay quiet any longer when he saw poor Miss Abigail peeking around the curtain, hand over her mouth and tears glittering in her eyes.<\/p>\n

He passed his hat which he\u2019d been clutching in his lap to his father and stood up to address the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want everyone in here to pipe down and listen to me. Yes, that means you, Jedidiah. We all heard your opinion on black sheep. Now, you\u2019re all going to hear my opinion.<\/p>\n

First of all, Miss Abigail and the children have done a real nice job with this Christmas pageant and this brouhaha just ain\u2019t respectful to them.<\/p>\n

Second, it seems to me that folks here have forgotten the meaning of this holiday and the reason for this pageant.<\/p>\n

I keep hearing people talk about how black sheep are different, and that they\u2019re unlucky, and not useful.\u00a0\u00a0Someone even said it was bad to show a black sheep next to the baby Jesus \u2018cause being a black sheep is something people call sinners.<\/p>\n

Last I heard, every one of us is a sinner. In fact, the only reason we have any chance at Heaven is because of the baby Jesus being born here on Earth. There\u2019s a story in the Bible about the shepherd who leaves a big ol\u2019 flock just to save one sheep that\u2019s gone astray. Sounds to me like Jesus wasn\u2019t giving up on sinners no matter what color wool.<\/p>\n

You know what I think? Blackie here, who is the nicest little sheep you could ever meet, is just about perfect for this pageant. We can\u2019t all be pure as the driven snow, can we?\u00a0\u00a0Having a little black sheep here is . . . is . . . Adam, what\u2019s the word I\u2019m lookin\u2019 for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSymbolic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the one. Having a black sheep, different, unlucky, sinful \u2013 whatever you want to call it is symbolic of all the sinners Jesus was born to save. I think everyone in here owes Miss Abigail and the children an apology for the ruckus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat down to the smiles and loving touches of his family and waited. It took a few moments, but the people of Virginia City did not disappoint him. The applause started slowly and built quickly to a thunderous standing ovation. Miss Abigail and the children were all smiles and laughter \u2013 patting and praising Blackie for being such a good symbol of God\u2019s love for mankind.<\/p>\n

It took quite a while for the crowd to thin out enough for Hoss to go see about Blackie.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d just gotten within arm\u2019s reach of the sheep when Cyril Grueber appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, that was some speech. I know I said you could keep the sheep, but Mrs. Taylor says that she can use wool just that color, and she\u2019d like to buy Blackie\u2019s fleece in the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake her back to her flock, Cyril. She\u2019s been missing them something awful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave Blackie a last pat on the head and watched Cyril lead her outside. He couldn\u2019t help himself; he was gonna miss her.<\/p>\n

Just as he was heading outside to join his family, Miss Abigail appeared at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, thank you again for the sheep . . . and for the speech. It was perfect. You are so wise. I was really moved by your words.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink nothing of it. I\u2019m happy to help. Sorry that folks got silly about Blackie \u2013 that wasn\u2019t called for.\u00a0\u00a0Have a Merry Christmas, Miss Abigail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0You do the same. There\u2019s just something I was wondering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss . . . I was wondering . . . if maybe . . . do you sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX MERRY CHRISTMAS XXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

My 2023 Advent Calendar prompt was: “The shepherds went their hasty way” from <\/em>The Shepherds Went their Hasty Way<\/a> by Samuel Taylor Coleridge<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Link to Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar – Day 2 – We Are Merry<\/a> by PSW<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Hoss helps Miss Jones make the annual Christmas pageant \u201cextra special.\u201d
\nRating:\u00a0 G
\nWords:\u00a0 2,850
\nWritten for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":5835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1006],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-46649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hoss-cartwright","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1006-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":536,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35076,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35076","url_meta":{"origin":46649,"position":0},"title":"A Bonbon Too Far (by Sierra Girl)","author":"Sierra Girl","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Beware gifts that fall into the wrong hands. When a little brother sees an opportunity to make an easy buck, trouble ensues in a fun Christmas prequel of misunderstandings, tipsy Irishmen and bonbons. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 5,164 words Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48084,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48084","url_meta":{"origin":46649,"position":1},"title":"Raffle a Cartwright (by mo1427)","author":"mo1427","date":"March 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam is raffled off for a date, but he's not the one who's worried.\u00a0 Rating: G, Word Count: 668","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/S03.24_Wooing-of-Abigail-Jones-12.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/S03.24_Wooing-of-Abigail-Jones-12.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/S03.24_Wooing-of-Abigail-Jones-12.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/S03.24_Wooing-of-Abigail-Jones-12.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/S03.24_Wooing-of-Abigail-Jones-12.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35292,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35292","url_meta":{"origin":46649,"position":2},"title":"Knitted Memories (by wx4rmk)","author":"wx4rmk","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Mrs. Jones is at a loss for a gift for her daughter, Abigail.\u00a0 However, a memory from Adam sparks her imagination. Rating:\u00a0 G 1,215 words Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15738,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15738","url_meta":{"origin":46649,"position":3},"title":"Angels, In Spite of it All (by Questfan)","author":"Questfan","date":"December 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar - Day 24 Summary:\u00a0 Virginia City awaits the highly anticipated Nativity play.\u00a0 Thankfully, anyone can be an angel when there is a need. 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