- After Jason meets two children on a cold winter day, two days before Christmas, he takes them back to where they had run away from and helps the boy get to the truth about Randy Stoddard and exactly how he was shot. Along with that, Jason helps Julius Perrin, running a makeshift orphanage, fight Randy's father, Martin, who is trying to run Perrin out of town.—Michelle
- Two children were out in the wilderness on a cold evening. They had a ways to go, and Mike told Abby to drink while she could. Jason saw them and rode up to them. He watched the girl try to drink from the water. Ewww! she declared, not enjoying the taste of the water at all. Mike softly stated that horses and cows drank it, so it couldnt be that bad.
You two out here all alone? Jason asked as he walked up to the two children. The children, suddenly fearful of this big man who stood over them, jumped up. Mike clung to Abigail protectively. Jason gently offered them some chow. Did Mr. Stoddard send you out here to get me? Mike suddenly asked fearfully.
Mr. Martin Stoddard over in New Hope? Jason asked.
I knew it! Well, I aint going back! Mike cried. Jason assured the children Mr. Stoddard hadnt sent him. He was on his way to New Hope to do some work for him.
Hes got a gun, the little girl observed as she clung to Mike. Jason quickly hid the gun so it wouldnt scare the little girl. And hes bigger than all the other ones!
Jason lowered himself to be closer to the children, wondering which other ones the little girl was talking about. The ones who are working for Mr. Stoddard, Mike answered. Jason quickly introduced himself and told them he was on his way to New Hope to build a new water system for their city.
Now, how about the three of us having a nice, hot supper, huh?
They ate heartedly. Mike was sure glad Jason hadnt come to get him. He sure was obliged for the food! Mike said they had to be getting. We have to find a Texas Ranger, Abigail announced.
Well, that may take a long time, Jason said softly. Why dont you wait for good weather. Go back home now.
I cant go back home! Mike argued. Jason told them he sure wouldnt run off two days before Christmas!
Mikes scared to go back! Abigail declared. He shot Mr. Stoddards son.
Im not scared! Mike suddenly shouted. But nobody will listen to me unless I can get a big law man likelike a Texas ranger to MAKE them listen! Jason gently told Mike hed listen. I didnt shoot at nobody, Mr. McCord. Abigail explained to Jason that Randy Stoddard got an awful bullet hole in his shoulder and might die. I didnt shoot him! Mike cried desperately.
Mike, I know how it feels to be blamed for something you didnt do. But the best way to settle it is to go back and face up. Mike was still leery. Jason promised him hed talk to Mr. Stoddard and his folks.
We aint got no folks, Abigail announced then. Just Mr. Perrin. Jason looked towards Mike for an explanation.
Did he adopt you? Jason asked.
Hm? Mike looked blank.
Adopt you?
Wellhe just takes care of kids who aint got folks. He has eight kids in all. And Mr. Stoddards awful angry at him. He says hes gonna make him take all the kids and get out of New Hope. Thats why we just gotta find a Texas Ranger! Abigail nodded her confirmation to Jason.
Look kidsI think you better ride back with me to New Hope in the morning, Jason said sternly. I dont know if Ill do as well as a Texas Ranger, but I sure will do my best. Jason smiled, trying to ease their minds.
You wont let them hang me? Mike asked.
Jason leaned forward to look Mike right in the eye. MikeThe law wont allow anybody to hang a young boy.
But in New Hope, Mr. Stoddard IS the law! Jason looked to Abigail who gave him a slight nod.
The moment they rode into town, two cowboys told Jason to hold up. Whered you find the Indian pup? One of them asked.
Outside town. Im taking them home, Jason answered.
Thanks. Weve been looking for him. The cowboy told Jason to hand him down.
I said Im taking him home!
The cowboy took the gun from his holster. I said hand him down. Jason looked at the children, then back at the cowboy.
Alright. Jason slid silently off the back of his horse and reached up to Mike. NO! Mike cried. Jason moved his lips as if to tell him to stay quiet, then quickly turned and punched the men giving the orders. Then he pulled his gun on them.
Your starting a lot of trouble, Mister! Martin Stoddards got business with that kid.
And Ive got business with Stoddard myself. Where is he? The cowboy assured Jason hed hear from him. Alright. Pick up that gun and move out. They did as they were told knowing they had no choice. Jason re-holstered his gun then climbed back up on his horse behind the children. They smiled at him.
They rode for the Perrin place. The kids and Mr. Perrin rejoiced when the door opened and Jason presented the two missing children. Mike quickly explained who Jason was. Mr. Perrin automatically wondered if the children had eaten. Jason assured him hed fed them. Mr. Perrin told the two children to join the others. Then he apologized to Jason for forgetting his manners. Mr. Perrin complimented Jason on his coat, but declared he could have done better with the hat. Jason laughed, admitting that his hat was in pretty bad shape.
Mr. Perrin again thanked Jason for bringing the two little ones home. He explained that he was sick with worry, but he couldnt leave the other children to go looking for Mike and Abigail. I have this rushed order for the doctor, and if I finish tonight there will be money for Santa Clause.
Jason wondered how he had come upon his family. OhDebra came first. A little baby all alone in a covered wagon, crying beside her dead father and mother. Disease took them. Jason was surprised this tailor had taken on a baby all alone. Nobody would touch her. He said then there were fiveeightThen next week there will be ten. He smiled about it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Word gets around. They just send them to me now.
Jason stood and walked over to Mr. Perrin as he worked. Mike told me about the Stoddard boy getting shot, Jason announced in a hushed voice.
He went with Randy. And he told me it was the boys idea to take Stoddards gun. But about the shooting, he wont say anything. Jason assured him hed go see Stoddard and try to straighten it out.
Mr. Stoddard thanked him, but told him it was too late. For a long time, he wants me to go from this town. Now the shooting gives him a better reason. He bought the mortgage on this shop. Now I owe him for a long time back. Now he wants me to be out next week before the new year.
Well doesnt he realize youre doing the whole towns job? Youre running a home for orphins!
You seeIn some ways, Martin Stoddard is a good man. All alone, he built this town. Only this shop is an eye-sore with him. He wants to tear it down. Jason said Stoddard should be paying him. Im different. My speaking aint so good, and I dont go to their churches. So, Mr. Stoddard and this towndont understand me. To them, Mike is not a little boy. Hes an Indiana savage. Do you know what it feels like to be different, to be an outcast?
Yes, Mr. Perrin. But youre not a criminal. Jason advised him not to let them buy him out like he was one.
But you cant force people to like you, Mr. Perrin explained.
But you CAN force them to respect you.
At Mr. Stoddards house, his son Randy was desperately trying to tell him something. Martin kept trying to tell him to stay quiet. Stoddard and the doctor talked. Dr. Coats told him it didnt look good. The bullet was dirty. There would be complications infection.
As the doctor and Stoddard came down the stairs, Grace Stoddard ran up to them, begging the doctor to tell her about her son. Dr. Coats assured her he was doing everything he could. Stoddard was upset. He was trying to raise a town with fine, Christian boys could grow up to be young men. Is this the tanks I get? My boy to be shot? Dr. Coats assured him hed be back after making some calls.
Jason had been waiting quietly by the Christmas tree. He stepped forward and introduced himself, explaining that he was the engineer hed hired. Stoddard apologized, informing Jason hed come at a bad time. His son was very ill. He had a meeting with the town council on the new town hall. I know its Christmas Eve, Jason started on a different topic. But theres the matter ofJulius Perrin and his children. Immediately, Stoddard wanted to know what Jason knew about it. Jason explained he found Mike after he ran away.
SoYou brought the Indian kid back. The one who stole my gun and shot my boy. Jason suggested it was an accident. No such thing! Being raised by a man like Julius PerrinThat kids a godless savage! All those kids are animals! Im clearing them out of this town! Perrin announced angrily.
Like sweeping the dirt under the rug if you cant see it, its not there. Is that it? Jason questioned Stoddard as he walked up behind him.
That made Stoddard angry. Who do you think you are??? I just want that Indian kid.
And I dont think we should turn him over until we have a chance to talk to your boy, Jason answered him.
Youre not going to see my boy. You dont have a job here anymore, Mr. McCord. I suggest you leave.
You decide about everybody who stays and leaves this town? Jason asked then. Stoddard ordered him to get out.
The cowboy who had caused all the trouble in town, Regan, saw Jason leave. I want you to get Perrin and his kids out of here. Ive taken enough. Nobody can blame me for foreclosing a few days early. Give them a wagon and team andGive them this one-hundred dollars. Make them get out of here tonight! Stoddard ordered.
Regan did as he was told. The children, oblivious to what was going on, were excited about the fact that it was Christmas Eve night. Where shall I go? How can I get another shop for so little? What will become of the children?
Jason felt bad for Perrin. Stoddard cant make you leave tonight. Perrin said Stoddards man said hed wait at the edge of town with the hundred dollars.
But I will not go. It is bad enough for the children not to have Christmas, but to have no home on ChristmasNOI will not go tonight!
Suddenly, Mike and Abigail were there begging for Mr. Perrin to tell them a Christmas story. They led Mr. Perrin to the table. The Night Before Christmas, Abigail pleaded.
Now let me seeThe Night Before ChristmasIts a good storyA very fine story. Only the beginningThe beginning I forget.
Twas the night before Christmas Abigail started.
Oh thats the beginning? But thats the name of it!
Jason smiled at the scene, but came to the rescue, knowing Mr. Perrin didnt know the story. I think it allgoes like this. Jason walked up to the table. Gentle as could be, he started telling the story. Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNot a creature was stirringNot evena..mouse!
Meanwhile, Stoddard was meeting with the town council. He presented the keys to the new Grange Hall. The men cheered. He stated it was just another step in the plans he had for New Hope. I want a bright, clean, shiny townA proud town! Next week Im tearing down the old saddle shop, and the rickety tailor shop next to it. Im going to build a new church thereso we dont have to depend on a circuit parson passing through here on Sundays.
While Stoddard was making his speech, Jason went back to Stoddards house to see him. Grace assured him she didnt know when hed be home. When he does come home, will you speak to him about Mr. Perrin and those kids? Jason asked softly. Grace admitted she hardly knew her husband these last few days. Hed always been kind and generous. Jason begged Grace to talk Stoddard into giving Mr. Perrin some time. The old man was trying hard to make a suit so he could earn a few dollars to make a Christmas for those kids. Well, he ran out of time. Now the best they can hope for is to wake up tomorrow morning with a little candy and a few balloons I got for them. Dont let Mr. Stoddard take that away. Dont let him run those kids out on Christmas eve.
Grace was moved by Jasons speech. She assured Jason shed try to talk to her husband. Little did they know that above, Randy was listening.
When Jason got back to Perrins place, he found two men trying to force Perrin out of the house. Jason immediately started fighting them. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard came in while this was going on. Youve got the real Christmas spirit, havent you, Stoddard? Jason lit into him. But Stoddard didnt want to listen. He announced that Randy was gone. His wife had told him Jason was there. If Jason said anything to send the boy away
I didnt even see him, Jason said quietly.
If anything happens to him, Ill kill you!
If you sand there making threats, you may kill the boy, Jason informed him.
Suddenly, another cowboy came in, announcing Randy had been found. Stoddard ran out the door. Jason and Grace followed him into the new Grange Hall where the docotr was examining the boy. Dr. Coats was surprised. His infection seemed to be down. I guess being out in the cold and the snow must have helped.
Dad, I was going to Mr. Perrins to see Mike and the other kids, Randy explained. Dad, Mikes my very best friend. I was taking some of the presents to the kids. Dr. Coats announced that when Randy had been found, he was dragging a bag of toys. McCord said theyre not going to have anything tomorrow. Mike didnt shoot me, Dad. He didnt steal the gun either. I did. Randy had tried to tell him, but he was so mad. Stoddard wondered why the Indian boy didnt say anything. I guess he was scared that nobody would believe him. He knew you told me never to go near that gun case. We only wanted to play Cowboys. He tried to talk me out of it.
The gun had gone off. Mike had tried to carry him home.
It was Stoddards turn to face Mr. Perrin. I guess when a man gets so big and important, he can tear down old buildings and put up what he likes. Seems I did the same with people. Jason assured Stoddard hed done a lot of good things for New Home including the new orphanage hed just built.
New orphanage? Mr. Perrin questioned.
Yes. Mr. Stoddards painter made a mistake on the sign outside. It says Grange Hall. Jason turned back to look pointedly at Stoddard.
Oh yesof coursethe orphanage Stoddard laughed nervously. Ill have that sign taken care of right away.
Christmas day was wonderful in the new orphanage. Mr. Perrin declared that was his first Christmas Day. Stoddard declared he didnt want Mr. Perrin to give up his tailor business. He wanted two new suits! He also wanted Jason to get started on his jobright after Christmas!
Mike had a Christmas gift for Jason: a wooden saber. Merry Christmas, kids! Jason declared. The children all said Merry Christmas back.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Jason said again.
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