CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHRISTMAS ©
Christmas Day dawned with eery quiet at Sugarloaf Inn. The children had been so busy with preparations for the day and their holiday activities that sleep found them all exhausted each night. Louisa had insisted that as it was a holiday, they didn’t have to get out of bed until they were ready.
The novelty of lie-ins wore off after the first two days however and they were all soon back to eating breakfast together, although it was a little later than normal.
They dressed for church after breakfast and made the trip into town. Rev and Mrs Duncan greeted them with warm smiles and wishes at the entrance.
It was a merry trip home with the traditional Jingle Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. Although John could not quite work out if you were so merry, why you would want to go to bed and rest!
On entering the Inn the children were all eager to take Louisa into the bar to show her the tree. Having no living room other than the kitchen, she had decided that the bar would suffice for their festivities. She would not go in there until invited by the children, it could be their domain until after Christmas. They had spent the last two days in there decorating the tree.
“You all go in, while I just nip upstairs for something,” hurrying she made her way to her bedroom for the presents she had lovingly wrapped for them all.
On opening the bar door she was greeted with another chorus of Jingle Bells and much squealing from Willy and Ethel, who were besides themselves with excitement.
The tree took her breath away. It was a large branch from a silver dollar gum. It was festooned with daisies, (that were looking the worst for wear) coloured paper chains and red berries made into garlands strung throughout the branches.
“Oh my, what a gorgeous Christmas tree, you all have done a wonderful job. Do you know the best part though? she asked.
“What Mumma?” they all chimed in together.
“The seven little elves standing around it,” she cried, gathering them all into a hug resulting in them all ending up on the floor.
“What do you have there, Mumma,” asked Peter, peering around her at the bag she had dropped on entering.
“Well let’s all get comfortable and we’ll see,” she said as she handed out each child’s gift. She thought of her shopping trip and the quarrel she had with herself on appropriate gifts for the children. Yes, she could have bought them sensible clothes or shoes, but she had finally won the argument with herself and opted for something frivolous or just plain fun. Watching their faces as they opened their present, she was delighted with her choices.
Leaving them to play while she headed to the kitchen to cook dinner, she thanked Alfred once again for providing for them all so well. Yes life without him was still a terrible ache in her heart, but she still had her children and his legacy.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The year finished without event. Louisa reflected on the past year with sorrow and hope that the following year would improve.
Early in the new year the Magistrate called, to give her the form to complete, to obtain her Publican’s Licence. Until the end of June he had no problems with her continuing under her deceased husband’s licence.
She thought of her young family with pride.
It was hard not to be proud of them. They were all growing so quickly. Alfred was a serious minded young man. His thoughts were turning towards farming and as there was plenty of land attached to the Inn, Louisa encouraged him in this pursuit. She bought sheep and he ran them in the back paddock. She was very proud of his efforts as he turned fourteen, he had a hundred head of sheep.
Magnus was happy to follow along with any plans of Alfred’s. He only seemed happy when reading about adventures on the sea and boating books.
Peter was the thinker of the family. He revelled in helping her around the bar. At nearly ten years of age, she wondered where his childhood had gone. He would spend his nights doing the ordering and stockkeeping of the cellar for her. All she usually had to do was run a quick eye over his lists and give her approval. But she worried about Peter, he was a very serious lad, with a keen sense of justice. She hoped that it would not lead him into danger one day.
John was still a lost soul. He idolised little Ethel and she followed him around like a puppy. He was nearing his tenth birthday and wanted to get work in town. Louisa felt he would be better employed at home and she could use his help around the Inn. In a few more years, she supposed she would have to let him have his way.
George, William and Ethel, were the only ones who seemed unaffected by the turn of events in the past year. They all loved the outdoors and spent most of their time there. Their childhood still seemed intact as they played together and they were very close.
“Mam, some of my sheep have got through the fence and are heading down the road. Magnus has gone after them on foot. I am going on Jasper, if you see Peter can you send him down to help us? Why is Peter never around when you want him?” Alfred, sounding like his father, yelled as he slammed his hat on his head and rushed back out the door.
Oh Alfred dear, she thought, was I right to buy him sheep? I am not sure our son is shepherd material after all. This is just what we need, she thought, roaming sheep!
LICENCEE AND SHEPHERDS! ©
The year finished without event. Louisa reflected on the past year with sorrow and hope that the following year would improve.
Early in the new year the Magistrate called, to give her the form to complete, to obtain her Publican’s Licence. Until the end of June he had no problems with her continuing under her deceased husband’s licence.
She thought of her young family with pride.
It was hard not to be proud of them. They were all growing so quickly. Alfred was a serious minded young man. His thoughts were turning towards farming and as there was plenty of land attached to the Inn, Louisa encouraged him in this pursuit. She bought sheep and he ran them in the back paddock. She was very proud of his efforts as he turned fourteen, he had a hundred head of sheep.
Magnus was happy to follow along with any plans of Alfred’s. He only seemed happy when reading about adventures on the sea and boating books.
Peter was the thinker of the family. He revelled in helping her around the bar. At nearly ten years of age, she wondered where his childhood had gone. He would spend his nights doing the ordering and stockkeeping of the cellar for her. All she usually had to do was run a quick eye over his lists and give her approval. But she worried about Peter, he was a very serious lad, with a keen sense of justice. She hoped that it would not lead him into danger one day.
John was still a lost soul. He idolised little Ethel and she followed him around like a puppy. He was nearing his tenth birthday and wanted to get work in town. Louisa felt he would be better employed at home and she could use his help around the Inn. In a few more years, she supposed she would have to let him have his way.
George, William and Ethel, were the only ones who seemed unaffected by the turn of events in the past year. They all loved the outdoors and spent most of their time there. Their childhood still seemed intact as they played together and they were very close.
“Mam, some of my sheep have got through the fence and are heading down the road. Magnus has gone after them on foot. I am going on Jasper, if you see Peter can you send him down to help us? Why is Peter never around when you want him?” Alfred, sounding like his father, yelled as he slammed his hat on his head and rushed back out the door.
Oh Alfred dear, she thought, was I right to buy him sheep? I am not sure our son is shepherd material after all. This is just what we need, she thought, roaming sheep!
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