William W. Johnstone by A Lone Star Christmas

Author:A Lone Star Christmas [Christmas, A Lone Star]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Cattle Stealing, Cattle Drives, Western Stories, Westerns, Christmas Stories, Fiction, Blizzards, Jensen; Smoke (Fictitious Character), General
ISBN: 9780786028498
Publisher: Pinnacle
Published: 2011-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Onboard Special Train Number One, November 14

In the cab of the 2-4-2 Baldwin locomotive, Engineer Clem Beale and Fireman Jerry Kelly were illuminated by the yellow cabin lights. Beale looked at the steam-pressure gauge, then checked the water level.

“I’m glad we’re comin’ up on the Lajunta tank,” Beale said. “We’ve been keepin’ a lot of pressure and we’re using water like it’s passin’ through a sieve.”

“Ahh, we’re in good shape to make it to the tank,” Kelly said. He opened the door to the firebox then tossed in another few shovelfuls of coal. Slamming the door shut, he leaned back against the side of the cab, pulled out a large red bandana, and wiped the sweat from his face.

“Say, Clem, have you ever heard of Santy Claus?” Kelly asked.

“Of course I’ve heard of Santa Claus,” Beale replied. “Why would you ask a question like that?”

“I wasn’t sure whether you had, seein’ as you ain’t married and don’t have any kids or nothin’,” Kelly said. “But my two kids is just full of it. I told ’em, it’s more than a month ’till Christmas, it ain’t time to be worryin’ about anything like that yet. But that ain’t quietened ’em down any.”

Beale chuckled. “What are you goin’ to do, Jerry? Get yourself one of them red Santa Claus suits?”

“Nah, I’ll just wait ’til they’re both asleep, then tell ’em they didn’t wake up in time to see him.”

“Ha, I’m glad I don’t have any kids to worry about with Santa Claus and such things,” Beale said.

“It ain’t really that big a worry when you think about it,” Kelly said. “I kind of like it.”

Beale smiled and nodded at his friend. “That’s because you are a good Pa.”

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