The Autobiography of Ruth Tagg Caley

on their way into town and leave me at Sandford's. Winnie would join us as she was only ½ mileaway. Winnie, Eva, and I would go out and round up the cows for Sandford and feed thechickens. By that time Packard's would call for me on their way home. The weather was stillcold and Mr. Packard thought it was too cold for the children to ride that distance to school.They would either have to stay home or move into the village. So they decided they'd movecloser to school.People didn't own cars those days and even if they did they couldn't run them in wintertime on account of them freezing up and couldn't get them started. The day came for thePackard's to move. Teams and wagons were being loaded, while I helped wash dishes and fruitjars, and helped pack them into boxes. I must have washed dishes for hours. Mrs. Packard said,"My goodness aren't you tired?" I was, but told another little fib. I said no, I wanted to help herall I could because I didn't want people to think I was lazy. After all she washed my clothes forme on the wash board. We rode into Glenwoodville on the last load.It was near Christmas time. I told them about our Christmas in England. We never sawour lighted Christmas tree until Christmas morning. We figured Santa did that while we wereasleep. (Of course I knew there was no Santa, but I was a good pretender, as Inez and Shirleywere listening.) We used to have a fire in the fireplace and roast our chestnuts and watch them asthey baked brown and popped open. We also didn't think it was Christmas without a large box ofbon-bon’s as we called them. You pull both ends of a roll of fancy paper and they go off like afirecracker, and inside you find a paper hat or whistle. Here in America they use them forbirthdays. In my stocking I always found a new bright penny, two colored candles, apple, orange,nuts, candy, several small toys. In England they hang toys on the tree, small toys of course.My last Christmas in England I remember well. I got a doll buggy and doll and a wovenchair, a parasol, and a play stove. All these toys came from a family who lived two houses away,as they were selling out. I think my mother gave sixpence for the buggy. It was leather and invery good condition. Sixpence in those days was equal to thirteen cents. I always found my oldrubber ball in the very top of my stocking and it annoyed me. Father said my stocking was toolong and it took a lot to fill it up.The Packard children laughed and said you must have been a naughty girl or Santa shouldhave put a new one in. It was nearly Christmas, only a week away, I didn't even think about whatI'd get this time. I didn't expect to have anything. One afternoon a knock came at the door. Mrs.Packard hollered "Come in." It was Steve. I was so glad to see him. He said "Get your duds on"(my first Christmas in Canada) I looked at him and said "What's that?" He said, "Your hat andcoat. Your pa wants you home for Christmas." I was so happy I squealed for joy. Mrs. Packardsaid, “When you come to town come and see us sometime.” Steve put me up in the saddle of hishorse and took me home, only two miles away. My father was waiting for me. The mostprecious Christmas gift I could have had. I was very happy to see him again. The twin girlscame home for Christmas, and brother Jim came in from a distant town. At least we weretogether, some of us. We didn't have a very elaborate Christmas. Father made us a suet puddingwith raisins like mother used to make in England.Ruth Tagg Caley pg 16