She gave him a watch, a thick silver watch that had been made by some
German craftsman and had somehow found its way to the sutler's store at
Fort Laramie. Joe gazed at it, not believing what he saw. Watches were
luxuries, thus they were only for those who could afford luxuries. Joe
turned the key. He held the watch to his ear so he could hear its
ticking.
In the middle of a wilderness, on their way to another, owning only what
they could load on a wagon, they sat very close and knew the true spirit
of Christmas. They watched the minute hand, amazed at how slowly time
passed when you were looking at it, and then they laughed again, free
and hearty laughter that can be born only of hope and faith in the
future.