Grandmother Gordon’s Locket
All the Brownies and Veve clustered about Connie to see the locket
which she had found in the pocket of the silk wedding dress. Inside
were the pictures of Grandmother and Grandfather Gordon, taken on the
day of their marriage.
“So this is the locket you were certain Mrs. Stone took?” Miss Gordon
asked teasingly. “It seems Grandfather was right after all.”
“Oh, dear, I’m heartily ashamed of myself,” Grandmother Gordon
apologized. “I never should have blamed Mrs. Stone. I realize now what
must have happened.”
“After you showed her the locket that day in the kitchen, you dropped
it into your pocket and forgot the matter entirely.”
“Yes, that must have been what happened,” agreed Mrs. Gordon. “After
the wedding anniversary celebration, I packed the gown into the attic
trunk and never looked at it again.”
“And all these long years, you misjudged poor Mrs. Stone.”
“Yes, I’m afraid I did,” Mrs. Gordon sighed. “But you may be sure I’ll
make it up to her. I’ll ask her to work for me again, and I’ll see that
the children have more things. Oh, I’m ashamed of myself! Had it not
been for Connie and the Brownies, I might never have learned the truth.”
Now Connie felt very happy to think that she had been credited with
clearing up the misunderstanding between Grandmother Gordon and Mrs.
Stone. She knew too, that recovery of the gold locket meant a great
deal to her.
Throughout the day, with plenty of firewood available, the house was
kept quite comfortable. The girls made repeated trips to the attic,
sorting out clothing which could be sent to the Stone children.
Wind rattled the windows and cold crept in at the cracks. After a quick
foray in the attic, the Brownies were grateful for the warmth of the
downstairs fire.
“I hope our wood holds out,” Grandmother Gordon said anxiously. “And
our food.”
Although the Brownies were glad to share their meager supplies with the
Stones, they knew that the stock of provisions rapidly was running
lower and lower.
However, everyone was hopeful that somehow Grandfather Gordon would get
home with the bobsled.
“The sun is shining,” Connie observed cheerfully as the day wore on.
“And the wind is dying,” added Jane, scraping a patch of frost from the
window pane so that she could look outdoors.
By late afternoon everyone was encouraged to see that the snow no
longer drifted. Nevertheless, huge mountains of it remained piled up
near the porches and in the yard. Slowly the thermometer began to climb.
“The big plow should come through soon and open up the main roads,”
declared Mrs. Gordon. “I do believe luck will be with us for Christmas
after all.”
Her words brought good cheer to the Brownies. Gathering in the living
room, they drove the blues away with several rousing songs.
“Here comes the snowplow!” Veve suddenly shouted.
All the Brownies rushed to the window to see the welcome sight. The
plow swept past on the main road, throwing up tall ridges of powdery
snow on either side.
“Grandfather Gordon and Mr. Jeffert should be able to get through now,”
declared Miss Gordon in relief.
Her prediction proved entirely right. Almost on the heels of the big
plow came the two men, their sled loaded with groceries and Christmas
packages.
Stomping into the kitchen, Mr. Jeffert and Grandfather Gordon brushed
snow from their overcoats. Then they related astonishing news.
“What do you know!” declared Mr. Jeffert, rocking back on his heels as
he warmed himself by the kitchen stove. “After trying for two years to
learn who has been stealing evergreens from my farm, I’ve caught the
fellow!”
“You’ve caught the thief!” Connie exclaimed in astonishment.
“Rather, the storm did,” Mr. Jeffert corrected.
“Who is the man, and where did you take him?” demanded Jane, all ears
for the story.
“I should have said I know his name,” Mr. Jeffert amended. “Police are
looking for him now, so it’s only a matter of hours until they place
him under arrest.”
“Who is the man?” asked Connie. “Not Mr. Stone?”
“No, I know now that he had nothing to do with it.”
“Do tell us his name,” pleaded Sunny impatiently.
“Felix Gossart.”
“The man who has the farm next to yours!” exclaimed Connie.
“Yes, it’s strange that I never once suspected him. He would much
rather earn his money dishonestly than by hard work.”
Now Veve and Connie were startled to hear that Mr. Gossart was the
guilty party, for they recalled that he was the same man who had
refused to give them a ride during the blizzard.
“How did you find out it was Mr. Gossart?” asked Connie curiously.
“His truck loaded with evergreens stalled in a big snowdrift about four
miles from here,” Mr. Jeffert revealed. “When he failed to get through,
he abandoned the load and set off afoot.”
“Mr. Jeffert was able to identify the trees as his, so he swore out a
warrant for Gossart’s arrest,” added Grandfather Gordon.
As soon as they were warm, the men brought in all the boxes of
groceries from the bobsled, and unhitched the horses. With ample
supplies now on hand, Grandmother Gordon began at once to make plans
for Christmas.
“We’ll invite the entire Stone family here for a holiday feast,” she
declared. “Grandfather, as soon as you can, you must take some things
to their cabin, and extend the invitation.”
“And what about our parents?” Eileen asked anxiously. “Will they get
here for Christmas Day?”
Now that was the question which no one could answer.
“We should know quite soon,” said Grandfather Gordon. “The telephone
lines still are down, so I can’t call the Deerford station.”
“How are the trains running?” inquired Grandmother Gordon.
“Probably about two hours behind schedule,” replied Mr. Gordon. “I’ll
drive to town and find out.”
“Let’s finish decorating the house and make our plans exactly as if we
were certain everyone will get here,” proposed Miss Gordon.
The Brownies went to work with a will. They helped Grandmother Gordon
clean the entire house, polish the silver and put extra boards in the
dining room table.
Although they could not be certain their parents ever would arrive to
see the beautiful decorations, they hung gold stars in the windows.
A large holly wreath was tacked on the front door. Candles were placed
in every room, ready for instant lighting.
Late in the afternoon, a sleigh with gay bells jingling drove up to
the door. Out stepped a white-bearded man. Behind him he dragged a
Christmas tree, cut evergreen branches, and an array of packages.
“Santa Claus has arrived!” shouted Veve from the window.
“It’s Mr. Jeffert,” laughed Connie, “He’s bringing our Christmas tree.”
Mr. Jeffert could not stay long, but he helped the Brownies set up the
tree in the living room. Its tall tip nearly brushed the ceiling.
“What are all these packages?” Eileen asked curiously, as Mr. Jeffert
dropped them at the base of the tree.
“Oh, just a few doo-dads for the Brownies,” laughed Mr. Jeffert. “I
bought them while I was in Goshen. No fair peeking until tomorrow
though.”
After the owner of the evergreen farm had driven away in his sleigh,
the girls trimmed the tree with shiny colored balls, tinsel and
artificial snowballs.
On the mantel above the fireplace and along the window sills they
arranged spruce and balsam boughs. Finally they could not think of
another thing to do.
“Now we’re all ready for Christmas,” declared Rosemary. “But if our
parents don’t come, it won’t be much fun.”
The day wore on and no word was received from Deerford. Lamps were
lighted and still Grandfather Gordon failed to return.
“It’s hours past train time,” declared Mrs. Gordon uneasily. “Either
the train is very late or Grandfather has had trouble on the road.”
Connie had gone to the window to peer out again. She could not see the
road, but she thought she could hear the soft thud of horses hoofs in
the snow.
“Listen!” she cried.
The other Brownies rushed to the windows. Jane was the first to see the
sled.
“Grandfather Gordon is coming!” she shouted.
The Brownies strained their eyes to pierce the shadows. Was Mr. Gordon
alone, or had he brought their parents from the station?
“They’re here! They’re here!” cried Connie.
The sled had pulled up near the shoveled path, and the grownups began
to alight. Seeing her mother and father, Rosemary forgot how cold
it was outside, and dashed out to fling herself into the arms of her
parents.
Close behind, came all the other Brownies, laughing and shouting from
sheer happiness. All the parents had come, including Veve’s mother.
“Let’s get inside before the Brownies freeze,” urged Miss Gordon. “We
were so afraid you might not arrive in time for Christmas.”
Connie’s mother explained that the train had been nearly four hours
late due to the blizzard. However, all the parents had decided to make
the journey, knowing that their daughters would be disappointed if they
failed to arrive for Christmas Day.
“It will be a wonderful Christmas now!” declared Connie, and all the
Brownies agreed.
Now the parents had brought with them many mysterious-looking packages
of all shapes and sizes. These they whisked out of sight to their
rooms, but the Brownies knew well enough they were to see those same
packages on the morrow.
“This is the very nicest holiday I ever had,” declared Eileen dreamily.
“But I hate to think it soon will be over.”
According to plan, the Brownies, their parents, and Stone family, were
to enjoy a big Christmas dinner at the Gordon home. Then, after the
day had ended, the Brownies and their folks would take a night train
back to Rosedale.
“Tonight will be our last one here,” said Connie, stooping to pick up a
silver paper which had fallen from the Christmas tree. “I wish it never
would end.”
“We’ll have a grand time tomorrow,” Miss Gordon promised. “And don’t
forget the plans we Brownies will make after we’re home! Summer is
coming, you know, and we might decide on a camping expedition!”
“The Brownies are going to camp next summer?” Sunny demanded
breathlessly. “Oh, that would be fun!”
“We mustn’t count on it too far ahead,” the troop leader warned.
“However, you girls have proved to my satisfaction that you’re highly
responsible and dependable. So, who knows?”
Even a hint of what lay in store, thrilled the girls and made them glad
they were Brownies. Now, as it developed, the troop did go to camp the
following summer, a story which is related in the second volume of this
series, entitled: “The Brownie Scouts in the Circus.”
And for boys, also interested in camp life and the out-of-doors, there
is a book called: “Dan Carter, Cub Scout.”
However, with snows banked deep about the Gordon farm, the Brownies
were thinking more about Christmas than of what they would do the
following summer.
Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time now that the parents had
arrived--everyone, that is, except Veve.
Miss Gordon noticed that the little girl did not join in the singing
and that she looked quite downcast.
“Why, Veve,” she said, “is anything wrong?”
Veve shook her head and tried to smile, but instead only managed to
twist up the corners of her mouth.
“You’re not sad because we’re leaving the farm?”
“I’ve had a fine time here,” said Veve, looking down at her hands and
avoiding Miss Gordon’s direct gaze. “It’s just--just that the other
girls--”
“Yes, Veve?”
“They’ve been awfully nice to me. Only--only--I don’t belong.”
“You’re not a Brownie, you mean?”
Veve nodded miserably and a tear trickled down her left cheek. Angrily,
she brushed it away.
“I never do things right like the other girls,” she mumbled. “I try and
try, but I keep on making stupid mistakes.”
“We all do, Veve.”
“Not the Brownies. They’re dependable and reliable--and they’re going
camping next summer!”
“Why, Veve, I didn’t know you wanted to be a Brownie. I thought you
considered the organization rather silly.”
“I didn’t know anything about the Brownies then. But now the girls
wouldn’t have me. I’ve made so many mistakes, like losing my luggage
check and forgetting my mittens.”
“The girls like you very much, Veve,” said Miss Gordon kindly. She was
pleased that the little girl finally had decided she would like to be a
member of the scout organization.
The troop leader said no more about the matter just then. However, a
little later she called the Brownies together for a quiet talk. All of
the girls said they would like to have Veve join the organization.
“Then let’s have the investiture ceremony tonight,” proposed Miss
Gordon. “Your parents will enjoy watching it, and Veve will have the
fun of becoming a Brownie before we leave Snow Valley.”
Without telling Veve what they were doing, the girls prepared
Grandmother Gordon’s parlor for the initiation.
In the center of the room, by use of a circular mirror, they
constructed a fairy pool. When everything was in readiness, the girls
seated themselves in a horseshoe pattern around it.
Then Miss Gordon sought Veve and asked her if she would like to join
the Brownie Scouts and be initiated that very night.
“Oh, yes!” cried Veve, her eyes sparkling like stars.
“Then knock on the door of the parlor,” Miss Gordon directed.
Veve went to the closed door and tapped twice.
“Who comes to the fairy wood?” called Connie from within.
Veve answered with her name.
“What do you want?” inquired Connie. “Would you like to be a Brownie?”
“Oh, yes, please!”
“Why do you want to be a Brownie?”
“Because Brownies are so dependable,” answered Veve soberly. “Because
more than anything in the world, I want to be a Brownie.”
Connie turned to the other girls who were waiting in the
candle-lighted room. “Shall we let Veve in?” she asked.
“Yes!” chorused the Brownies.
Veve was bidden to enter.
“Close your eyes,” instructed Connie, leading her to the fairy pool.
Placing a cap with a dancing Brownie emblem on Veve’s head, she turned
her twice around so that she stood in front of the mirror.
Next she told her to bend down and to repeat the verse which began:
‘Twist me and turn me and show me the Elf,
I looked into the pool--’
Veve spoke the words slowly and as she gazed down into the mirror
beheld a Brownie peering up at her.
“‘And saw _myself_!’” she finished the rhyme.
All the Brownies gathered around and repeated the Promise:
“‘_I promise to do my best to love God and my country, to help other
people every day, especially those at home._’”
“Now you’re a full-fledged Brownie, Veve,” declared Miss Gordon. “You
must remember always to be courteous, kind, helpful and fair.”
“Oh, I will, I will!” promised Veve.
“Veve is our Christmas Brownie,” laughed Connie, happy that her friend
at last was a member of the organization.
“Now that I’m a Brownie, am I entitled to know all the secrets?” asked
Veve.
“Of course!” Sunny told her.
“Then what does DYB mean?”
“DYB?” repeated Jane, laughing. “Why, ‘Do Your Best,’ of course.”
“We use the first letter of each word,” explained Eileen. “For
instance, LAH means ‘Lend A Hand.’”
“And that’s exactly what I will do,” declared Veve earnestly. “I’ve had
a wonderful time at Snow Valley and the very best part is that I’m a
real Brownie!”
“We’ll have grand times at Rosedale too,” promised Miss Gordon.
In the dimly lighted parlor, the girls now heard a strange, scratching
sound. Wondering what it might be, they turned to gaze toward the fairy
pool.
Fluff, the cat, had padded through the open door into the room and now
was dragging her paws across the circular mirror.
“Why, Fluff wants to be a Brownie too!” laughed Connie. “All in favor
of admitting her to membership, say ‘Aye.’”
“Aye!” sang out the six Brownies.
Connie swept off her own brown cap and placed it on Fluff’s head. The
cat was so surprised she could not shake it off for a minute.
“Now the Brownie salute!” directed Connie.
They gave it smartly, right hand raised to the temple, with the first
two fingers straight and the little one held down by the thumb.
“To Fluff and Veve,” said Connie, her face glowing in the soft
candlelight. “And to all the Brownies everywhere!”
Transcriber’s Note:
Punctuation has been standardised. Changes to the original publication
have been made as follows:
Page 30
that the cholocate pudding _changed to_
that the chocolate pudding
Page 46
delivery for Miss Constance Gordon _changed to_
delivery for Miss Constance Williams
Page 66
I hope it doen’t happen _changed to_
I hope it doesn’t happen
Page 82
up rear to make certain _changed to_
up the rear to make certain
Page 94
twinking lights of the big _changed to_
twinkling lights of the big
Page 124
The kichen _changed to_
The kitchen
Page 142
To bad about Stone _changed to_
Too bad about Stone
Page 185
knew that the stone family _changed to_
knew that the Stone family
Page 186
Veve did ont say _changed to_
Veve did not say