Free By Way of the Rose by Cynthia Ward Weil Page A

winter shoes with a green hair ribbon and a candy cane. The twins got twin dolls, pink hair ribbons and candy canes. Sarah got a new pair of winter shoes, a book, red satin hair ribbon, doll and candy cane.
    Nathan took notice of all Sarah's gifts. “Well, I just wonder who John's favorite is here,” he snarled as he threw the shirt aside.
    “You're not jealous now are you, Nathan?” Cora chided. “Could it be that Sarah is a little book worm like John? We all know she's always been his favorite. Why is that such a shock to you now?”
    “Momma,” Nathan protested. “Do you think it's right for John to send Sarah all this stuff and almost leave the rest of us completely out?”
    “Nathan, how can you say that after all the beautiful things John has sent to us all and gave us more money than we've managed to save in two years? He's a good son, and a wonderful brother to you all. You don't need to go stirring up trouble and counting gifts. You know what the good book says, ‘blessed are the peace makers.'”
    “Sorry, I don't have no ‘educated mind’ to read that scripture, Momma. I'm just your plain old hard working idiot.”
    “Nathan, you go to your room until you can calm that attitude. This is Christmas! And a very good one too. I'm not going to have you ruining it!”
    Nathan stomped away, “He's such a good son , ” he smirked under his breath. “Money means everything, huh?”
    The next morning Daniel and Nathan were going hunting for Christmas meat and as usual Cora begged to go too, and just as usual, Daniel told her no as they walked out the door.
    “Momma, can I at least go out and practice my slingshot?”
    “Why must you be so boyish, Cora May? I thought I'd had a little girl when I had you. Where did that little girl go?” She rubbed Cora's cheek.
    “Oh, Momma. I am a girl,” she pushed Marion's hand away, “but that doesn't mean I have to sit in the house all prim and proper, sewing and mending and cooking and cleaning. It's truly dull, and you said it yourself that I'm of no use in the kitchen. Why can't I go climb a tree or shoot a slingshot? Sarah can help you, I just get in the way.”
    “Fine enough, ‘girl child,’ go shoot your slingshot, but dress warm, it's cool out.” Marion smiled at her. “Be in before dinner!” she called as Cora ran out the door.
    Shooting the slingshot wasn't at all what Cora had in mind. She was going to go find her poppa and Nathan. When she found them, Poppa wouldn't send her back home alone and they couldn't stop hunting to bring her back, so, they'd have to let her hunt too! She was jubilant at the thought of such a fool-proof scheme. Cora skipped off into the dense woods and they closed in behind her. She looked around and wondered which way they had gone and which way she should go to find them. She tried to remember the paths they had taken when Nathan had shown her their hunting place. But everything looked the same now. Cora roamed aimlessly through these strange dark woods. Even though she was terrified, she refused to cry. Cry babies couldn't be mighty hunters.
    Daniel and Nathan sat quietly waiting for their prey. They heard the cracking of underbrush and prepared their guns. The leaves began to rustle. Nathan put his finger on the trigger and fired— but it was no deer that stepped through the brush and then fell, screaming. It was Cora! Daniel and Nathan both ran to her yelling, “What are you doing here! Oh Cora! Cora!” Daniel knelt down beside her and took her in his arms.
    “Baby girl, why? Why didn't you stay at home?”
    “I didn't mean it, Cora, I didn't mean it!” Nathan kept saying as Daniel looked her over.
    “Hush, Nathan! Hush. It's her arm. She's going to be all right!” Daniel scooped Cora up and started toward the house. “You go get the doctor,” he yelled at Nathan. “I'm taking her home.”
    Daniel plowed through the door with Cora in his arms.
    “What is it?” Marion screamed. “What's happened to