Christmas Tales

By Cyril Smith

SYNOPSIS


CHRISTMAS TALES are a variety of short stories, with a Christmas theme, for those who enjoy a short read as opposed to a full length novel and is suitable for all ages from one to ninety two (as in MEL TORMES song.)

Jinty the Chuffer would appeal to model Railway enthusiasts.

Nelly Dean to those interested in wild birds

Carriers and Carrier Bags for those who horde items in black or plastic carrier bags.

Tenpence might well appeal to the many who are concerned about the homeless.

Come all ye Monstrous and Triumphant this is written for those avid readers of the old horror stories and watchers of horror films.

O Peaceful England this story is for musicians and music lovers.

Mea Culpa those with a mischievous bent might be tempted to read this.

Wotherwaffle hard-workers, who recognise the work shy in society, might enjoy this.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jun 21, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450076913

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Cyril Smith.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2010904906

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4500-7690-6

                Softcover        978-1-4500-7689-0

                E-Book           978-1-4500-7691-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Xlibris Corporation

0-800-644-6988

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

300313

Titles of Tales in this Series

1      JINTY THE CHUFFER

2      NELLY DEAN

3      CARRIERS AND CARRIER BAGS

4      TENPENCE

5      COME ALL YE FAITHFUL MONSTROUS AND TRIUMPHANT

6      O PEACEFUL ENGLAND

7      MEA CULPA

8      WOTHERWAFFLE

Acknowledgements

Publication of this book would not have been possible without the invaluable help of Marietta Reyes, plus those involved with publishing these TALES.

My grateful thanks go to Nigel Ham, whose computer expertise and assistance has helped tremendously, and to my wife, Patricia, who has transferred the manuscript to the word processor and who has encouraged me throughout.

Jinty the Chuffer

The several weeks he had been sitting on the shelf of a glass fronted cabinet, in a part devoted to second hand models of the popular hobbies and model railways shop situated about half a mile west of the City of London boundary, it had been quiet with little activity. He has recognised many of the regular customers who frequented the shop but they rarely paid much attention to second hand articles. Trade was becoming faster moving as it was only a matter of weeks before Christmas would be celebrated once again.

Jinty the Chuffer’s thoughts turned to his experience of last Christmas and the events that followed it. He also remembered those few happy days before he actually became a fully-fledged locomotive modelled on the real, for its size, powerful Jinty Class BR 0-6-0 locomotive No. 47458. He proudly remembered the day he was given his first test run in the testing section at the Hornby engine sheds at Ramsgate, sporting his British Rail livery of black and red and white trim and insignia. The assemblers who delicately brought him to life were generally modest, dedicated, folk who were extremely proud of their handiwork. He remembered his excitement when on passing his test with flying colours he was placed amongst other locomotives that were awaiting packing and despatch. Amongst these were included the Duchess of Sutherland, the Flying Scotsman and the Evening Star; all aristocrats of the model steam locomotive world.

The efficient work of the packing and despatch department had set aside Jinty a place on the shelf in a display window of the West London model shop alongside other makes and models. There were models of the Z gauge Marklin, HO gauge Lima and other Hornby 00 locomotives sharing the shelf with him, in addition to model coaches and freight wagons, whilst the highlight of the display was a working layout of two Fleishmann N gauge trains. Jinty thought how delighted he would feel if he could be a part of a working display, but since he was not part of a complete train set there was little likelihood of him becoming part of a working display. However, he consoled himself with the fact that he had at least been chosen for display in the main window of the shop. He continued to recall memories of that occasion and, in particular, that very wet December afternoon when he noticed, amongst others curiously gazing into the window, a young boy looking slightly bedraggled because of the wet and cold, with his nose pressed up against the window. His left hand was clutching the pocket flap of his father’s raincoat. His father was standing beside him also gazing in awe at the display before their eyes. Jinty studied the expression on the young boy’s face and concluded it was not one portraying an avaricious nature. There was a certain warmth and feeling behind the expression and, as his gaze came to rest on Jinty, he also recognised that it portrayed a feeling of longing. The impression Jinty gained was that of a young admirer to would dearly love to be the proud owner of a ‘Jinty’ loco’.

Father and son came into the shop, the young boy’s eyes still firmly fixed on Jinty. They stopped just behind the shelf on which Jinty and the other models were on display, and Jinty overheard the conversation between them as the boy’s father was trying to usher him further into the shop.

Dad, I would love to have that little black engine as a Christmas present, said the young boy."

Which one? his father asked.

That one over there, the boy replied, pointing to Jinty.

The boy’s father leaned over to look at the price tag and with an expression tinged with sadness responded, I’m sorry Jerry, it’s too expensive. I can’t afford to send Santa Claus that amount of money to put that engine in your Christmas stocking—come along now.

But dad…, implored Jerry with a note of desperation in his voice, as he tugged his father back, we need not have a turkey this year, we can have a small chicken which will not cost very much and with the saving you will be able to send Santa enough money for the engine.

That’s a very selfish thought, retorted his father. What about your mum and your sister, don’t you think they would like turkey at Christmas?

Jerry didn’t answer and very quietly, with a look of disappointment, followed his father further into the shop.

Jinty was disappointed because he felt he would very much have liked to be Jerry’s companion—he had taken an instant liking to the boy and knew he would be happy in Jerry’s company. It was only some moments later that one of the shop assistants picked him up off the shelf and took him away for wrapping. Jinty was surprised and astonished that he should be selected, but he was excited and very pleased that Jerry had succeeded in persuading his father to buy him. He promised himself that he would do his best to repeat the flowing performance of his test run for his little friend when Jerry unwrapped him on Christmas morning. Until that eventful moment he spent his time speculating on the future happiness he would share with his newly found companion.

That Christmas morning the gift package in which Jinty was wrapped was hurriedly opened by its recipient and on coming face