December 21, 2010 • Page 7 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Home Country A special stranger shows up at Christmastime I guess the stranger was more obvious to us than if he’d been in a bigger town, because we just don’t get too many unless the fishing’s good in summer. A stranger tends to stick out, and when this guy quietly showed up at the Mule Barn truck stop drinking coffee, we looked for a minute or two. Dud got up to go see what he was driving, but in the parking lot, only the familiar colors, dings, dents and scratches were to be seen, each If You read this you know… car and truck resting in its customary place. So did he walk here? Take the bus? Doc walked over to him and invited him to bring his cup over to the round table, where all of us Knights of Unlimited Knowledge were holding forth, but he just smiled and shook his head. “Maybe he isn’t able to talk,” Dud said. We looked at him again, and tried to get on another theme … Christmas presents for wives and grandkids, with the Big Day being so close. But it didn’t take. We just kept looking at him, then looking away when he looked up at us. Loretta didn’t know who he was, either. “Loretta,” said Bert, “I want you to give him whatever he wants for breakfast. On me.” She spoke to him and he smiled and pointed to something on the menu and nodded at Bert. Steve was next to get up. He walked up to the stranger and tipped his hat. “Hey, pard,” Steve Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com advertising pays! said, “you know, if you need a place to bunk tonight, we have a bunkhouse on the place with a good stove in it.” The stranger smiled and looked questioningly at Steve. “Just down the road there, see that ranch on the left? Just come over when you’re ready. You can have some supper with us if you like, too.” Steve came back. “I think he’s going to stay in the bunkhouse tonight.” “Oh, good,” Doc told him. “Cold Slim Randles tonight.” “Well,” Bert added, “we’ll probably find out he’s the chairman of the board of something and then feel kinda silly.” “I don’t think so,” Loretta said, topping off the mugs, “but he seems, well, special, I guess.” “Or maybe,” Doc said, “we want him to seem special.” “And it probably don’t matter much which,” Steve said. “It’s Christmas.” 2004 Nissan Maxima ———— Sponsored by: www.pearsonranch.com . Farm direct, delicious California navel & Valencia oranges. IF YOU HAVE A WATER PROBLEM... HARD WATER NITRATES - CHLORINE IRON - RUST You now have a solution. S Y S T E M S® It’s That Good.® Lindsay Water Conditioning 209 E. 3rd, Yankton • 605-665-7471 2003 Jeep 4x4 Pwr. win-drs-locks, tilt, NEW tires, white 6 cyl., auto, air, cruise, CD, hardtop, blue $ 10,495 $ 13,750 ‘99 Ford Contour auto, air, cruise, tilt, white............................ $2,495 ‘02 Mercury Sable auto, air, cruise, pwr. win-drs-locks, nice car $ maroon.......................................................................................................... 3,695 ‘98 Ford Contour Sport air, cruise, tilt, black, Sharp Car. .$3,295 ‘03 Cadillac SLS loaded, chrome wheels, local car...................$8,995 ‘95 GMC Safari Van ......................................................................$1,995 Call the Missouri Valley Shopper at 665-5884 665-7811 or stop by to place your ad today! 2901 Broadway Yankton, SD 57078 Phone: 605-665-7680 319 Walnut St. • Yankton hopper SHOPPER Missouri Valley MISSOURI VALLEY May the spirit of the season surround you this Christmas with love, laughter and merriment! From Todd & Lori Heckenlaible Thank you to our loyal customers. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! GLORY! to God in the Highest. THE CHRIST CHILD IS HERE. Glory to God in The Highest, and on earth peace to all people everywhere. Wishing you faith and joy during this season. Merry Christmas Warm Holiday Wishes All Around! DAKOTA ARCHERY & OUTDOOR SPORTS Open every night until 9 p.m. 2305 E. Hwy. 50, Yankton, SD •605-665-8340 Schuurmans Farm Supply Do you have a garage, shop, calving facility, working chute or other uses for a portable radiant heater? THIS IS THE HEATER FOR YOU! INDOOR & OUTDOOR NOW IN STOCK! Over 100 New & Preowned in stock! A large selection of New & Preowned Toro, Snapper, & Honda, walk-behind snowblowers in stock! SEE US FOR ALL YOUR YEAR END NEEDS! 5 miles West of Tyndall on Hwy. 50 Corner of Hwys. 50 and 37 Look no further. www.averasacredheart.com www.schuurmansfarmsupply.com Ph. (605) 589-3909 or Cell (605)464-1113