Many years ago my mother-in-law showed me a children's book that was given to her by her uncle James Nelson. Reggie's Christmas was published by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1881. The hard cover book is small enough for a child's hands, a mere 5 1/2 " by 3 1/2" .
Laura O'Dell Bekofske's father's brother James Nelson first owned the book. His inked signature appears on the front page. He then wrote "Book. Keep it clean. April 17 1890" and we find Laura Grace O'Dell's name written in pencil.
It was perhaps her only children's book. The story is about a family whose oldest son is lost in a shipwreck coming home from studying in England, but surprises the family by coming home on Christmas. His sibling's and mother's life is shown as they wait to hear news of their beloved Reggie.
I used some of the line drawings of the children's life to make a little Redwork quilt.
Mabel goes to her mother, who is sewing by firelight, for a little chat and to dress her doll. The twins look at a book with children in a candy store, and a girl afraid of a sheep. Ben comes home from school and mother has to tell him that his elder brother was lost at sea. But after Reggie returns, the father goes out to buy presents for Christmas. At the shop are poor children wistfully looking at toys for "the rich children" but not for them. The father feels such joy at the gift of his son's life being spared, he buys the poor children presents for their whole family. At the end we learn that Reggie had clung to a plank and was picked up by a steamer on its way back to England. Sadly the telegraph was out of order, and he could not wire home of his safety. Reggie boarded the next steamer to America, and so surprised his grieving parents.
It may seem a sad story for children but I fear that in 1881 it was too common a tale. Not unlike books for children today meant to mirror reality. I especially like the example of the father responding to the poor children. After all, when we understand what really matters, and have been given the greatest gift of life, we ought to share that bounty with those less fortunate and hence bring them great joy as well.
