Christmas Day on Old Windy Mountain
The narrative unfolds on Christmas Day in a remote mountain setting, where a young boy named Rick Herne prepares to celebrate the holiday. He is tasked with attending a festive gathering at Birk's Mill, as his father is unable to go due to illness. Rick's mother expresses concern about the drinking habits of the attendees, but Rick confidently assures her of his promise to abstain from alcohol. As he embarks on his journey through the snowy wilderness, Rick accidentally falls into a hidden crevice, landing in a snow drift but emerging uninjured. Disoriented, he hears voices emanating from below and discovers a group of men engaged in illegal distilling. Initially terrified, he realizes they are merely moonshiners hiding from law enforcement. The men, suspicious of Rick, consider him a potential threat to their operation. They contemplate getting him drunk to ensure he forgets what he has seen. Despite their intimidation, Rick refuses their offers of whiskey, citing his promise to his mother. This unexpected display of moral fortitude surprises the men, particularly one who reflects on his own broken promises to his deceased mother. The atmosphere shifts as the men, moved by Rick's resolve, decide against harming him. Instead, they blindfold him and lead him away from their hideout, ultimately leaving him on a road where he can find his way to Birk's Mill. When he arrives, the festivities are winding down, and he feels a sense of disappointment about the day. Unbeknownst to Rick, his encounter has a profound impact on the moonshiners, particularly one who resolves to change his ways after being reminded of his mother's values. The story concludes with a reflection on the unexpected consequences of duty and moral courage, illustrating how a young boy's integrity can inspire change in others.
By Mary Noailles Murfree · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Adventure · 3,619 words
First lines
The sun had barely shown the rim of his great red disk above the sombre woods and snow-crowned crags of the opposite ridge, when Rick Herne, his rifle in his hand, stepped out of his father's log cabin, perched high among the precipices of Old Windy Mountain. He waited motionless for a moment, and all the family trooped to the door to assist at the time-honored ceremony of firing a salute to the day.
Suddenly the whole landscape catches a rosy glow, Rick whips up his rifle, a jet of flame darts swiftly out, a sharp report rings all around the world, and the sun goes grandly up -- while the little tow-headed mountaineers hurrah shrilly for "Chris'mus!"
What this Textopian page supports
Christmas Day on Old Windy Mountain is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Noailles Murfree, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Noailles Murfree
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Adventure, Regional Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 3,619 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Christmas Day on Old Windy Mountain by Mary Noailles Murfree
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Christmas Day on Old Windy Mountain?
- How does this short story by Mary Noailles Murfree fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Storm Centre by Mary Noailles Murfree
- Among The Cliffs by Mary Noailles Murfree
- The Moonshiners At Hoho Hebee Falls by Mary Noailles Murfree
- The Mountain School Teacher by Melville Davisson Post
- Christmas At Red Butte by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- The Ordeal by Mary Noailles Murfree
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of morality, family, and personal integrity, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Rick, undergoes significant personal growth and moral development throughout the story.
- Adventure — The plot involves Rick's journey through the wilderness and his encounter with the moonshiners, creating a sense of adventure.
- Regional Fiction — The setting in the Appalachian mountains and the depiction of local culture and dialect reflect regional characteristics.
Tags
Mountain Setting · Winter Story · Family Drama · Small Town Life · Isolation · Conflict Resolution · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Nature Description · Regionalism · Folklore · Tradition