Pony Anne and the Silver Lantern Express — Jack Tate

The story opens in modern times. It is nearly Christmas and the difficult economic times have forced the Macalister, descendents of Pony Anne, to sell the family homestead. The matriarch of the family Amy Macalister tells the tale of the only female Pony Express rider, her great grandmother - Pony Anne. Although the Pony Express lasted eighteen months, it is one of America's most enduring legends. Anne's parents died on the Oregon Trail, and the North's, her adopted parents, run the Cottonwood Pony Express station. Three fourths of Pony Express riders were under 24 years old, and young Billy is a pony express rider whose route includes Cottonwood Station. During a pre-Christmas blizzard, Billy rides out to deliver the mail, but he is late arriving. Anne goes searching for Billy and finds him with the help of a kindly old stranger named Klaus. Klaus gives Pony Anne a magical silver lantern that helps her, and her descendents, find the way home. Enjoy this charming Christmastime tale of: courage, dedication and love set on America's frontier.