[Illustration]

* * * * *




A CHRISTMAS MEMORY


Pa he bringed me here to stay
'Til my Ma she's well.--An' nen
He's go' hitch up, Chris'mus-day,
An' come take me back again
Wher' my Ma's at! Won't I be
Tickled when he comes fer me!

My Ma an' my A'nty they
'Uz each-uvver's sisters. Pa--
A'nty telled me, th' other day,--
He comed here an' married Ma....
A'nty said nen, "Go run play,
I must work now!" ... An' I saw,
When she turn' her face away,
She 'uz cryin'.--An' nen I
'Tend-like I "run play"--an' cry.

This-here house o' A'nty's wher'
They 'uz borned--my Ma an' her!--