An' her Ma 'uz my Ma's Ma,
An' her Pa 'uz my Ma's Pa--

* * * * *

[Illustration: "HE'S GO' HITCH UP, CHRIS'MUS-DAY, AN' COME TAKE ME BACK
AGAIN."]

* * * * *

Ain't that funny?--An' they're dead:
An' this-here's "th' ole Homestead."--
An' my A'nty said, an' cried,
It's mine, too, ef my Ma died--
Don't know what she mean--'cause my
Ma she's nuvver go' to die!

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

When Pa bringed me here 't 'uz night--
'Way dark night! An' A'nty spread
Me a piece--an' light the light
An' say I must go to bed.--
I cry not to---but Pa said,
"Be good boy now, like you telled
Mommy 'at you're go' to be!"
An', when he 'uz kissin' me
My good night, his cheeks' all wet