and to return thanks to God for his great Christmas gift of a Saviour
to the world.

As they were leaving the chapel after service, Dumps drew close to her
mother and whispered,

"Mamma, bein' as this is Chris'mas an' it's rainin', can't we have
some of the little quarter niggers to go to the house and play Injuns
with us?"

Mamma was about to refuse, for the little girls were not allowed to
play with the quarter children; but Dumps looked very wistful, and,
besides, Mammy would be with them in the nursery, so she consented,
and each of the children were told that they might select one of the
little negroes to play with them.

Diddie took a little mulatto girl named Agnes. Dumps had so many
favorites that it was hard for her to decide; but finally she selected
Frances, a lively little darky, who could dance and pat and sing and
shout, and do lots of funny things.

Tot took Polly, a big girl of fourteen, who could, and sometimes did,
take the little one on her back and trot around with her. She lifted
her now to her shoulders, and, throwing her head up and snorting like
a horse, started off in a canter to the house; while Diddie and Dumps,
and Chris and Riar, and Agnes and Frances followed on behind, all
barking like dogs, and making believe that Tot was going hunting and
they were the hounds.

"See, Mammy, here's Agnes and Polly and Frances," said Diddie, as they