Christmas at Punkin Holler

by Elizabeth F. Guptill

Miriam—(rising) ’Tis another, Teacher—or rather it’s the same one made longer. Ma she said it was too bad to change it when ’twas so ’proprate, ’n Reuben’s mother she fixed it up fer ’em. It’s good, now, Teacher, really, ’n Ma she says it’s that or nothin’. ’N if they can’t speak it, we can’t any of us come to-night.

Miss P.—Well, let’s hear it, children.

(Children bow to chair, then to school, then to each other.)

Aaron—Says Aaron to Moses, “Let’s cut¹ off our noses,”

Mosetta—Says Moses to Aaron, “It’s the fashion to wear² ’em.”

Aaron—Says Aaron, “With my shearses³, we’ll trim off our earses⁴.”

Mosetta—Says Moses, “I fearses ’twould bring the tearses.”⁵

Aaron—Says Aaron, (that’s me, then) “Let’s stay as we be,⁶ then.”

Mosetta—Says Moses, “We’ll do so,⁷ like Robinson Crusoe.”