Christmas Speakin' at Skaggs's Skule

by Marie Irish

And it’s just before Christmas

We’re good as good can be (pass to seats).

Mrs. Skaggs—Now, I think they done that real fine.

Mr. Judd—Very good, very good!

Teacher—The next will be a piece by Rastus.

Rastus—Say, teacher, I don’t wan’ ter speak no piece, I shooly don’ wan’ ter, teacher.

Teacher—Oh, yes, you do, Rastus.

Rastus—No, hones’, re’lly, I shooly cross mah heart an’ hope ter die, I don’ wan’ ter speak mah piece, teacher.

Teacher—Why not?

Rastus—I’s ’fraid I’ll disrecomember it, teacher an’ mammy said as how if I disrecomembered mah piece I’d git skun alive when I gits home. I don’ wan’ ter get skun, shuah’s youse born I don’ wan’ ter, teacher.