I was too weak to go wid him, dey said,

Well, now I 'll—fin' him—so—mastah is dead.

Yes, suh, I 's comin' ez fas' ez I kin,—

Twas kin' o' da'k, but hit 's lightah agin:

P'omised yo' pappy I 'd allus tek keer

Of you,—yes, mastah,—I 's follerin',—hyeah!

CHRISMUS ON THE PLANTATION

It was Chrismus Eve, I mind hit fu' a mighty gloomy day—

Bofe de weathah an' de people—not a one of us was gay;

Cose you 'll t'ink dat 's mighty funny 'twell I try to mek hit cleah,