other cities, and how easily and
dexterously they did their work. Then there were many humorous
incidents of his own boyhood, which he remembered and told with such
success, that he had the entire party roaring with laughter before
the meal was half over.

When he had finished, the Judge and Aunt Betty took turns telling of
strange and funny incidents that had come under their observation at
various Christmas times, and by the time dessert was reached everyone
felt at peace with the world.

It was a dinner long to be remembered, and when it was over they all
gathered in the living-room, where the Herr was induced to play a
number of his favorite pieces, Dorothy's violin being pressed into
service for the occasion.

Dorothy next took her turn with the violin, Herr Deichenberg playing
her accompaniments on the piano. Molly, who had not heard her chum
play for many months, was astonished at the progress she had made,
as was the Judge, and they complimented both master and pupil, after
three pieces had been rendered. The players then stopped under
protest, promising to play more before the gathering broke up.

Jim sang a bass solo. Gerald also rendered a song, his sweet tenor
voice delighting his auditors, after which the old quartette of the
mountain camp was formed again and sang familiar pieces in such a
manner as to win the heartiest of commendation from all--even that
captious critic, Herr Deichenberg.

Aunt Betty was asked to speak one of her girlhood pieces, but begged
to be allowed to substitute old Ephraim, who, upon being urged,
recited the following verses, remembered since his earliest
recollection:

"Sho' 'nuff, is dat yo', buddie?
Why, I sca'ce beliebs mah eyes!
Yo's growed so slendah en so tall,
I like not tuh know yo' size.
Does yo' eber hunt de possum--
Climb de ole p'simmon tree?
Like we did in de good ole times
W'en de niggah wasn't free?
We'd take ole Tige, en den a torch,
Den we'd start out fo' a spree,
Lots o' fellers wuz in dat chase,
Erside, mah boy, frum yo' en me,
After a w'ile ole Tige'd yelp,
Den we'd know dar's sumpthin' round,
Er rabbit, coon, er possum, sho',
Er gittin' ober de ground.
W'en up de tree de possum run,
Den ole Tige he'd change he tune,
Den wif de torch we'd shine his eyes
Den we'd nab him pretty soon,
We'd break he neck, en build er fire