ole passel er cows runnin' 'roun' in Brer Fox house. Dey year de
cheers a-fallin', en de table turnin' over, en de crock'ry breakin', en
den de do' flew'd open, en out come Brer Fox, a-squallin' lak de Ole Boy
wuz atter 'im. En sech a sight ez dem t'er creeturs seed den en dar
ain't never bin seed befo' ner sence.

"Dem ar hornets des swarmed on top er Brer Fox. 'Lev'm dozen un um 'ud
hit at one time, en look lak dat ar creetur bleedz ter fine out fer
hisse'f w'at pain en suffin' is. Dey bit 'im en dey stung 'im, en fur ez
Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin kin year 'im, dem hornets 'uz des a-nailin'
'im. Gentermens! dey gun 'im binjer!

"Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin, dey sot dar, dey did, en dey laugh en
laugh, twel bimeby, Brer Rabbit roll over en grab he stomach, en
holler:--

"'Don't, Brer Tarrypin! don't! One giggle mo' en you'll hatter tote me.'

"En dat ain't all," said Uncle Remus, raising his voice. "I know a
little chap w'ich ef he set up yer 'sputin' 'longer me en de t'er
creeturs, he won't have much fun termorrer night."

The hint was sufficient, and the little boy ran out laughing.

LXXI

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The day and the night before Christmas were full of pleasure for the
little boy. There was pleasure in the big house, and pleasure in the
humble cabins in the quarters. The peculiar manner in which the negroes
celebrated the beginning of the holidays was familiar to the child's
experience, but strange to his appreciation, and he enjoyed everything
he saw and heard with the ready delight of his years,--a delight, which,
in this instance, had been trained and sharpened, if the expression may
be used, in the small world over which Uncle Remus presided.

The little boy had a special invitation to be present at the marriage of
Daddy Jack and 'Tildy, and he went, accompanied by Uncle Remus and Aunt
Tempy. It seemed to be a very curious affair, but its incongruities made
small impression upon the mind of the child.

'Tildy wore a white dress and had a wreath of artificial flowers in her
hair. Daddy Jack wore a high hat, which he persisted in keeping on his
head during the ceremony, and a coat the tails of which nearly dragged
the floor. His bright little eyes glistened triumphantly, and he grinned
and bowed to everybody again and again. After it was all over, the
guests partook of cake baked by Aunt Tempy, and persimmon beer brewed by
Uncle Remus.

It seemed, however, that 'Tildy was not