THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 
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 appreci¬ 
ation, 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 curi¬ 
ous 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 perfectly happy; for, 
in response to a question asked by Aunt Tempy, she said: 
“Yes’m, I’m gwine down de country ’long wid my ole man, 
an’ I lay ef eve’ything don’t go right, I’m gwineter pick up en 
come right back.” 
333 
