Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-12-22
GINEyRA ALyERETTA'S MERRY
CHRISTMAS.

dom believe there could have been
ahappcr or n jollier family than the Pic
family since first the world be IAN. From
the grandfather and grandmother down
10 the six-months -old baby, whose lau h
was comical crow. they laughed from
the time they got up until they went 10
bed again; and SO, as you may imag-
inc. there was always plenty of noise in
their home; but when on holidays they
felt II their duty to be, II possible. lit
tie jollicr than usual, 1t was deafening.
Fortunately they had no neighbors 10
be annoyed by it. living as they did on
a corner ut the very top Of q tail build
ing filed with business Offices. the near
est dwclling-house. a large house d.
yided into flats. being three doors away.
The Pies-thcy were colored people
took care of the building in which
they lived, Poppy Pie being janitor.
and the rest OF the family dong the
sweeping. scrubbing. busting and win
dow washing; and bcs des receiving
good wages Tor their services, they were
allowed the use of The loft as resi-
dencc; and having partitioned II on into
several rooms, principaily by means of
rssndry quilts and blankets, they found
Il very oo'nfortablk place to live in.
But In spite Of the good ssgas and no
rent 10 pay. they could only afford tie
plrin1st Kind of food and the cheapest
clulhoe. Tor there were eight Of them TO
h6 iaken care Of. Grandpoppy and
irandmommy Pie. Mr.. and Mrs. Re-
liable Pie, better known rs Poppy and
Mommy Pie. Bcrcthca. the eldest girl,
usually called BERRY Pie." Americus.
the eldest boy. nicknamcd '.Custard
lie" Gincvra Alvcretta, six years
old Christmas eve. and always
called by her whole name, and
the baby, christcncd In honor OF the
minister, Brother Smile Jorkins.
The roofs of the buildings on tho
block OF which the Pie house was the
first or the last one according to the
way you approached II. were nearly on
. level, and many Of them during low
cr-timc were made fragrant by pretty
flowers growing in boxes filled with
earth.
Grandpoppy Pie had raised cucum-
bers and beans also in his boxes. and
he actually came near raising a water
melon in half barrel once. but Ginevra
Alverctia ate II when II was about the
size OF tea-cup; and this performance
done since she was born that att tho eff family
didn't laugh at. The Pie children used
10 spend all the time their father and
mother could allow them ON their roof
in pleasant weather. They could see
he sun rise and set in all its glory there
Just as well as though they were in sbe
and watch the steamboats,
from The New York pjcrs across thc
wide waters until they reached the on
posite shores: and NIGHTS n was 10 co,l
Ind quiet with the moon and stars look-
NC upon them. that they seemed 10 be
niles and miles away from the busv
world below.
But in winter when Il was very cold
hey were Obliged to stay indoors. and
hey could only peep from the windows
n the loft At fie surroundip- houses.
md catch A ci1upee of the errects on
..thcr side. and vet thew wcre A merry
Is ever. waiting VITA cheerful pst;cpcc
or spring 20 come again.
And ON this d1y before Chr;efm.s of
which 1 write. thew had 1aucb~J M
auchc,i:
Grandpoppv and Grsndmommv. r;c
/. Kiyi-yi-virs
Poppy and Mommy Tie. "Ya-vaya-
IL nv Pie -rehehc-h.-
fusf.rd re .Clncl cj,cl c1,~l-
luekr'
f;incxr. Alxcrets.-wc1l I ~.,-t -,
,fe her laugh 4. vorasN ~ 80 M ~. ~ 49,
Of water poured from . hos,1e:
-J ~ .h s.r-L ..Ss = 80
er- which Il .. eesr :. + -. -
cscr;nf;on of fh,f
Tber b.d l,n-1.~,l IN. HI 49, -
,orpino. and wScr the Serf cs-s 49,
rcrc ncsrIv tiv~I - h~~i,~ ,~rsS~S
Ard. - srI - 49, a 4 k.1S-,;,ss~
rou.5 - rfc<~ a ~-r- tS---~~;s-s
ukiIe he ;orc ruier % -. ~ er~~