Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-12
DAILY PRESS NEWPORT NEWS VA. SUNDAY nEcEMBER II 1903
4 cam.ron a. he turned away

bow. and the lad almost fell backward
as he turned and looked into the smli-
ing face OF young girl. fair-haired.
blue-gray eyed and dainty.
"Why--why-gcod ebenln', Miss
willoughby. Merry Christmas. Skuse
me 70 not seem you. but All done
fo'got my mammals, All guess. 70 de
time bein'. All was jus think!n' bout
de folks OBJ nah family.
Why, Midnight. you never told us
about your folks as long as you nave
been serving papers at our house. Are
your folks alive?'
Jus nah ole gran'mammy, an she
lib wild some ole frens oh de family
an All sens her de money dat she
need q lib on. All ain had no daddy
an no nanny TO de longes time,
cause dey bofe froze L def In de bluz-
gard what come long bout six year
ago"
How did you ever happen to come
here?''
Mist Cam'ron done brought me
hyar. You see, NAH NANNY been
cook an NAH mammy's sister a nurse
In Mist Cam'ron's family 10 near 80
year. an when Mist Cam'ron come
hyar NANNY AK him { git me Job
some day an den he sen 10 me. lie
try me 70 a cook. but All guess Ann
a pretty bad cook-ennyway Mist
Cam fon he say one day why not staht
a news-stan' an he give me de money
an dat's all de hist'ry what IS bout
me--but. Miss Willoughby. Aim glad
you come long tonight. cause All got
Christmas presen: 70 you-some
mis,letoe. fine big branch what mah
granmammy sens UP from Maryian-
Kit 1t often de trees right In de
swamp back o de shanty. All vans
L AK you eff 20 will please be so good
an kin as Z come 'rouu' In nde
mawnin' an buy de frs paper. cause
II means good luck. you know"
Why, Il win be a pleasure. Mid.
night, not only TO bring good luck TO
you. but TO get the mistletoe.
Hardly had the Christmas horns
blown their frst greetings Of the day
when Midnight saw two figures com
ing down the street from different di
rections. Ono was Cameron. walking
slowly along the main ,horoughfare
and the other WAS Miss Willoughby.
Merry Chrismusl" called Midnight.
even before the young lawyer had
reached the stand. "Ah hopes You Is
feelin' bettah dis mawnin'."
Thank you. Midnight; feel all
right. Here. hurry up with tina, mia
tietoe and give me that first paper
you wanted me to buy he added.
quickly. as he glanced up the street
and cav Miss wilioughby approach
ing brlskly.
'Ah-Ah--Ah--doan know jes' wha'
All did wild dat mistlemtoe--ain' All one
fool niggah? At put 1t right hyar. I'M
der dis shelf ies two minutes ago.
but All can't find f." he replied. rum
maging nervously among pile OF pa
pers underneath the top shelf.
Merry Chrlstmas." called another
voice. and Midnight raised his head
and smiled inio the face of Miss Viii
loughby. who stood at the other end
OF the stand. taking great pains not 20
see Cameron. who was striving equally
to avoid her.
Where IL that rlistletoe you want
ed me to have. Midnight You sec.
got up very early to be the first one
here, and you know you promised II
10 me-"
We'll. Of da, ain de funnies' thing"
replied Midnight. laughing mischiev
oasly. "Ah sholy had two fine pieces
oh dat mislemtoe right hysr. but All
can't fin EN- & save nah soul All
done promise dis { you. Miss
Willoughby. an deed All done promise
1t L you. Mist Cam'ron. TO yo' motha
an All shoiy doan know what q do
bout st. An can't bus Il in two"
Half unconsciously the two Young
persons reached for the bough. then
hesitated.
Why. OF course. let Nj Cameron
have 1t for him mother" spoke mp
Miss wiIloughby
Give II to Miss wnloughby." said
Cameron. Perhaps you win end the
other piece after awkile~
"Ah1i give II L siiss willoushby ef
Mist Csm'ronn tote Il home TO de
lady"
The girl glanced at Cameron. and in
another moment the young couple
were walking away from the stand
carrying the bunch ct mlsJletoe be
tween them. Midnight grinncd as h.
leaned against his stand and con.
mcntec.
All guess Akn take dis o.ka piece
right straight gp { Irs. Cam'ron nah
SELF. cause Al knoS dat piece OBJ mis-
tiemtoe ain ncvah gwine L leave Miss
b Wiiloaghhy's house e Mist Cam'rcn
kin hep it
The Christmas Spirit.