Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-14

seemed to make any difference with her
father, for whom Hophnf had worked
ever since the first days of his emanci-
patton.
when Mrs. Reeds five children
"Jaeky' (more properly John H ar
the tasu founder s0 Of his fathers alma
aae5a .1 1dvip Morris sr the was h had
tumbled into existence in the short
space Of four years. and the situation
had seemed almost too much Tor ner.
father had deprived himself and sent
Lavinia-Lavinia for cook and Hophni
for nurse, gardener and general FAC
totum.
In the next two years little Rosamond
had come. but there were never TOO
and willing hands. The children loved
him utterly, and Mamie bloomed and
rejoiced.
Irving, ST.. usually left all ordering
of the servants to Mamie, but he had
Of English Literature" giving his after
Moons and part of his nights to 1t.
Then worn-out nerves put 1t IN his
head the morning before that Uncle
and improper, and he had peremptorily
ordered him to cast it to the lot out
side. Uncle Hophni had not done 1t;
Reeds usually placid temper rose. and
gave the old negro a renewal of his
order.
After their father left, Donald and
Norris the three-year-old twins, ran to
their mother and climbed in her lap:
What 90 kyin' bout, Muvvy?' they
demanded in chorus.
Hers 'fraid daddy'll make Uncle Hop
py go way eff he don't put the snow pile
over the fence" explained the namesake
of Harvard. his lower lip dropping.
~ pnln do 'Jyo "
walled the twins. At the sound Of their
crying. "Pinkey Poseg,' the little Rosa
mond in the cradle, held up her chubby
pink fists and roared Justify.
LESS take our wagons. Jack. me an
you. an Cal. an haul the snow out the
yard fore daddy comes home" suggested
sturdy little Irving in a whisper. In an
other moment the three little lads were
attacking the great bank from the rear,
out of range of Uncle Hophni's sharp
eyes.
When he discovered them quarter Of
an hour afterward, their shoes soaked.
their hands blue with cold. he was most
wrathful. No gum shoes. nuh wrap.
what you diggin' in dat snow bank fun,
anyway. I wants to know?"
ives movin' It" answered the fearful
John Harvard. Daddy said it had to 60
over the fence 1 today on If It don't he'll
Uncle Hophni herded the bedrasgled
little tribe indoors and removed their wet
shoes and stockings. Dat snow gwine
stand wrat wha' It's Hits all right da,"
he told them. rs too busy, to do wuck
over. sides I don't believe in payin' no
attention to onreasonableness. rs a rea-
! sonable niggah myself. Him Jest like a
mule. yoah daddy is.
Baff1ed and sober, the little band sat
about the nursery. In the bay window
Mamie, rocking Pinky Posey, who was
fretful. wiped away an occasional tear.
IF only Uncle Hophni weren't SO like a
mule!' she thought to herself.
Uncle Hophni was secretly troubled.
Gin you behaves purity fun now tell
bedtime he told his charges, Il meek
you some popcawn balls, and den I tell
you about Br'er Rabbit
"Brer Rabbit had never before been
presented to them with such splendid at
tractiveness or had performed such phys
biological impossible and hair-stirring
stunts, but between their bursts of
laughter apprehension sat on the little
faces. Hundreds of times they looked
wistfully out of the window.
Uncle Hophni was relieved when dusk
came and he could tuck them into bed.