Classic Poem

Old Cuff

Come , boys and girls, of the House of the Holly,
Roy, Betty, and Peggy, and Thomas and Polly,
And I 'll tell you the tale of a tail, that is jolly.

No matter what year, but a long time ago,
Quite near where you live, a boy lived I know,
A boy who loved frolic and playing in snow.
And near on the hill, where had lived Parson Torrey —
Who was doctor and minister both together,
Who helped people's souls when they really were sorry,
And went to the sick, no matter what weather —
Lived Cuff, his old slave; for in those old days
They thought it no sin to own many slaves;
And Cuff was his slave, and kept on in his ways
When his master and mistress were laid in their graves.
Such a jolly old negro, with his big mouth that smiled
Whenever he saw the face of a child,
And his eyes that were tender, and mournful, and mild.
Well, one fine winter's day, so crisp and so cold,
Our boy saw old Cuff coming over the hill,
With a bag and a rake, and he need not be told
That the bag was for clams, to be heaped to its fill;
So he ran to the house, and laid in a lot
Of doughnuts and cookies and gingerbread hot,
With a good kiss to grandma, who said he might go,
And quickly he ran on the ice and the snow,
And then fast, and faster, and faster he ran,
And soon on the hill overtook the old man.

What fine fun they had that bright winter's day!
The clams they were plenty; a fire they made,
And such a good bake, and such merry play,
Before the hill cast an icy cold shade.
Then it grew pretty chilly, and our boy grew forlorn,
And thought it was better to be popping corn
Than be out in the evening in such freezing weather;
So quickly they climbed up the hill both together.
The old man was doubled up under his load
As they mounted the hill, and at last reached the road;
His neck was all settled down like a toad,
And his white hair stood out all over his head —
The sunset was glowing, all golden and red —
And he a black figure against the bright sky,

With the hump on his back, and the glint in his eye,
And as the boy looked, half afraid, he grew pale,
For surely old Cuff had a long silver tail!
'T was true, 't was a tail, and the boy laughed with glee;
The jolly old negro, as loudly laughed he,
But he shifted the clams, and with a great crack
An icicle split, and fell from his back!

So this is the tale of a tail that once grew,
And Jack Frost will make another for you,
Roy, Betty, and Peggy, and Thomas and Polly,
When Christmas time comes and brings everything jolly
To boys and girls in the House of the Holly.English