The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-29
SflisteIlaneol1s.
Despairing Dick and Robin Ready.

Richard and Robin Broadax were the
sons Of a well-to-do miller, and cannot
better describe the difference between them
than by quoting the old nursery rhyme:-
Richard and Robin were two pretty men;
They both lay abed till the clock struck ten;
Robin starts up and looks at the sky
"Oh, no! brother Richard, the suns very high;
I'll go before. on little Jack Nag, y.
And do you follow after with basket and bag"
This was the usual mode of procedure
with my two heroes. Robin always had his
eyes open first, and was ready to sieze upon
every advantage which offered. lie rode
forward upon any little Jack Nag OF an OPP
por,uni,y there was going, while poor Dick
brought up the rear, under oil the heat and
burthens Of the day. i,
When they were boys, and had a hard
task to learn, Robin put his mind to 1t 1;
and though he was not more gifted than
Dick, he accomplished It first, because Dick
always thought-"l can never get that, It
is too hard! can't possibly learn It, so It
Is no use to try, until at last he had to be
made to do il, with the ruler and rattan
Richard was always saying, "neyer bor-
row trouble" which he interpreted to mean,
never do anything you can help doing,
and put oil all exertion until you are forced
TO il. Robins favorite maxim was, "driye
your work-don't let your work drive you y
So, when they grew up, Richard always
fancicd everything too much for him, and
never made any effort till pushed to extrem-
ity BY necessi,y-like dog by an unavoid-
able bull, whom he only tries to run away
rom until he gets pinned to some wall by
the pursuing animal. Now Robin, In d.
lemtna, was ready to take 1t by the horns
and oyerturn il, which is the easiest way to
escape, IL one can only have' the courage
and promptness to do II. :.
Richard let everything overcome him
from faint-heartedness. Robin considered
himself a match for whatever might turn
I'D. So Richard got the name OF Despair
ing Dick, and Robert was called Robin
Ready.
Jus, before their father died, he said to
his sons :-"I leave Richard my mill, be-
cause all he has to do is to put the corn in
and let il come out flour, and there Is no
risk or danger abouti,. =.
And to Robin | leave nv farm. 1t isa
poor biz Of land, not worth half so much as
the mill. But Robin inherits my energy
and hopeful temper, and they are treasures
in themselves. So boys you VIII soon oe
equally rich, and don't know how could
do more fairly by YOU"
When the old man was dead, his Two
sons separated-one went to his mill and
the other to his farm.
Il was winter, the time for improvements,
fencing, etc. Robin went heartily to work
and by the labor Of his hands he put up
substantial stone walls, trenched a meadow,
built a spring house, and hauled of stones
that culnbered his fields. lie repaired the
house and barn, and made ull snug about
the place. In the Spring the tax assessor
said his farm was nearly doubled In va luc.
The old miller had just completed a
fine new dam tn the mill pond-which re-
quired very strong and high one,-but
the machinery OF the mill was little out OF
order and pretty old.
"Why don't you set about renewing the
belts. aud getting those cos-wheels mend.
ded, Dick 2 asked Robin.
..Oh there is 81 much 10 be done, that
don't know where to begin"
"No, there is not much the matter. AL
is right but few trincs, and II don't make
any difference where you begin. Now,
III have that wheel ncw.belted this very
day, and one Of your stones has ground
uneven."
AYES, Ws; I know. There are thou.
sand things to be done, and can't bear TO
begin. don't know when could stop"
snow Dick you've heard that old prov
erb which says, II you can't master the
whole, don't forsake the whole You could
make a good speck out Of this mill IL you
would only set to work. But ii you spend
your time sucking your thumbs, yOu mus,
expect 10 live on the milk there Is IN them"
Dick only sighed for an answer, aud
Robin went away quite grieved.
When the spring came and the deep snow
banks began to melt, the pond filled and
flowed over finely. The mill hunimed and
ratified, and ground snowy -four OF golden
meal OIL day long. But, very warm, copious
rain fell and produced great ffeshet.
Robin went over to sec if his brothers
new dam was safe, and when he got there
he saw despairing Dick sitting in the rain,
on . bank above the pond, crying and be-
moaning.