The Van Buren press., 1870-03-08
MISCELLANY.
How Robbie run Away, and What Came
of it.
BY MARY A HUMPHREY.

! There, Madge, II is hnlshed
| Mrs Carroll unconsciously drew long
tired breath, and she laid her work upon
the ricEety table, and leaned her aching
! head on her hand,
Done, mama, already? / am so
gad. 1t was the cheeriest little voice
in the world that answered.
Then III light the Goals right away,
and fill the Kettle, for you are to have a
cup of tea, you know-a real cup, strong
and hot. The water will be boiling beau
tifully by the time come back from car
rying home the work. And I'll stop and
buy fresh loaf, and we'll have splen-
did supper; wont we, Robolink Z"
Little Rob, the three year old baby,
clapped his chubby hands and broke into
a gleeful shout. A bright flame lcaped
up in the rusty CRATE, and threw its rosy
glow over the small figure bending before
it. Whatever stray beams Of warmth
and brightness wandered iuto the poor
little room always sought out Madgc, as
if she had been akin to them, and played
lovingly about her, as the freight did
now. And not one was ever lost, ! fan
cy, for she treasured them all in her lit
tie warm heart and sent them out again
into the darkness Of many long day,
when her mother was too ill to sew and
Robbie fretted with cold and hunger
Such neat, home like little figure,
such deft, willing hands 1t was wonder
full how much they could accomplish, for
Madge was only eight years old and
small for her age.
She was ready to 60 out now; but as
she stood with her basket on ner arm and
her hand on the door latch, Robbie sprang
to catch her skirt.
"Let Robbie 60 too, please sister,
Madge looked down into the pleading
baby face.
81 think l might take him, mama,'
she said, thoughtfully, 1t is so early
yet, and Robbie can really walk quite
fast-almost as fast as 1.-The darling?"
"You are sure you wouldn't lose him,
Madge2 The streets are crowded"
Lose him? o no; mama! How
could II He will hold my hand tight /;
won't you, RobolinkY'
So the red scarf was wound about the
round shoulders, and the little outgrown
hat crushed down over the bright curls
and after being held at arm $ length for
moment, and then snatched back to be
half smothered with kisses, the baby was
pronounced quite ready.
An it's after takin' out tho baby that
ye are p said the Irish washermomsn
who lived at the end Of the hall. "Be
careful Of him, the darlin. May the How
ly Mother bless his bright eyes, and his
checks that mind me Of the roses in me
ovid fathers garden"
The lame tailor who lived on the sec
ond floor sat sewing in his open door,
with his crutches beside him. lie stop
ped whistling Aud Lang Syne' when
he saw Madge, and called to her in II
cheerful voice. 4 rose tree, a marvel OF
buds and blossoms, grew in broken pot
on the dusty window ledge The poor
tailor had neither wife nor child, aud he
loved the rose tree as if it had been hu.
man but something in the little girl s
face touched him 50 deeply that he rose
quickly, swung himself across the room,
and, cutting Off with his great pair OF
shears the loveliest flower of all, he put
it into her hand.
Madge could scarcely speak for costa
cv and. indeed, he would not have let
her, for he tossed penny to Robbie, and
shut the door He could bear anything
rather thanks.
How kind everybody is!' thought
Madge, as she helped Robbie carefully
down the last of the long flight of stairs,
which led from their room in the heart
of the crowded. noisy tenement house,