The farmers' vindicator. (Jackson, Miss.) 1873-1???, 1873-10-31
From the Christian Union.l
"ROBIN-RUNAVvAY."

~'N'~@'J
poly body. Before he was fairly
dressed he'd give you the slip; for j
your back was turned a minute, the
next question was, Where's Bobbie 2
And if you caught him around the
premises, all right; if not, a neigh.
borhood search must follow. With his
uncombed curls pinned up in knot
until mamma had time to make ring
lets Of them, hatless, and in general
morning undress, he would go clatter-
ing down the street, with many back
ward glance to see if any one was in
pursuit, and if not ANONYMOUSLY cap
tured, he would "bring up" at the
steps Of the grocery, and there serenely
fix his seat and gaze with delight upon
the passing horse-cars and "dumby-
carts" The store-keeper, knowing his
"tricks and manners" often tried all
persuasive arts in the attempt to get
him to "run home;" no he was deaf
to all entreaties, until a rousing sum
mons would take him by surprise and
a pair Of stout Irish arms transport
him, despite his manful resistance,
safe within the doors of home again.
All in vain were the front gates tied in
every intricacy of knot that human
ingenuity could invent; no fingers
were ever more patient in picking out
these particular knots than Bobbie.
In vain did board barricade attempt
to cut all connection with the alley
gate; like little earth-worm, or one
Of his favorite "patter-killers," he
groveled on the ground and crawled
under, and then was off upon his
winding way"
Well, one day he came to grief, as
you might know he would, and this is
how it was:
He had been securely fastened in
the backyard, as usual, and had dug
a beautiful well, full six inches deep,
and filled it with water from the pump;
then he threw little stones in, and
then filled it up, and likewise sprinkled
his clean little blouse and round rosy
face.
1t was very warm day, and the lit
tie muddy hands often pushed back the
troublesome curls, or rubbed away the
perspiration from his face. He was
tired, and thought how much he'd like
a walk; but the gates were fast -oh,
SO tight! But there VIC, back, gate,
selaola open excssaa !t, only realizes thjsd
shas pD morning. inp Il is clear loss Ss 1 f No.
black shining heap, an beEypnd it was
the gate open just litfls mite of a
way.
Up the coal heap, with many slip,
persevering little Bobbie toiled; and
though the coal tumbled and ratified
noisily, no one seemed to be within
hearing. So he reached the top, slid
easily down the other side, squeezed
himself through the narrow opening
of the gate, and then he stood in the
broad back alley, little bruised and
shaken, but otherwise all right as far
as his feelings were concerned; but
such a sorry sight!
He rubbed his leg little where the
coal scratched it rather roughly above
the pretty striped sock, then he wiped
his sleeve across his face, and started.
The a ley-way WAS seldom used, a'ri
was quite rough and stony; 50, before
ong, down he went and scraped hi,
,ther leg, which brought him 70 quite
/ serious halt, and sitting down to rub
lis bruises, some sober thoughts stole
through his little brain. mamma tay,
Bobbie, stay in ard : mamma tay,
Bobbie, be mammals dood boy to-day"
lie kept saying to himself; but then
hought naughty "Robin-Runaway,"
mamma dot sore finner-mamma,
ant vip velly bad;" and consoling
himself with his mothers misfortune,
lie limped on as briskly as possible, and
ried to "make believe" he was enjoy
Dg himself first rate.
Pausing moment at the well-known
tore-stoop, "Run home, Robbiel run
Iome right away! Chimney-sweep
will get you, runl runP cried his {
riend the grocery man, and clapped .
is hands and, "shooed" until Robbie !
ctually scampered off, but not home;
o indeed, he wasn't ready for that
ct.
Some men were working on the l
orse-car track. and he walked mp and s
1t down on the curbstone to oversee. a
'resently man let stone fall on his 7
rot, and swore a dreadful oath. ooh, o
ad mani bad mani" said Robbie, d
making his head, and, getting up, he
alked slowly of, backward, for he
as very anxious to watch the men, |
ut very sure in his little heart that II