Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-10-29
80 Kobi1-RuT AWAY"

That's Just what he was, though you
would wonder how his short legs could
run away SO easily with such a little
roly -poly body. Before he was fairly
dressed he'd give you the slip; for if
your back was turned minute, the
next question was, Wheels Robbie go
And If you caught him around the
premises, all right; if not, neighbour
hood search must follow. With his
uncombed curls pinned up in little
knot until mamma had time to make
r1nglets of them, hatless, and in gen.
eral morning Undress, he would go
gathering down the street, with many
backward glance to see if any one
was IN pursuit, and if not ignominious-
ly captured, he would sbring up"
at the steps of the nearest grocery, and
there serenely fix his seat and gaze
with delight upon the passing horse
cars and 'edumpy carts The store
keeper, knowing "his tricks and his
I manners" often tried all his persua-
sive arts in the attempt to get him to
s'run home :" no, he was deaf to all
entreaties, until rousing summons
would take him by storm 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
lnventS no fingers were ever more pa
tient in picking out these particular
knots than RobbIe's. -
In vain did board barricade. at
tempt to cut off all connection with the
alley-gate; like little earth worm,
or one of his favorite patter-killers, !"
he groveled on the ground and crawIed
under, and then WIS off upon his
6 winding way" =
Well, one day he came to grief, as
you might know he would, and this is
how 1t was. .f 100 STD :
He had been securely fastened in
the backyard, as usual, and had dug
a beautiful well, full six, inches deep,
and filed it with water from the pump !;
then he threw little stones in, and they
filled it up. and likewise sprinkled his
clean blouse and round rosy face. lYa.
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 walk; but the gates were fast
oh, SO tight But there was a back
gate, seldom open except to throw in
wood or coal, and coal had been
brought that morning. There italay in
great black shining heap, and be-
yond it was the gate, open just a little
mite of way.
Up the coal heap, with many slip,
persevering little Robbie toiled; and
though, the coal tumbleds 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 sight 5~t I'M
a5 He rubbed his leg a little where the
coal had scratched it rather roughly
above the pretty striped sock, then he
wiped his sleeve across his face and
started.
The alley-way was seldom used, and
was quite rough and stony so, before
long, down he went and scraped his
other leg, which brought him. to quite
a serious halt, and sitting down to rub
his bruises, some sober thoughts stole
through his little brain /" Mamma tay,
Robbie, tay in ard; mamma tay,
Robbie, be mammals dood boy to-
day. he kept saying to himself; bat
then thought naughty "Rcbin- Run
away" g mamma dot tore finer
mamma tant vip velly bad > and con-
soling himself with his mothers mis-
fortune, ne hmped on as briskly as
possible, and tried to make believe y
he was enjoying himself frst-rate.
Pauslng moment at the welI-known
store-stoop, run home, Robbie run
home right away! Chimney-sweep
will get you, run run!'' cried his
friend, the grocery man, and clapped
his hands and "shoed" until Robbie
actually scampered off, but not home :;
no, indeed, he wasn't ready for that
yet.
Some men were working on the
horse-car track, and he walked up and
sat down on the curb stone. to oversee.
Presently man let a stone fall on his
foot, ana swore dreadful oath. ooh,
bad man bad mani" said Robbie,
shaking his head, and getting up, he
walked slowly off, backward, for he
was very anxious to watch the men,
but very sure in bis heart that mamma
would be much grieved to have him
hear such talk.
All at once he heard great noise
behind him, and turning quickly, be-
hold, a great drove of cattle were ca
reering down the street, making great
dln andclatter, and snorting and bel
lowing.
Now if there was anything Robbie
dreaded, and of which he stood in NOR
TAI terror, 1t was a COW. OF horse he
naa no fear-would play with its very
1eet II allowed; but a COW, with its
great heaVy body, and above all, it's
horns I