River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-10-28
"RObin-tSunaway."


That's just what he was, though you
would wonder how his short legs could
run away so easily with such little
roly-poly body. Before he was fairly
dressed he'd give you the slip; for if
your back was turned a minute, the
next question was, "Whele's Robbie 2"
And if you caught him around the
premises, all right; if not, neighbor-
hood search must follow. With his
unoombed curls pinned up in a little
knot until mamma had time to make
rlnglets 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 ifnot ignominious.
ly captured, he would "bring up !"
at the steps of the nearest grocery, and
there serenely fix his seat and gaze
with delight upon the passing horse
cars and dumpy-cArts The store
keeper, knowing CHS tricks aud his
Manners" often tried all his persua-
sive arts in the attempt to get him to
"run home !" no, he was deaf to all
entreaties, until a 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
invent no fingers were ever more pa
tient in picking out these particular
knots than Robble'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 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 in hes deep,
and filled 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.
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
ON, 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 it lay in
a great black shining heap, and be-
yond it was the gate, open Just a little
mite of way.
Up the coal heap, with many a slip.
persevering little Robbie 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 tLen he stood in the
broad back alley, little bruised and
shaken, but otherwise ali Iiynt as far
as his feelings were concerned, but
such sight
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 Robin-Run-
away" mamma dot tore finer
mamma tant vip velly bad !; " and con.
soling himself with his mothers mis-
fortune, ne limped on as briskIy as
possible, and tried to "make believe -
he was enjoying himself first-rate.
Pausing moment at the well.known
store.stoop, Run home, Robbie RIM
home right away Chimney-sweep
will get You, run rum" cried his
friend, the grocery man, and clapped
his hands and "shoed" until Robbie
actually scampered of, but not home
no. indeed, he wasn't ready for that
yet. 'D'''
Some men were working on the
horse'car track, and he walked mn and
sat down on the curb stone, TO oversee
Presently man let a stone fall on bis
foot, and swore dreadful oath. ooh.
bad man bad mani" said Robbie
shaking his head, and getting up. he
walked slowly of, backward. for he
was very anxious to watch the men.
but very sure in bis heart that mamma
would be much grieved 10 have him
hear such "talk. F"
All at once he heard a great noisa
behind him, and turning quickly. be.
hold, great drove of cattle were "a.
reering down the street, making great
din andclatter, and snorting and bel.
lowing.
Now if there was anything Robbie
dreaded, and Of which he stood in NOR.
tai terror, it was a COW. OF horse he
had no fear-would play with its very
feet il allowed but COW, with its
great heavy body, and above all, its
fearful horns, was an object that would