American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-04-11
ROBBY'S RESOLVE.
nv MRS. ELLEN NJ, MITCHELL

BY MRS. ELLEN NJ. MITCH ELL.
RoBBY was a very bad boy that morn
ing He woke up feeling out of sort
elder brother, Johnny, in the ribs. John
ny, though, took everything good
naturally, for he was used to Robby'
fits of ill-temper, and had learned that i
YVES wisest not to mind them.
"Tell you what" said RObby, &c Tn
tired of having myself. What's the use
I've jess this minute 'termined to bt
naughty all day"
"Oh, Robby!' exclaimed Johnny, in
dismay For, dear me! when Robby
tried to be good he didn't succeed very
der to think of what might happen if he
actually resolved to do his worst.
Eyes, 1 have" said Robby, emphati-
cally; land if you tell papa IIl-PH
pump water over you, or do something
awfuller yet"
Johnny said nothing, but only looked
sorrowful and perplexed. Their mother
was away in Cincinnati, and Mr.. Vance
didn't make as many allowances for Rob
by's temper as she, knowing so well how
to deal with it. Johnny thought his
father the wisest of men, but at the same
time felt that there was difference be-
and had faint suspicion that MIR. Vance
himself might once have had just such a
temper as Robby's.
You needn't bulge out your eyes so,
Johnny Vance. l wouldn't be good like
YOU for anything;" ard Robby jumped
out of bed and began to hurry on his
clothes, frowning darker all the while.
"B'lieve I'll run away and never come
back any more, and be circus boy, or
sailor, Or-or-a burglar, what breaks
open peoples houses"
Johnny looked SO distressed at this that
his brother felt ashamed, and hurried to
say: "Didn't you know l was joking !?
Course wouldn't do nothing's wicked as
that, only-Only-" and here kobby
stopped guiltily. The fact was, his con-
science gave him little twinge, and all
at once there came into his mind what
his mother had said about the downward
steps to evil, and how easy 1t is just TO
take one, then another, and so on until
the lowest depths are reached. If only
he'd take warning then! but he didn't;
and, happening to twitch button OFT,
railing at his clothes and be-
having worse than ever.
The sun was shining brightly when the
two boys entered the dining room Break
fast was on the table, and Mr.. Vance
seated before it.
"Come, come, children!" said he, lit
tie impatiently; "youre late this morn
ing"
Robby scowled, but Johnny answered
" pleasantly, Indeed, sir, we're sorry. We
didn't hear the first bell or we should
have been down sooner"
"Wish he'd speak for himself" thought
Robby. "I'd lieve'ser be late than not"
The bows took their places, and Mr..
Vance bowed his head and uttered a few
hurried words of thanksgiving. Then he
helped them both to beetsteak and pOta
toes, and told Bridget to bring glass of
milk for each.
"Guess l like coffee's well as grown
folks do" thought Robby, Indignantly.
: Wonder what papa'd say if l jess threw
his milk ker-splash on the carpets" He
lidn't .nture to try the experiment, but
,oatented himself with slyly stepping on
he cats tail. She at once set up ter
.ific howl, and Mr.. Vance, surmising
What had caused it, reprimanded Robby
and sent him away from the
able.
This was a conclusion he hadn't fore
cen; and swelling with rage he rushed
oward the kitchen, burst open the door,
nd declared to Norah that his papa had
reated him worse'n a heather, and he |
vas Jess going to Cinc'nai and bring his |
mamma home and where were his best
lOthes?'
Norah tried to quiet him, but he only
reiterated the louder, and made such an
proar that Mr.. Vance finally heard 1t.
How it happened Robby couldn't tell,
nut he soon afterward found himself |
Dcked I'D in a little dark room with
nly one window. Mr.. Vance took
he KEY in his pocket and went
own town; and, as he wouldn't
e back until noon, the prospect wasn't
But Robby wasn't dis
eartened, and instead of feeling sorry
Or what he had done began to look upon
imself as quite hero.
"Jess cause I'm little, that's why it
J." he said to himself, in an injured tone.
Grown folks can be cross all they want
, 'thout being locked up for it. Wish
ome giant ID come along like L read
lg. 'Twould do him good, l guess, for
e doesn't have himself all the time any
lore than L."
Robby didn't know that, although
rown people are not locked up for being
ross, they are punished for it in other
avs. Just as the twig is bent the tree
Inclined" his mother had told him
nee, and tried to explain the meaning of
lie words; but he didn't more than half
neT, anu COuluu Stc why I
ees should have a better time than twigs.
or his part, he was "tired of being bent,
ld would rather be left alone" he SAID.
Johnny came to the keyhole before
arting for school, and was surprised al
obby's cheerfulness.
I'm Jess rummaging and having Jolly
d time" he shouted, in answer To
,hnny's sympathetic inquiries. There's
great big chest here chuck full OF traps,
I'd I've pried open the lid and found"
ere he stopped mysteriously, and Johnny
as too much troubled to ask any ques-
ons.
"Oh, Robby, do leave the chest alone"
2 demonstrated. "Papa1l be angrier
AN ever"
S'posing he is?'' was the reply.
'Twon't do me any hurt"
Johnny feared it would, and turned
way from the keyhole sorrowiully. But
he could have peeped in aad seen Kob-
' looking first at the window and then
a great coil of rope in his hand, he'd
ave understood that last remark better. I
'Tain't so very high" thought Robby. I
and can slip down softly. jess as those
lows did in the picture. Wonder what !
ey tied the rope to2 There's nothing
.