St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1875-11-26
Robbie's Chance.

"Rubhic. dear. mother l. very SICK
this morning can Nou get your own
breakfast for Once
.'Of cousr | can. and something for
Won. too" aud Robbie hustled about
hriSkIN. for it Was Il cold morning. But
hr soon had a fire burning, and The
kettle ON for his mothers tea. But
when he went to the cupboard and
found only Il very small loaf ot bread,
and Il bit of butter the size of Il walnut
on Il little plate. and barely enough tea
to make out Il cup tor his motlIcI. tine
boy swallowed Il big sob that came
swelling up from his heart. Not AN
other thing in the house. to eat. and hi:
mother sick something must be done.
hut what Robbie WAS onl ten NeaI>
old. small and slender af his age. His
father had died two Nc;IIS before. lraV-
iun them only the little home that shtl-
tered them, for the savings of Years had
been suddenly swept away. His mother
had struggled braNrlS III the attempt to
support herself and child, till hcI health
failed, and she WAS threatened with
serious illness. Robhic'~ face was very
crave when he carried the tea and Il
slice of bread and butter /" his mother.
she drank the tea. hut could not eat Il
mouthful. and lay back on her pillow
So " hite aud faint Il gIcat fear crrpt
| into Robbic'> heart that she might die
and leave him alone in the world.
| .Muthcr | can't go to school to-day
! I'm Il great strong boy, and | know
can earn something if thy. You'll let
me now. mother, for | must, OF We
wen >tarve."
Il know. dear. shall have to let You
Try, but ! am sorry, very. ! did :,
want to keep You IN school"
Robbie tried To eat. but he couldn't
and very soon everything was put back
and he tidied up the little room as wei
as he could. putting the coal where hi:
mother could replcmish the fire without
much effort; then he prepared to 70
out and see what he could find to do.
Come here. my boy. and kneel down
hv my bed" Robbie bowed his heaC
rcverently, while his mother laid he
thin white hand upon it. and said &c
God of the widow and fatherless pit!
and help Ills now Bless this dear child
and give him something to do. Giv'
It's this daN our daily bread. Keep IL
in thy love and care for lis i'll our trouble
and sore distress, for Jesus sake
Amen.
As Robbie kissed his mother ''goo'
hyc" tear fell on her face. She smiled
and said 'Nrvcr mind. dear. it vii
al come right Z: God will take care u
us if We put our trust in Him.
Robbie went hurrNing down the stree
>aNi ing this little prayer over and owe
I again in his heart. 90 Lord give me
Glance give me a chance t" do some
thing for mother now"
1t WAS not strange that Rohhr ha
learned To love and trust his llcaVenl
Father. for the sweet lessons had bee
taught by his dearest earthly fllen,
Their hearts were bound together b
the tendercst affection and sympathy
Mother and child were all the world t
,och other. and Robhie's heart was al
. most breaking with grief at the bar
uossibiIitv of losing her. So, as h
went. he kept saying his little prayt
over and over again. so Lord CIV
me Il chance to help mother
4 little child suddenly let e" h'
,, motbers's hand. and ran laughing wit
plee ont into the middle of the stree
The next instant frightened holS
d ,..,me d,shinD along with the fragmen