Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-27
For the vERnoNr FARMER.
A Day with Robbie.


Everybody has pet theory about man
aging children. had one. | have often
thought that il mothers would do this way
or that, according to some patent method,
children would come out as smoothly as but
ter from a patent churn. Yesterday, cousin
Jennie "did wish that some one would
amuse Bobbie keep him in doors, and out
Of mischief" Bobbie is four years old, and
q bewitching, little, naughty boy. What
better opportunity to try my theory | Of
fered my services, and behold the results.
was to amuse Bobbie he preferred to
reverse the situation, aud amuso me. Per-
haps he, too, has theories in his little busy
brain. Who knows? First, | must take
"drive" with him. Accordingly, two chairs
we're harnessed in the most intricate manner
for horses two other chairs were placed be-
hind them for the carriage my youthful gall
liant politely helped me in, and we started
for Albany, lils8 .I
John Gipiu's ride was nothing to ours.
SMACK went the whip,
Round went the wheelsih
Were ever folks SO glad to get out as
vast thought that the little driver would
certainly put my eyes out, but fortunately
he stopped in time. Bobbie polite ly helped
me out, and informed me that had friend
living behind "de door" aud must call on her.
found her "out," which pleased me, as il
usually does when | make cerem0nious calls.
| took the liberty of sitting down TO rest
after my fatiguing journey, but the "wind
changed" and new project dawned upon
Boobies little fertile brain. "Lct's play
store" was the next edict Bob5ie disap-
peared behind the nursery door, and waited
indulging in great expectations !" no room
for my theories" yet, you see. In stag
gered the young Ajax, with huge pillow
on his back. want to buy some 'tatoes p
Yes | wanted them. l bought them and
paid him, not in greebacks, but in white.
backs made Of my best monogramed note
paper. This was the beginning of sorrows
There are three beds in the nursey. All the
the pillows followed, as bags Of -four, meal
etc. bought them all. 1t was clean lin
en- day, and the spotless, polished covers
were twisted at each end, to give good
hold. | was obliged to put my head within
Bobbie was none of your cheating tradesmen
every cover, to see if the goods suited me
Bobbie now "took turn" as old people say
and became religious. He requested me to
mount chair and take book of scriptural
illustrations off the upper library shelf
Now here is my opportunity, thought 1, to
instruct ittle so | reclned on the lounge.
Bobbe lay down too, put his pretty little hot
head on my arm (the mercury stood at nine.
ty in the shaded, and Explained Not at
all he explained to me, he certainly did i
well, far surprising most art critics,-Bobbi
talked SO that | could understand him, and
they don't. His remarks on the picture Of
the Garden Of Ellen were very original
The serpent was "big, ugly worm" aud h,
thought Adam and Eve ought "to be ashamed
going to walk without any clothes on"
a second disappearance into tho nursery
| breathe easyily for fveminutes, when theI,
comes scream, loud and shril enough to
pierce the heavens. | rush in expecting t,
find Bobbie dying; bat he has only taken Al
involuntary seat in a pail OF cold water, from
which he is drawn out dripping like watel
fowl. Bobbie is not hydropathist, so
took of his wet garments, put on a dry suit
and hope the little rogue is tired enough t
take nap-I am. Not at all. We mus
now take another drive. This time we mus
60 to New York and this time, too, tn
whip Aourishes around my devoted head i
all directions, and | feel myself fortunate t
arrive with eyes safe and bit Of coiffur
left.
The mischief! He knows | am Devil
f dered with his prauks and that he has tn
whip hand Of me, as well as his woode
steeds. am worse than bewildered by thi
time. am exhausted aud recine on tn
. lounge again. Those fatal pillow-"bags,"
. mean. They are drawn up around me, lik
D so many avenging ghosts, and | am ordere,
{ to tie them up, so that the "'tatoes won't e
. mouldy." But there is point of rebellion
and won't do this. Fire flashes from tn
: little captains eyes. Discipline must |
maintained, and cousin Jennie enters just
time to see the last tableau.
' Bobbie stands over me with a trunk .stra
. just ready to inaiet the bastinado for m
; disobedience. Timely assistance! l we
' come her footsteps as the British army wei
). coined the bag-pipcs at Lucknow. [ have n
n more "theories" now look upon moth
n whose children ever obey her, marvel. Cou
: in Jennie says tina. "they talk about job bu
: if job had been blessed with Bobbie for
h son his stories would never have been toll,
If for boils are nothing compared with boys
If you have theory " try day wit
:. BObbie." KATIE