The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-16
Little Sister Robinson.

Her real name is Ethel Robinson. 1t
is written in big letters with blue ink in
the family Bible, and every Sunday af-
ternoon papa shows her upon the oppo-
sitepage the beautiful picture of Christ
blessing little children, until, as she now
believes, the tender eyes of the Savior
are always looking at her name, "Ethel
Robinson, April 10, 1862" This makes
her afraid to say or do anything naughty
lest he should look grieved, as mamma
did once when her little daughter refused
to obey her.
l must tell you how Ethel happened
to be called ''sister" instead of her own
pretty name. Before she was born there
were no girls in the family, and the four
noisy, merry, but loving little boys
wanted sister so much that they went
up to their mother one day, stood all in
a row, made each an elegant bow, and
then Arthur, the youngest, who had
been chosen for spokesman, lisped out,
Oh mamma, please, dear mamma, we
want little sister, If you viii only
div us little sister in the 'pring, we will
be sdttifed.
That loving entreaty went like prayer
to Heaven, and was answered, for in the
spring little Ethel came, and lay nest
ling like a tiny bird in her mothers
arms. And the happy, wondering boys
stood on tiptoe at her bedside looking at
the wee thing with longing, loving
glances, almost afraid that she might fly
back to heaven if they made the slight
est noise.
They were permitted to press one kiss
each on the rose-leaf cheek, and then
stole softly away to talk it over. "ly
sister" What two beautiful words !
Funny little Arthur kept repeating,
"He's sister. Oh, how love him 7"
And the other boys, who went to school,
spoke of "my sister" as if she were Il
young lady, although Charley did ex-
plain" She's so very little there's not
enough of her to give name to"
She was 4 lovely baby, with such sweet
coaxing ways that all sorts of pet names
seemed to suit her exactly; yet, as the
days went by, and she grew to be five
years old, which is this very time at
which ] am writing, the dainty little
lady, with her golden hair and sweet blue
eyes, was just "sister" to every one who
knew her.
1t was so funny to hear her little play
mates inquire for "Sster Robinson" ex-
actly as the old ladies' in the village in
quired for Sister Sniffen--a cross old
lady, who lived next door, and who could
not bear the sight of children. really
think she would have had a fit If dear
little boy had offered to make horse Of
one Of her chairs. She got up with the
first peep of daylight, and scrubbed her
house from top to bottom. When that
was done, she killed all the poor flies on
the walls, and then sat down to her knit
ting, with Jemima Ann, her cat (who
scratched like tiger, winking and wash
ing her face by her side.
But precious little Sister Robinson
kept her name, though Sister Sniffen al
ways gave ON extra sniff when she
heard it.
Every one in the village knew her, for
there never was such a child to get ac-
quainted with people. And dogs. /
really think they adored her, such a
wagging of tails took place the moment
she appeared.
hoarse, gruff voice, AZ if his hot fire had
baked it hard and crusty, loved to have
little Sister Robinson put her golden
head in his window and say, in her sweet
little voice:
ANY lame horseys in dere, Misser
Lulinl I"
:" She just puts me in mind of pict-
ure mother has a-hangin' up in her
room," he would say little white
angel with glory round its head;" and
he would nod with q smile at the little
bright face in the dark frame of the win.
dow.
Mr.. Robinson had forbidden his boys
to bring. home any stray dogs, as they
! already had two pets, which were pener.