Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-04-19
Robbie's Reward.

lis anu pOCkeU-COu1DS IlIlS anu
pocket-combsp
Robbie's voice was very low; for he
was tired, and almost faint for want of
food. The crowd in the waiting-room
was Indifferent, and seemed to have lit
tie need of such wares as his; so his
sales were very small.
Here, little boy" said voice be
hind him. You have just what !
want. This ugly rent must be pinned
up till | can get home. I'll take this
paper. Harvey, will you pay this little
fellow for a paper of pins? ?"
The beautiful woman turned to the
tall young man beside her; and he
looked as though itwould be pleasure
to do anything for her.
He was just counting g. handful of
change which he had taken from his
pocket, when he was interrupted.
"No, no, ,a'am, said Robbie eager
y. "Don't take that paper; it isn't a
hole one. [ cut off a row of pins
rom it this morning, for poor little
Hannah to dress her doll with"
"Never mind, little man." said the
young lady, gayly. GA tenth part of
these I have will be more than [ want.
shall only have the less to throw away
when I'm done with them"
"Then don't pay me so much" per-
sisted Robbie; and he handed back two
cents to the gentleman who had given
him ten.
"Well, little man." said Harvey,
"aren't your ideas of morals most too
big for such a little head as yours? How
do you ever expect to get living, if
you don't cheat little now and then ?''
Robbie's brown eyes were open very
wide as he heard this query.
But I'd rather not live at all than to
i've dishonestiy"
"Who taught you all these things
tbout right and wrongw the gentleman
,sked.
=" My mother" replied Robbie. "And
mink she would rather | should die,
nd come to her IN heaven, an honest,
UPRIGHT boy, than to live ever SO we'll
n stolen money"
yes, yes p said Harvey. at dare
ay you are right; and you are a noble
,oy to remember sue n a mother
eachings."
Little Robbie went YEARLY on with
is work, carrying, nevertheless quiet
onscience with him, for all he was so
red; he had overcome one little temp
alton.
The lady and gentleman stepped
pom the train and were gone.
Harvey Holeman was very thought
IL; and his gay companion had to re-
rove him for his silence.
s"You've been gazing at the trestle-
ork of Hampden Bridge ever since
came in sight. One would think
ou were planning to build a bridge of
,ur own, by the way you study that I"
$50 I am, Belle, he replied; or, rath-
I've built it, and crossed it already.
find myself on the safe side of a
It chasm of temptations; for, see
re! you don't know how strongly
been tempted, lately, to withhold
)se bonds, that I know, in honor,
ght to go to redeem my father
edge. They would help me so much
increasing my capital just now, as [
starting in business. But that little
l-peddler, back there, has taught me
essen. I believe, like him, III starve
honesty, rather than fatten on theft"
But a few weeks later, after Harvey
,leman's business was well establish
the station-agent of Beacon City re
we'd letter inquiring after the little
ldler of pins and pocket-combs, and
ating his little act of honesty.
later still, honest Robbie was re-
we'd into Mr.. Holeman's home and
iness-interests, to serve, first as
and-boy, End then as clerk.
Which was the better reward for
,bie,-the fine position which his
esty had gained for him, or the
sciousness of having influenced for
d fellow-man? He thought the
er J. IL. AsHFIELD.