The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-06-15

lot Bats kind, sir-you bet your head; and h(
liant rot many of this sort, neither"
Robins little bosom swelled with indigna
tion II doesn't like you anyhow, one single
wingle bit, Mister Dzack and loves Bat"
Whercupon Jack caught him up suddenly
lsct him on his shoulder, and pranccd about tho
room, to Robins mingled delight and terror
It'll Aunt Emeline stopped the noisy fun
which was too much for Baby morning peace
lin her crib.
When papa came home that noon, Robin
begged So earnestly to go to bank wiz papa
THAT Mr. Parker took him back with him. and
for halt an hour the young gentleman made
himself at home, behind the counter in the
vault, when it was opened for moment, un.
der the table in the Directors room, and
scrambling about over chairs and under loOt
generally, to the great disgust OF Mr.. Smith,
the teller, who was Il cross and honest man, We.
hemently opposed to children and not fond Of
biz bows either Bat had gone ont on long
GRAND quite TO the other end of the town; ana
Robin was vexed enough. He soon tired OF
his lonely play and Mr. Smiths snaps at him,
So, when Mr.. Blackman came, looking very
weak and pale and needing help to get up the
steps and into his chair from both MIR. Parker
and Mr. Smith, Robin put on his cap and coat,
and said, meckly:
Mr. Smii speaks so smart to me-"
Papa was only too glad to send the trouble
some comfort home as it was but few steps;
and, finding mama gone out and baby asleep,
when he got there, Robin trOtted up to the nur-
sery, hung his old winter coat away in cor
ner of the closet, with unusual care tor this
useful garment was generally tossed on any
chair, and then sat down to play with his
blocks. But the nursery was warm and very
quiet, on babys account; so presently he fell
asleep over his play and began to nod. Then
Charlotte picked him up and put him on the
bed, where he had long nap. And when he
woke up and found mamma at home, standing
by the bed and smiling at him. he had slept so
long he had quite forgotten something he
meant to tell her.
And this something was further put out of
his head by papa's looking up, at the tea-table,
to say:
"Robin, how would you like to 90 to New
York Tomorrow"
New York was the tip and top of Robins
day-dreams He thought it was something
like the Garden Of Eden mamma reed about
in the Bible, and something like Solomon's
Temple, which the big old Bible at grandma's
had picture of as a trontispiece. No doubt,
too there were great barns there for boys to
play in, il they were little; and hay-mows to
jump on; and sleds and Slides and apples and
peanutcandy and oh everything. He gave a
little scream of joy and began to dance up and
down in his chair.
"Sit still Sit still, you bObbin-bOy!" said
his mother "Do you think papa can take a
to New York"
Can you be ready by the early-train time,
my dear ?" went on Mr. Parker. "There is
some business to be done in the city that |
must do myself Blackman is still too feeble
to go; and thought you could get the boys
clothes as well now as after Thanksgiving,
when we intended to go.'
Yes, suppose ! can" said Mrs. Parker,
"But we must send word to
Jack, tonight. If we were going to have
Thanksgiving here, couldn't do it; but it is
mothers turn this year, and | can send Char
lotte and the baby over there while we are
gone"
So the next morning early the party started
off for New York. Mr.. and Mrs. Parker, with
Jack and Robin-a pair of happy boys as ever
were seen.
What they did in New York besides buying
Robin his first SUIT of real boys clothes we
have not time to tell. We must go back and
see how Maiden got on Without Them espe.
cially the Maiden Bank
Mr.. Blackman was not able TO help Mr..
Smith much. He could come over and sit in
his big chair few hours every day; but the
teller and Bat had all the real work to do, and
the day after Mr.. Parker left Mr.. Blackman
was a little surprised to see Mr.. Smith come
into the parlor close the door behind him, and
whisper in a shocked voice:
Mr. Blackman, this bank has been robbed! !"
"Robbedy" said Mr.. Blackman, feebly
eyes, sir A package of fiities has been
taken out of the cash-drawer, sir! 1t is clean
gone"
well! well! That isn't ms bad as it might
be. thought you meant the safe Still, It's
bad enough. Are you sure it's gone, Smith |
Hasn't it slipped into crack or been paid
away"
The teller's face glowed with Indignation
paid away! No, indeed, sir ! put it in
yesterday morning with package of tens and
one of twenties. They're all paid out. Moth.
ing but small checks came in. | know very
well, sir, what goes in and out when I'm at the |
and there amt any cracks 1t could
slip into"
Dear mel" said poor old Mr.. Backman.
"Who could it have bccn?'
ut couldn't have been but one fellow, sir
and that's that Henderson boy. Nobody else
had chance, sir. | never trust boys; never !
| suppose the Lord made EN- for a good pur-
pose; but they don't seem to carry it out /
never want a boy round"
Mr. Backman couldn't help smiling yet
| suppose you used to be a boy yourself,
smith,
Il suppose | was. | couldn't help it. |
wasn't much like other boys, though, I've heard
say"
Il dare say not" was the dry answer.
But what shall | do about it, Mr.. Black
man!n
why, suppose you must set the police a,
work. don't know the boy. Parker got
him here; but | liked his looks. He don't
look dishonest or dull
Appearance is dccciliul" solemnly re-
marked Mr.. Smith, who had rot forgotten his
copy.books.
Can't you watch him a little? See if any
more :aoncy is missing"
IL haven't got the time, Mr.. Biackman Be
sides, | shouldn't find anything, il did watch
Boys are sly, sir; sly rs the Father of Evil
himself | think he'd better be arrested at
once and scared within an inch of his life