The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-04-22

vain. Finally I found bit of choco-
late in silver paper. "What's that,
Robbiee'
Robbie stopped short in his pleas
ant exercise and answered, promptly:
sChoclit; want it,
"'It's too early in the morning for
sweets said the mother. Robbie
shall have it by-and-by.'
Mo-. Now yelled the boy.
81 made the bonbon disappear into
the air juggler fashion, and the cherub
sulked with finger in his mouth.
"'He's lovely boy I said to the
mother.
"'He's his mammals blessing she
answered. fondlv. Robbie, speak to
the nice gentleman
"No, 1 WON'T responded the bless
ing, in tone of smothered brutality,
like an infantile Bill Sykes.
"Robbie,' said 1, don't YOU want to
ride pretty pink pony with a blue tail,
"This novel proposition made him
thoughtful moment; then. cycling me
with settled hatred, he answered, No,
l don't; want choclit.'
! .
late by-and-by.' said Mrs. Randolph.
and kissed him in a manner perfectly
distracting to the man who adored her.
Whereat he grabbed an earring, and
cruelty held her graceful head at arms
length.
.''Robbie, darling, you make man.
ma cry she said, persuasively.
"The young pirate held on, however.
until his Uncle Russell caught the little
arm and shook it, with Hi! hi! young
rascal, let 60
"'Be careful; don't hurt him. said
Mrs. Randolph, with great warmth and
decision.
won't leggo! won't leggor screamed
Robbie, until the yelling, struggling
mass of embroidery, bare knees and
yellow curls was handed oyer to Marie,
the bonnie, who carried it up Stairs.
Robbie won't! Robbie won'tr reach
ing us in grateful diminuendo.
the lake. My little son is very nervous
and sensitive she remarked. but very
| affectiOnate.'
"And such child is treasure when
properly governed l ventured, with
Olscreet emphasis.
He has never been punished she
said. His spirit sha'n't be broken
"'Certainly not, but little whole
some restraint -
"No,' she broke in, with decision.
he doesn't need it. He's darling
child, and my only comfort
"The little fierceness of motherhood
was very becoming, after all, to such a
pretty woman, and that May day passed
like pleasant dream. To be sure, it
was broken occasionally by a suspicion
of nightmare in the shape of Robbie,
who, except for the one moment when
he grabbed the coveted 'choclit,' re-
garded me with steady disfavor.
"'He'll be so affectionate when he's
once acquainted the mother said.
Kiss me, Robbie, DEAR l VEN
tured.
"'Hit yer, answered the baby ruff
fan.
"Oh. no. coaxed mamma; give the
nice gentleman pretty, pretty kiss
1.-The nice gentleman approached
cautiously. but not cautiously enough.
Robbie delivered well-aimed blow di-
rectly between my eyes.
"Next morning we all started in a
travelling carriage for the passage of
the Simplon. The vehicle was roomy
for the four of us and Robbie besides.
The bonnie rode outside. In fact, his
mother was so fond. that Robbie 5
nurse held something of a sinecure
Now there's nothing that so favors a
rapid intimacy as travelling by carriage.
There's the proximity, the lack of cere-
mony. the luncheon from the same nap
kin, the walk up hill. the flower to be
plucked, the little accident, the boot or
shawl to be adjusted, the rude jostle,
the readily-granted pardon. Why, you
are old friends in a day. I felt myself
lucky. But reckoned without Robbie.
1t seems, as an inducement to be
washed and dressed, his mother had
told him he should see Swiss chalet
pretty little chalet, way up on the
high mountain Two minutes after
our start Robbie began in this fashion:
Mamma, wantersee the chalet
"'By-and-by, my love-
SIS Robbie wantersee the chalet
now
"'Robbie must ride up on the big
"No; now and Robbie squirmed
about on his mothers lap like lively
young eel.
"He's nervous explained Mrs. Ran
dolph; he couldn't eat breakfast, it
was SO early. Robbie, want piece of
bread?'
"No; want ice-keam.'
"'There's no ice-cream in the noun
tains.'
"'Want cha-lets, them
"'Sit still, my pet
Ice-k-e-a-mr then a prolonged
whine, and Robbie began to throw him
self violently from side to side against
the doors of the carriage.
"'Hold the door, do! said the man,
ma to her brother; and Hold the door,
please to me; so the youngster flung
about in comparative safety. This ex-
ercise he repeated at short intervals a
hundred times during the day.
'' Your boy is dreadfully spoiled,
Adelaide Russell ventured to say, and
Mrs. Russell suggested it was time to
take that child in hand But Mrs.
Randolph argued, Robbie isn't well to
day. and all bright children are rest
less, and Robbie has too much brain;'
and she becomes SO spirited it seemed
wiser not to court discussion.
'Tm told there's fine scenery on the
Simplon Pass. don't know. l re-
member being thumped, and hearing a
whining cry of Robbie wantersee a
chalet They say there are fine St.
Bernard dogs up at the Hospice. I'm
sure of that, for Robbie tried to haul
out the tongue of one good-natured
great fellow, who tipped the little boy
over with his great paw. and terrified
Mrs. Randolph. believe there are
torrents, and precipices, and gorges,
and white mountain peaks; but /
couldn't see them, for, as a matter of
self-protection, l had to keep my eyes
on Robbie. That there were deeply
cO1orod fiowprs thick nc carnatino ovor