Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-07-28
How Robbie Found his Friend.

"Robbie where is that boy Z" asked
shrill voice from one of the windows, and
then gaining no answer from the miserable
group below, the sash was closed with loud
noise, and threat Of what would be in store
for the boy when he returned. But his un-
kind mother had not seen his retreating
figure, as once and for all poor Robbie
turned his back on Simpsons Rents, and
ran at the top of his speed up the street
Where was he going? Robbie himself did
not know, he only felt quite broken-hearted;
he had no regrets at facing the wide, cold
world. He had eaten no breakfast-that,
however, was no new experience-and had
spent the night in sleepless grief, after hard
words and harder blows. Ever since he
could remember he had thus suffered, and
although only nine years old, the LITTLE fel-
low looked good deal older as he pressed
against the wind on that Sunday morning.
Growing soon tired, he slackened his pace,
and at last, feeling really faint, he ventured
to sit down and rest awhile. He was no
longer in poor neighborhood, and as he
waited there he dreamily watched the stream
of people who passed him unnoticed by.
Ladies richly dressed, gentlemen in warm
coats, and little children of his own age ;
but oh how differently they looked, as in
comfortable clothing they trotted happily
along. Some held books in their hands,
with gilt clasps, and with ends of bright
ribbon hanging from their leaves.
At all this Robbie wondered much as to
what were those pretty books, and whittier
the people were vending their way. He
rose and walked few yards and then up
some steps the crowd assembled, and moved
in at an open door, from which at intervals,
when the inner green baize door swung
| backwards and forwards, strains of sweet
music fell on his ear. The people became
fewer and fewer, and finally the last strag-
gler entered, and then a man who wore a
long coat and looked very serious, walked
down to the gate, and seeing poor Robbie
peering through the iron raillngs, asked
him what he wanted. Poor little fellow
he had not strength to run away, and was
too much taken aback to answer the grutf-
voiced man, when unexpectedly the church
door opened again, and lady beckoned to
him to come up the steps to her, with which
request he gladly, but with soma shyness,
complied
| "Would you like to come in, my boy p
she said, with smile which quite overcame
poor Robbie's heart; and taking her hand,
he followed until he found himself in pew
with four high wooden walls and cushioned
seats. He knew the lady was with him,
aud could hear in the distance a gentleman
talking, but hunger and WEAKNESS soon got
the better of him, and Robbie fell asleep iu
the corner.
He dreamt of beautiful things he had
never seen, and thought he walked with the
kind lady, and heard her ask him who he
thought she was. Aud in his sleep his lips
moved as he whispered You are my kind
FRIEND" then taking him by the hand she
said, Robbie, one day you shall know my
friend" and he wondered who could be the
great friend of one so good and kind. Then
Robbie heard most wonderful music, and
awoke.
He had heard the organs in the street, and
had also listened many time at the pub
lie house door to his fathers voice singing
some drunken song, but all this was quite
new and hea, emily TO poor Robbie. Hecried
he did not quite know why, and forgot that
he was hungry, homeless little child. With
his eyes fixed on the painted roof, with its
angels and clouds and garlands of fi)wers
Robbie gazed long with happy tears, while
the solemn music flowed in waves of be
witching sweetness over his soul. Still
smiling and listening, his eyes slowly closed
aud had not the quick hand OF the lady
caught him, the swooning boy would have
fallen to the ground. Still unconscious
they carried him out of the church, and h,
knew nothing more until he opened his eyei
in warm comfortable room, and caught 1
glimpse of the kind face again. Once more
closing his eyes, he heard voices at his side
DO you really think, doctor, there is nc
hope :"
child is so very weak"
"You will call again p
ain an hour. Good morning"
Robbie listened TO all this, and instinct
lively felt that they referred TO him, ant
when again his eyes opened he held out I
weak little hand to the lady at his side
She read in his earnest gaze desire to speal
to her, and bending down, asked him how h
felt. lie whispered, Better, but would sh,
please do what she promised" Not recol
lecting any promise to the child, she beggeo
him to tell her, and then in fragments, ant
with many pauses he told her his beautiful
dream, The lady's heart was deeply touched
and still holding his thin hand she knel
down and prayed the Saviour of the pitifu
TO reveal his face to the dying boy.
For long time he lay very still, the tick
, ing of the watch on the table and the dis
tant rumbling on the street alone could b,
heard The door opened softly, and tn,
doctor entered, and gently laid his han,
upon the pale forehead. He shook his hea,
: In answer to the lady's inquiring look, an,
stood holding the little wrist between hi
> fingers. Again the lips moved, though tn
2 eyes were still closed, and the l. ,dy held he
face close TO catch the faint murmur. ala
dy's Friend-Robbie's Friend now-kind
80 kind"
The lips ceased moving, and his breas
heaved with deep sigh as Of rolief, an,