The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-04-28

~ hn we
could regard him calmly, for I had my
plan. ] watched for the chance of car
rying it out, but none offered until we
reached the pretty town of Brieg. APP
preaching the place, we passed wheat
fields strewn thickly with the brightest
corn-fowers. These Robbie coveted.
Want towers! want Towers! he
yelled.
ARRIVED at Brieg, where we were to
stop overnight, proposed taking Rob.
bic back into the fields we had passed
to pluck the flowers.
"He mounted my shoulder with con-
descending tyranny, and | trotted along
half mile, talking merrily, then set the
little chap down among the wheat and
poppies and bluets. He grabbed right
and lett, until he had as many as he
could hold, then I proposed to carry
him back to mamma. He wouldn't go.
He would sit down on the damp ground
and kick and dirty his face. He raised
a cry for more t'owers!' then, Robbie
want ice-keamp = then 'choclit! then a
grand medley of all the cries together.
"a moment I looked toward Brieg. to
make sure we were not followed, then l
held Robbie firmly by his shoulders,
looked firmly into his blue eyes, and
said, Now, my little 6end, I'll give
you something that's good for you
"There was a slight disturbance OF
Robbie's dainty embroidered skirts:
short, sharp, cracking sound among the
wheat stalks. Five minutes later / car
ried back to Brieg silent little boy
with pair Of very astonished eyes,
rather pinkish about the lids, and gave
the pretty fellow, with his hands full OF
flowers, into his mothers arms.
"Alf the rest Of the day Robbie was
angelic. Silent. obedient, not a word
OF f'ehslets or 'choclit.' But ne was
cutiously observant of me, following
me with his eyes everywhere.
atWhat good boy Robbie is!-a lit
tie angel said Mrs. Randolph.
!"Never saw him behave decent!y
BEFORE remarked Russell.
cat supper he ate his bread and milk
quietly, and watched me over every
spoonful; then he kissed everybody
goodnight, and went off dutifully to
bed, holding his mammals skirt.
GAS I happened to pass Mrs: Ran
dolph's room, and the door stood wide
open, stopped to remind her that we
were all going for a walk; but she had
her back toward the door and didn't see
me. So l stood a moment watching
her. The child was undressed, all the
yellow curls tumbling on a white night
Gown: his pink feet bare; his eyes wide
and thoughtful. The mother was en-
loving the unacccustomed peace. She
kissed the boy, and made him kneel at
her feet.
"Now Bobbie say his prayers
81 never saw anything half as lovely
as the mother and child that night.
"God bless mamma
Mamma he repeated.
"And uncle and auntie.'
"Uncle and auntie.'
"And Mr.. Lane, the nice gentle
ma
"She put my name in her child's
prayers! Why, Ford, my heart gave a
great exultant bound; but suddenly it
Stood still .
4" Mamma said Robbie's shrill little
voice, that nice gentleman gived me
sumfn.'
"What, my darling-howers?'
"tSumfin else.'
"Cbocolatep'
"'Sumfin else a.-
"What, then. my lambp'
al dunno and he looked puzzled;
then frightened up with, I show 90,
mamma
1.-The little man was conveniently
dressed for the pantomime he under
took, and to do him justice, it was
thoroughly well done. He began with
my guilty glance toward Brieg; he de-
livered the words, Now, my little
fiend, give 90 sumfn that's good for
oo,' with tragic effect; then he whisked
up the night-gown, and applied (though
more lightly than his modeD the time
honored remedy for naughtiness. He
added, And, mamma, I kyed vewy
loud. and then feeled more better
"There was a moments hush. Mrs.
Randolph hugged Robbie to her breast.
crept down stairs, astonlshed at the
capacity in children for retaining an i'm
preston, but feeling I had made great
success.
Later she came down. We had all
agreed upon walk, 80 we went along
by the blossomed fields, but Mrs. Ran
dolph was perfectly silent.
g argued good from this, and felt
elated. Russell and his wife saw some
thing out of the common in nv manner,
think. and considerably walked apart
together. felt that must speak out
my heart, so began:
Although, we have known each
other but few days, you must feel, as
do, ours is no common friendship
"She made no answer.
Adelaide I went on. madly-I
was but forty; the night was heavenly
bright; she was beautiful Adelaide,
I love you. May hooe to win youP'
Adelaide stood still instantly, turned
upon me, and fixed me with such a look
as never met before nor since.
Wretch = she said, you raised
your hand against my child, my Robbie,
my angel. You called him little
fiend. I despise, detest, utterly abhor
you. I'd marry demon sooner"
Ford, she shone white with anger.
As soon as I could catch my breath,
tried to argue.
"'See how good he was afterward.
A little wholesome discipline is
Don't speak to me-" she ST. tluck in.
Never dare let me see your face again.
Never dare"
"She walked on briskly to the hotel,
meekly following. She swept up
stairs, Ainging me back Judith look
full of righteous wrath.
II told Russell the whole matter at
once.
"He whistled, then laughed long and
loud. BY Jove = he said, the boy had
never had whipping, and didc". un-
derstand it. It's pity, Lane. that you
can't bring him up; but Adelaide is
fierce where that spoiled brat is con-
cerned. I'm afraid there no hope for
you
II left next morning for Paris by the
early1diligence."
well" said Ford. lit was lucky for
you. Robbie must have turned out a
terrible wretch"
"No, he hasn't. He's a tall, hand
some lad of fourteen; bright, well-man--
nered, and obedient to his mother and
step-father."
Step-father! She's married, thenp"
"Three years ago she met man my
superior in tact. courage and persistence.
respect and envy him"
but what tussle he must have had
with the boym
"Yes; for our domestic system is pc
culiar. Here are statistics: Out OF one
hundred of the pirate species OF child
that I've met, three were English, two