American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-04-24

vain. Finally I found bit of choco
late in silver paper. Whats that
Robbie?'
"Robbie stopped short in his pleas
ant exercise and answered, promptly
'Choclit; want it,
"'It's too early in the morning fol
Sweets said the mother. sRobbi,
shall have it by-and-by.'
"'No-o. Now yelled the boy.
81 made the bonbon disappear into
the air juggler fashion, and the cherut
sulked with finger in his mouth.
He's lovely boy said to the
mother.
He's his mammals blessing she
answered, fOndly-' Robbie, speak to
the nice gentleman
No, WON'T responded the bless
ing, in a tone of smothered brutality,
like an infantile Bill Sykes.
"Robbie,' said /, don't you want to
ride pretty pink pony with blue tail.
ehr
This novel proposition made him
thoughtful a moment; then, cycling me
with settled hatred, he answered, mo.
L don't; want choclit.'
"' Mothers lamb shall have choco-
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.
| .S 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 CO.
".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 over to Marie,
the bonnie, who carried it up stairs.
Robbie won't! Robbie won'tr reach
ing us in grateful diminuendo.
Mrs. Randolph and 1 took a stroll by
the lake. My little son is very nervous
and sensitive she remarked. but very
affectionate.'
And such q child is treasure when
properly governed ventured, with
discreet emphasis.
He has never been punished she
said. His spirit sha'n't be broken
"'Certainly not, but little whole
some restraint -
he doesn't need it. He's q 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 a 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'n be so affectionate when he's |
once acquainted the mother said.
"sK Kiss me, Robbie, DEAR 1 ven
tured.
".Hit yer, answered the baby ruff
fan.
"Oh. no. coaxed mamma; give the |
nice gentleman a pretty, pretty kiss
The nice gentleman approached
cautiously, but not cautiously enough.
Robbie delivered q well-aimed blow d.
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's
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 pardon. Why, you
are old friends in day. 1 felt myself
lucky. But reckoned without Robbie.
It seems, as an inducement to be
washed and dressed, his mother had
old him he should see a Swiss chalet
. pretty little chalet, way up on the
high mountain Two minutes after
,ur start Robbie began in this fashion:
81" Mamma, wantersee the Chalet
"'By-and-by. my love-
"' Robbie wantersee the chalet
Row.
90 Robbie must ride up on the big
Mountains first
.sNo; now and Robbie squirmed
Ibout on his mothers lap like a lively
7oung eel.
"He's nervous explained Mrs. Ran
lolph; he couldn't eat breakfast, it
vas 30 early. Robbie, want piece of
,read?'
mo; want ice-keam.'
"'There's no ice-cream In the noun
ains.'
"'Want cha-lets. them
So Sit still, my pet
Ice-k-e-a-mr then q prolonged .
whine, and Robbie began to throw him +.
elf violently from side to side against
he doors Of the carriage.
g. Hold the door, dor said the man. :
M to her brother; and Hold the door,
lease to me; SO the youngster flung
bout in comparative safety. This ex-
rcise he repeated at short intervals '
undred times during the day.
GO Your boy is dreadfully spoiled,
Ldelaide,' Russell ventured to say, and
frs. Russell suggested it was time to
AXE that child in hand But Mrs.
argued. Robbie isn't well to
ay,' and all bright children are rest
sss,' and Robbie has too much brain;' I
nd she becomes SO spirited it seemed
riser not to court discussion.
I'm told there's fine scenery on the
implon Pass. 1 don't know. 1 re- 4
member being thumped, and hearing
mining cry of Robbie wantersee a
ha-let.' They say there are fine ST.
'ernard dogs up at the Hospice. I'm
nre of that, for Robbie tried to haufl /.
ut the tongue of one good-natured I
reat fellow. who tipped the little boy
yer with his great paw. and terrified !
Lrs. Randolph. believe there are 5
,rrents, and precipices, and gorges,
nd white mountain peaks; but 1
ouldn't see them, for, as a matter of o
sh-protection. had to keep my eyes
n Robbie. That there were deeply a