The Ottawa free trader., 1881-01-29


child my own. Why, in fancy, was already
. father to the boy, loved him, brought him up
put him into the firm-.all IN the few minutes
during which the little man was lungng and
plunging after the honey dish. HIS mother
restraining him, he delivered a piercing yell
and grabbing the table cloth, dragged off some
dishes that broke. WAITER said Mrs. Ran
dolph, take the honey away
AT this the boy beat first the ar, then his
mothers face. She turned red and pale by
turns, and hunted my pockets. A knife, 4
pencil-case, loose change, watch (tick, tick J
and like seductions were displayed in vain
Finally found bit of chocolate in silver
paper. What's that, RobbieY
Robbie stopped short in his pleasant excr
else, aud answered promptly; 'Choclit.
wap: it.
Its too early IN the morning for sweets
said the mother Robbie shall have it by and
by
moo. Now yelled the boy
II made the bonbon disappear into the air
Ijuggler fashion, and the cherub skulkcd with
finger in his mouth.
Hes lovely boy said to the mother
"He's his mamma's blessing she answered
tondly. Speak to the nice gentleman
"No, won't responded the blessing, in a
tone of smothercd brutality, like an infantllc
Bill Skies.
"Robbie, said |, don't you want to ride a
pretty pink pOney with blue tail, ehT
This novel proposition made HIM thought
| full moment; then, eyeing me with settled
hatred, be answered: No, don't; want
choclit'
~"Mothers lamb shall have chocolate by
and by, SAID Mrs. Randolph, and kissed him
In a manner perfectly distractng to u man
who adored ner. Whereupon he grabbed an
earring, and cruelty held her graceful head at
arms length.
"'Robbie, darling, you make mamma cry
she said, persuasively.
"The young pirate held on, however, until
his uncle Russell caught the little arm and
shook it, with Hi hi! you young rascal, let
GO
"'Be careful; don't hurt him. SAID Mrs,
Randolph, with great warmth and decision.
"'Won't leggo! won't leggo' screamed
Robbie, until the yelling, struggling mass OF
embroidery, bare knees, and yellow curls was
handed over to Marie, the 'bonne,' who carried
him up stairs; Robbie WON'T Robbie won't
reaching US in grateful dminuendo.
Mrs, Randolph and l took stroll by the
lake. MY little son is very nervous and sen
siiive,' she remarked, but very atiecuonate.'
"'And such a child is a treasure when prop
erly governed ventured with discreet EN-.
phasis.
"IIe has never been punished she said.
His spirit shan't be broken
"'Certainly not, but then little wholesome
restraint
"'No,' she broke in with decision, he does
not need 1t. He's darling child, and my
only comfort
"The little ferCeness of motherhood was
very becoming, after all to such u woman, and
tha, May day passed like pleasant dream.
| To be sure ii was broken occasionally by a
suspicion of nightmare IN the shape of Rob
bic who, except for the one moment when he
grabbed the coveted 'choclit,' regarded me with
steady disfavor
"IIe'll be so allectlonate when he's once
acquainted, the mother SAID,
kiss me, Robbie, dear | ventured,
"IIit year, answered the baby rutfian.
"Oh, no. Coaxed mamma, give the nice
gentleman pretty, nice kiss
THE nice gentleman approached cautiously,
but not cautiously enough. Robbie delivered
u well aimed blow directly between the eyes.
Next morning we all started in n travelling
carriage for the passage of the Simplon. The
vehicle was roomy for the tour of US, and Rob
tie besides. The 'bonne' rode outside. In
fact his mother was so tond, that Robbie's
nurse held something of a sinccure. Now
there's nothing that SO favors rapid intimacy
4s travelling by carriage. There's the proX-
imliy the lack of ceremony, the luncheon
from the same napkin, the walk up hill, the
slower 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. felt myself lucky. But
| reckoned without Robbie. 1t seems, as an
nducement to be washed and dressed, his
mother had told him he should see Swiss
l,,l. I,Jn
on the high mounlsn.' Two minutes after
our start Robbie began in this fashion:
"'Mamma wantersee the ch'et.'
"'By and by, my love-
"'RObbie wantcrsee the cha ct n nO-w'
"'ltobbie must ride up on the big mountain
first
"No; now and Robbie squlrmed about
on his mothers lap like a living young eel.
"IIes nervous explained Mrs Randolph;
he couldn't eat breakfast, twas so early. Rob
be want piece Of bread?"
"'No; want iCe.keam.'
"'Thcres no ice cream in the mountains,
Robbie
"'Want Chaets, then
"'Sit STILL my pet
"Ice-k e.a.mr Then u prolonged whine,
and Robbie began to throw himself violently
from side to side against the sides of the car
riage
"EIold the door, dor SAID the mamma to
her brother; and Hold the door please to me
so the youngster flung himself about IN com
parative safety. This eXertion he repeated at
short intervals a hundred times during the
day.
Your boy Is dreadfully spoiled Adelaide,
Russell ventured to say, and Mrs. Russell sug
gestcd that 1t was time to take that child IN
hand But Mrs. Randolph argued, Robbie
isn't well today, and all bright children are
restless and Robbie has too much brain :
and she became so spirited it seemed wiser
not to court discussion.
"l'm told there fine scenery on the Sim
plon Pass. | don't know. remember being
thumped, and hearing a whining cry of Rob
bic wantcrsee chalet They say there are