Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-10-25
LITTLE ROBBIE.
THE INFLUENCE SMALL BOT MAY HAVE on
AN AFFAIR OF The HEART.

aha" responded Ford, the senior
partner Of Ford & Lane, - and so there
was romance. Sly dog"
The two men-old friends, and rather
old fellows-were in that mild loquaciou:
mood that follows a good dinner, and is
stimulated by good cigar and pleasan,
surroundings. Now there is no cozier
spot than Lanes library, nor is there
considering he is past fifty-a handsomer
or more genial man than Lane himself.
At this moment he sa, staring into the
fire, the cigar held meditatively between
two fingers, and Ford repeated, by way
Of jog to the conversation. "Sly dog"
During one of my regular trips to
Europe for the firm" said Lane, talking
apparently to the fire, 81 had time to
spare, and was at Baveno, in the north
of Italy" Then. after pause " There
is too much said about the scenery at the
Italian lakes"
"Why: Isn't it fine"
"Yes; bu, happen, say at Baveno, on
Maggoire, in the middle Of May, and
there's something you can't talk abou, I;
there's fervor and languor, strength
and a sweetness in all nature, in the very
air itself, that can't be told; it can only
be felt. The hotel at Baveno was close
to the lake. and boats lay there moored
Jus, before the door. II was late after
noon. remember, that day-la,e after
noon-and | ran into Russell, firm Of
Russell & White, you know.
so glad 10 meet an American, said
Russell. I'm doing the lakes with my
wife and sister-in-law, who is widow.
Come for boat ride with us this evening
ats
At S Russell clapped me on the shoul-
der. There was strange influence
abroad that night; the whole place SEEM
ed fairy. unreal. | followed to where
boa, lay swinging little loose from its
moorings. On the shore was Mrs. Rus
sell, whom greeted politely but my eyes
were fixed on ,ha, boat, for in the stern,
wrapped in something white, like cloud,
"a, woman who was lovely as vision.
was fairly dazed, and stood staring.
when Russell pulled up the boa, and said,
Jump in. Halo. Adelaide; so you are
seated. The woman in white is my sis
,er-in-law. Lane. Mrs. Randolph, Mr..
Lane, of New York.
She greeted me with Indeed, Mr..
Lane. it's bleasan, to meet people from
home-that is, sometimes, and some Peo-
pie She Was the woman OF the world,
and a bit coque,tish, yet with sober
ness and gentle grace underlying all.
"How did she look, then :: asked
Ford.
"Well, it WAS ten years ago. She was
slgh,er, but that warm co!ored hair was
the same; she had those same gray eyes,
with the dark gray brows ,ha, would lend
s,ernness to any other eyes, but only frame
the softness OF hers, her cheek was a
shade paler than now, and fairer, perhaps.
Well, we rowed over 10 lsola Madre
There, under the shadow Of the wooded
banks. we heard the nightingales sing,
and. in short" said Mr.. Lane. with a
nervous laugh, knocking the ashes from
his cigar, and beginning TO smoke before
he had done speaking-"in short, re-
solved tha, very nigh, to make Mrs. Ran
dolph my wife, or live bachelor.
Sudden. wasn't it" hinted Ford.
"Yes, bu, times nothing in such mat
ters /; it's-it's-
"Say i, in four letters suggested
Ford.
well, it's lore; and was heartily,
desperately in love. You see, was only
forty then.
Next morning early was pacing the
turf in front Of the hotel, and me, Mrs.
Randolph. She was dainty, fresh and
tender -hued even in the full morning sun
shine. | breakfasted with the Russell
party, and a bonne brought to the table
TIE pre,,iest our-yearold boy ever laid
eyes on.
MY Robbie, my darling my bless
ing = exclaimed Mrs. Randolph, in mo-
,herly rapture, seating the child on her
lap. The little chap shook his head of
yellow curls, reached with both hands
over the table and CALCULATED, Honey !!
Honey is bad for mamma's boy, said
Mrs. Randolph, while | was looking at
the picture they made, only desiring to
call both mother and child my own. Why.
in fancy, was already father to the boy,
loved him, brought him up, put him into
the firm-all in few minutes, during
which the little man was lunging and
plunging after the honey dish. His mo-
ther restraining him, he delivered pierre
ing veil, and grabbing the table-cloth
dragged off some dishes that broke.
w alter says Mrs. Randolph, take the
honey away.
AT this the boy beat first the air, then
his mothers face. She turned red and
pale by turns, and l hunted my pockets.
A knife, a pencil. lease, loose change, a
watch (tick-tick and like seductions were
displayed in vain. Finally found bit
of chocolate in silver paper. Whats
that, Robbie:
Robbie stopped short in his pleasant
exercise, and answered. promptly, 'Choc-
lit, l want it.
Its too early in the morning for
sweets said the mother. Robbie shall
have it by-and-by.
Moo. Now yelled tho boy.
made the bon bon disappear into the
air, juggler fashion. and the cherub suiked
| ,,;,b q 6noer in his mouth