Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-08-27
TIE BRAVEST GIRL.
by MRS. S. D. CHAPLIN.

"The bravest girl in the world" That
was the distinction which Robina Mason
claimed for herself.
Had she seized and disarmed a bur-
glar in her home?
Had she rushed into burning house
to save the inmates?
Had she engaged in a hand-to- hand
fight with a rabid animal to rescue a
child?
No, she had performed none of these
exploits. Her "bravery" consisted in
saying and doing just what she pleased,
regardless of the advice of her parents,
or of public opinion
And in carrying out her plans, this
misguided girl faced a fee more formi-
dable than burglar, beast, or flame.
Robina had an elegant home and
over-indulgent parents who were too
proud of her wit and bravery to con-
troll her, even if they had had the
strength to do so. Her father called
her "Bob."
She attended one of the best private
schools in the city-a school which has
sent out hundreds of girls to grace
society and TO bless the world.
Near to the fine locality of the school
was a street where were many saloons
and gambling houses environing a thea
tire of the lowest order.
Finding that the young ladies often
went through the street to shorten their
walk to q confectionery at recess, the
teacher requested them not to do SO
again; as they must meet many rough
men there, and saying that, aside from
considerations of taste, it was unsafe
for them.
"Unsafe ! I'm too brave to be afraid
of them, and shall go through there
just the same If anyone speaks to
me, can give him rs good as he sends, .
said Robina /; and the teacher heard her.
That very evening her father received
note, asking him to withdraw his
daughter from the school, as the teacher
would not be responsible for her inhu.
ence over the others under his care.
Robina laughed at the sold Betty's'
note, and said that ''on the whole, she
was glad of it /; for she was now nearly
eighteen, and had had enough of ole
trumpery books!'
She now came out as lady of fashion
The first hat, or garment of any style
so Outre as to cause a sensation on the
street, was usually worn by her.
Business changes soon took her father
to New York, where she had still widel
field for displaying her ''bravery."
When New Years day came, she an
nounced that she meant to have wine
and plenty of il, too, on the table
''Every body who was anybody did Sc
here"
Her mother began to demur bu
Robina interrupted her with, go
mother, do remember that you have
cut loose from all those stiff old Puritan
notions nowl Half the people in Bos
ton walk on eggs all their life, in NJ
agony lest they crack some old whin
of their ancestors or descendants !
don't care if your great-great-great
granddaddy was Puritan parsop.
The father and mother laughed, anC
said, mo, no, Robina no wine at ou
table," and then allowed her to ordel
as much as she pleased, and saw he
offer it to all who called-even to young
boys
When her first New Years day wa.
over, and she was dwelling ON its glo
ries to her parents, she said ''Oh,
was introduced to-day to a perfect dol
of man-not doll-like in size, but il
beauty! He is six feet high.
"He is neither married nor engaged,
continued the light-hearted girl. "H
is as poor as he can well be that is, b.
has three thousand salary, and has al
old mother and sister to support.
"Tm going ON hunt at once, to fine
some relations to tip them on to, an,
then l intend to have his exclusive at
tention."
This heartless speech was regarded b,
these silly parents as great evidence o
wit, and they laughed loudly.
1t was not long before Robina decides
that Croton water was vile, and she pro
nounced the use of it, as a table drink
only slow method of suicide. The
came ale and lager on the table, an,
wine, and they were poured out withou
thought of the serpent that lay coile'
within the cup.
Now, for Robina, beer and wine i
themselves had no charm but sh
wanted to see them on the table so as T.
show that she dared to play with adder
and the fire.
Shortly after New Years day, whe
the "lovely doll-man" became a regu
lar visitor, accustomed as he was to th
quiet of his mothers house, and the re
fnement and dignity of his sister an
her guests, life at Mr.. Mason's SCENE
to him one long, bright, noisy gala day