The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-06-16

Libby sat on the nursery floor, tug
Finy away at her boot-buttons with hel
patient little fingers, and singing, in 9
aisjointed fashion:
Lead me, guide me every day,
Lest my careless feet should stray;
Richest treasure, sweetest pleasure
"You better hurry up, Robby; YOU
be late to breakfast and just spoil anoth-
er beginning"
Robby, who was making frantic ef-
forts to stand ON his head. waved his fat
legs in the air, and grew very red in the
lace as he answered:
"Don't care! I'm just sick of being
good myself; good mind to stop, an be
awful bad-as bad-as bad-as q sc'ibes-
0ndpharisees. And with this declara-
ton Robby brought his feet to the
floor, and looked his sister defiantly in
the face. tr-
20 my! Robert Anderson Denman,
something real bad will happen to you
Tor talking such words. 1 should think
it's most as bad as swearing"
"Don't care" repeated Robby, sturd-
lily, shaking his rumpled curls over his
eyes. and frowning worse than ever.
Libby looked at him despairingly; but
the breakfast bell rang, and the prompt
little maid trotted away to present her
self trim and tidy at the table. Robby
hesitated moment, and then followed
his sister downstairs. His courage al
most failed as he drew near the dining
room door, and had glimpse of his
pretty mamma looking so sweet and fair,
and the baby with her precious little
head covered with its rings of yellow
hair. There was rose in . slender vase
on the table, and everything looked
fresh and inviting; and Robby kept his
eyes upon his father as he slipped
around to his place next to baby. To
his surprise, his father did not notice
him; but his mamma babe him good
morning as pleasantly as ever, and baby
leaned over to clasp her chubby arms
about his head, and say: My Robby."
Robby, with his collar unfastened, his
shoe-strings dangling, his hair like
crows nest. and yellow streak across
his chin from precious bit OF icorice
he had carried to bed with him, certain
" looked out of place at the table; but
bis father helped him first, and his moth
er actually asked him if he would take
coffee, Just as If he was visitor.
One of Robby's special trials was that
be was not allowed to drink coffee; so
you may be sure he chose to have cup,
and was beginning to feel quite elated
over his experiment, when a gentleman
called to see his father on business. He
was an old friend. and was in haste, so
he was shown into the dining-room.
"My DEAR" said Mr.. Denman, "you
must give Prof. Hyde cup of coffee, SO
that I can eat my breakfast in peace.
Professor. I think you know my son
Arthur. This is my daughter Libby;
and this isl believe, this is my son
Robert"
Poor Robby would have liked to creep
under the table as the professor looked
mildly at him through his glasses; but
40 one took any further notice of him,
and so he finished his breakfast. :.
Another of Robby's grievances was
being obliged to remain at the table until
the rest Of the family were ready to
leave; and as he sat there, kicking his
feet impatiently, he suddenly remem-
bered his resolution to be very bad, and,
pushing back his chair, he hurried
sway, only encountering another mild
beam from the spectacles, and hearing
ais father say:
"You must excuse Robby, my dear.
de is, as l told You. trying an expert
nent.''
So his father knew. His father must
have heard. and they really were going
70 let him try being q bad boy. Kobby
telt almost sorry he had undertaken It,
but thought he might ~ wen Keep on;
though, now that Els face was washed.