Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-18
ROBINS DISGRACE.

llNeu poor, naru-WOrklnp man WIN
his three young children, two quiet in
dustrious little girls, and boy.
Spoilt by an ovcr-devoted mother
when baby, and later by Robert Dean
himself after his gentle wife had been
placed in her last resting-place, Robin
grew at length to be at once the terror
and pest of the whole village
His faults were numberless. never
lessening, in spite of the oft-repeated
seedlings from his father. and timid
entreaties from the two little girls.
Not far from their humble cottage
stood a large rambling farmhouse. sur
rounded by well-iilled orchard, the
trees of which brought many envious
longngs to passing urchins, and de-
sires almost irresistible to break the
eighth commandment.
Robin, returning from the village
school one day, saw the luscious fruit
hanging so tempting over the walls.
GLOW l wish were on the other side,
wouldn't l have a fine time of i'll" he
thought regrctfully; ~ wonder why
rich people are always so fortunate?
Look at those fruit-trces laden with
pears and apples; yet. because we have
only two, they are perfectly bare. 1t
is too bad"
Still grumbling, Robin continued his
way, arriving home quiet and thought
full, most unusual thing for him,
bringing peace to his sisters minds,
and dread to Deans, he not knowing
but what this silence was but the calm
before some gathering storm.
The evening passed, however, smooth
ly away, and the children stole off to
bed; Dean himself, not caring to be
alone. retiring early to rest.
Darkness fell densely over the sleep
ing earth; few stars twinkled in the
dusky vault above, though slight
break in the clouds gave promise Of
moonlight by-and-by.
At half-past eleven, the door of Rob-
ms room opened, and the boy. after
an anxious glance around, crept softly
downstairs, unfastened the large kitch-
en- window, and leapt out on to the hard
ground.
Over his arm he carried a dark-look-
ing object. not distinguishable in the
sombrc light, and with careful footsteps,
he wound his way towards the neigh
boring farm.
Arrived there. Robin deity scaled
the high. wall, persevering in spite of
the many cuts his hands and knees
received.
Soon he was safely in the orchard;
there his intention became evident-to
steal the farmers fruit, and bear il
away in the sacks he had so thought
fully brought.
How his heart bounded with delight
as his sacks slowly swelled with fine
rosy apples and mellow pears!
He heaved a sigh of mingled content
and regret when they were quite full,
not able to hold even one more of the
cherished fruits lying around.
An unforeseen difficulty now arose.
Robin, being young, and not too strong,
found it impossible to take both sacks
home together, so was forced, re-
luctantly, to leave one behind, while
he carried the other to the cottage.
With no little trouble, he hoisted the
load ON his back, then, gazing furtivcly
round, began the return journey.
For greater security, Robin kept
closely to the wall, and he was nearly
ut the end of the garden, when sud
den signing amongst the trees startled
him.
1t was only the wind, however, but
Robins guilty soul quaked with craven
fear.
Almost unconsciously the boy glanced
fearfully behind, and to his horror, saw
following closely at his heels, dusky
form, bearing the sack of fruit Robin
had left under distant tree.
He stood still; the man did likewise.
He moved; so did his silent follower.
A great wave of dread swept ovei
him, and forgetting the trouble he had
had to collect his precious fruit, he Lot
the sack fall to the ground whilst ht
fled guiltily away.
But it was useless; the man, like q
silent echo, also dropped his burden,
running swiftly beside the terrified
child.
1t was not long before Robin climbed
into his cottage home, seeing witt
thankfulness that his unwclcome fol
lower had disappeared.
A slecpless night brought many re-
Elections, the result of which was {
narrowing tale, invented by Robin
about the mute spectre he had seen the
night before when passing by the farm
the story of his nocturnal and thievisl
visit to the orchard, however, wa,
carefully omitted.
This wondrous tale soon came to the
knowledge of Farmer Wills himself
who calmly smiled.