Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-10-26
Rob'S Opportunity.

Rob Dayton was putting himself in
side the overcoat VIII Oh. as his mother
saw with some concern. was daily
growing too small for him. Perhaps
it would be more correct 10 say that
Rob was growing too large for it Ger
tainly his legs and arms were pushing
their way in the world vigorously, and
the boy gave promise of becoming a
tall fellow. as his father had been;
strong. too, and able to hold his own.
you'll never get your money s
worth out of that coat Robert" said
Mrs. Dayton, signing as she held her
fat-iron near her cheek TO test the de-
gree of heat before pressing it on the
dainty baby's dress which lay upon
her skirt board.
LA. me. mother! exclaimed Rob's
sister Kate, looking up from her sew
ing with a merry laugh, chow you do
borrow trouble, to be sure. Rob may
come into II fortune before next winter
comes; and this cold snap has no bust
ness here. now that spring has fairly
begun. Who ever heard of a hard
frost anywhere else so late in the sea-
son? But the cold hangs on ia Dako.
ia / almost wish we were back in
Vermont again. But here or there,
believe that Rob is bound to win"
Her blue eyes snapped. She threw
down her work. and stepping impul-
sively to the big boy. who now had on
his wooden muller and his mittens. and
cap in hand. was preparing to pick up
his basket and trudge Off to his days
work. she gave h m hearty kiss.
Kate Dayton was II perfect nbeam,
mother. poor soul, was OF predicting
mother. as she often said, had seen
great deal OF trouble. and had fallen
into the habit of being rather doleful.
10 think, she said tearfully. as she
hung the dainty baby gown on the
clothes-horse, that here / am, at five
and-forty. doing fine laundry work for
living while my daughter wears
herself out for a pittance over plain
sewing. and my son sells apples and
sandwiches on train. It's no won
der l am discouraged. And your father
was a doctor. and had such bright
prospects
For my part. mother" answered
Kate. sturdily. 81 see good deal more
reason to be thankful than discouraged.
Rob's sandwiches are the best sand
witches evv sold on train; aud / may
say so boldly. for make them myself.
Your ironing is IMPLY superb. and
Mrs. Mainwarings little folk look
three times as pretty as they would IL
anybody else attended to washing their
clothes. As for my sewing 1t is good
enough TO take a prize at the county
fair; and so. in my opinion. We are
three worthy members of society.
Father would approve OF us all. f"
But Mrs. Dayton refused to smile.
She was what some learned people call
pessimist; and pessimists are
fond of looking on the dark
side. Indeed, they do this so
constantly that so far as the bright
side is concerned, they become color
blind, and can not see that it exists at
all.
Rob. for his part was neither a pes
simlst like his mother. nor an optimist
(which is person who takes rosy
views of lfe-like his sister. He was
just Rob; big. good natured. honest
lad, strong for his age. rather silent.
and afraid of nothing under the sun,
IL he knew he was doing his duty. Dogs
and little children liked Rob Dayton,
and ladies' alwa, had kind word for
him. He Was the sort OF boy you
would be glad to meet if you were go-
ing down a lonesome road when night
was coming on.
He had been trainboy for two years
on the branch ra lway between c..