Richland beacon., 1888-10-20
Rob's Opportunity.

side the ovcrcoat which, rs his motnc,
saw with some concern. was daily
growing too small for him Perhaps
1t would be more correct 10 say thai
Rob was growing too large for it. Ger.
talnly his legs aud arms were pushing
Their way in the world vigorously. and
The boy gave promise of becoming q
tall fellow. rs his father had been:
strong, too. and ablo TO hold his own,
you'll never get your moneys
worth ont Of that coat. Robert" said
Mrs, Dayton, signing rs she held her
lat-iron near her cheek 10 test the de.
gree of heat before pressing it on the
dainty baby's dress winch lay upon
her skirt board.
LA. me. mother" exclaimed Rob's
sister Kate, looking up from her sew
ing with merry laugh. "how you do
borrow trouble, TO be- sure. Rob may
come into fortune before next winter
comes; and this cold snap has no bust.
ness here. now that spring has fairly
begun. Who ever heard Of hard
frost anywhere else so late in the sea.
son? But The cold hangs on in Dako.
Ia. 1 almost wish we were back in
Vermont again. Bat here or there. |
believe that Rob is bound to win"
Her blue eyes snapped She threw
uown her work. and stepping impul-
slveIy TO The biz boy. who now had on
his WOODEN muller and his mlltens. and
cap in hand. was preparing to pick up
his basket and trudge off 10 his days
work. she gave h m hearty Kiss
Kate Dayton was IL perfect sun beam,
rs fond OF laughing and hoping rs her
mother. poor soul. was OF predicting
evil and shedding tears. But her
mother. as sho often SAID. lad seen a
great deal of trouble. and had fallen
INTO The habit of being rather doleiul.
10 THINK she said tearfully. rs she
hung The dainty baby gown on the
clothes horse. "that here | am, at five.
and-iorly. doing line laundry work for
a living. while my daughter wears
herself out for Il piliance over plain
sewing. and nv son sells apples and
sandwiches on n ira n. It's no won.
der ann Il scouragcd. And your father
was a Doctor. and had such bright
prospects
For my part, mother" answered
Kate sturdiIy. I'll see good deal more
reason 10 be thankful THAI discouraged,
Rob's sandwiches are the best sand.
witches ever sold on Il train; and NAV
say so boldly, for make them myself. |
Your iron NJ is IMPLY superb. and
MS. Mainwarings lille folk look |
three times ms pretty rs they would if |
anybody else attended to washing their |
clothes. AS for my sewing. it is good
enough to take prize at The county
fair; and So in my opinion. VIC are
three worthy members of society.
Father would approve OF us ALL"
But Mrs. Dayton refused to SIN lie.
She was what some learned people call
pesslmist; and pessimists are
fond OF looking on tho 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 n pes.
simist like his mother. nor an optimist
which is a person who takes rosy
views Of life-likc his sister. Hc 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 duty. Dogs
and little children liked Hob DAYTON.
and ladies' ALWAYS had kind word for
him. lie was the sort OF boy YOU
would be glad to meet if you were go
ing down lonesome road when night
was coming on.
He had been trainboy for two years
on the branch ra lway between C.
and his little village home. and the reg
ular passengers had grown fond of him,
while chance travellers were generally
ready 10 buy from his basket and the
and brakemen were always
wiling 10 do him kind turn if they
,oul,,.
While his mother was grieving be.
ause laer son was only train boy. he
ras qualifying himself by thorough
css and fidelity to DO a great deal
noro by and b.. And bis sand wiches
zero very good. Kate took caro- Of
iat.
Arriving al the station few min q
los betafo tho train was ready. Rob
.uud Mira Main waring waiting Tor /
~ kAa MAs slss az 10 her pretty !