The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-27
RObbiG'S Victory.

Rob Preston put on his coat and hat
and came out of school very slowly,
and with perpleXed, troubled look on
his bright, sunny tace. Some of the
boys were already outside, and were
whispering and laughing about some
thing. Rob evidently knew what it
was, but had no wish to join in it !;
still. instead of hurrying away as he
mig ut have done, he fingered irreso-
lutely.
The truth was, Robbie was fighting
a real battle within himself. There
was q new scholar in school, little An
ME Hoffman. Her father was miser-
able drunkard, and they were poor as
poor could be. Her mother had done
her best, but poor Annie was a pitiful
sight in her faded, out-grown, ragged
garments.
Rob had discovered in some way
that few of the rOugher, more
thoughtless boys were proposing to
make some fun for themselves when
she came out of school to 60 home, and
all the afternoon his conscience had
been pleading earnestly with him.
You ought to try to stop shem,' it
said.
But they would not hear word of
a little boy like me-"
"Then you must help Annie; the
poor little thing will be frightened if
they laugh at her,"
Then they will laugh at me-" and
he fairly shivered with dismay at the
thought of the shout they would give
If he showed himself Annie's cham
pion.
"Well suppose they do laugh" said
conscience, pitilessly ''if you are
mammals little man, oughtn't you to
be brave enough to bear that? You
were wishing the other day that you
could do something brave and good !;
here is chance for you. If you can-
not do this little thing, you would
not be very apt to do any thing great"
So this afternoon had passed, and
now Rob must decide one way or the
other but it seemed to him that he
was no nearer decision than at first.
"We'H have some prime fun," he
heard Tom Rogers say; "she's the
greatest looking object Ive seen for
her age"
'Hullo there :" he called out, as An
ME appeared ; sis that rag-bag I see
walking round?"
The little group around Tom shout
ed as he spoke, and Rob'y face grew
crimson with pain for Annie and for
himself.
Don't please, boys" he said, plead
ingly "she isn't to blame, and it will
make her feel so bad to be laughed at"
80, run home, little Molly Coddle,"
S; id Tom, contemptuously; ''it will
take more than you to stop me-"
Rob walked OH few steps. What
should he do? o dear, why couldn't
he 90 right home; he could not stop
them they would probably only laugh
the more if he did any thing.
But Annie will feel as if she had q
friend"
II can't" said Rob, with little
choke; and boy that he was, his eyes
filled wit \ tears as he turned toward
the gate.
80, Rob Preston, Pm ashamed of
YOU" said the faithful inward moni-
tor; "how shall you feel when MANI
ma takes>your face between her hands
to give you your goodnight kiss and
calls you her little laddie. Will you
want 10 look into her face?"
There was just Il minutes hesitation
then Robbie turned aud went quick ly
up to where Annie stood quivering
with fear.
Come with me, Annie, I'm going
your way" he said and Annie caught
mold of his hand instantly.
81 am so afraid" she almost sobbed
"Im never coming again. l didn'l
want to to-day, but mother cried and
wanted me to-"
"I'll tell you," said Robbie, rcassur.
ingly, ave will go right home and tell
my mamma. She always knows just
what to do"
So they went bravely down the
walk, and though the boys tried tc
laugh, they could not make much of 9
success at it. Somehow Robbie's
sweet, wistful face touched them.
''He was plucky fellow" said one
after the two had gone. ..a
Yes, and more of gentleman than