The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-13
FOR PARENTS ONLY.
He Was the Youngest Boy Ever Cane
Grhoof.

ing at the play, or rather from visiting my
friends, the Robinsons.
Robinson, an amiable man except when
bis shoelace breaks, sat alone and GUM
in the study. His teeth were clInched, hia
face was pale and he stared hard at the
fire He welcomed me with An effort and
then forgot me. Heis business man and
am not; 50 ] concluded that stocks or
debentures had fallen OF risen Tor what
ever It IS these things do TO plunge those
who know what they are in despair, !
tried the drawing room and there found
the two little girls crying Mrs. Robinson
on the couch, with her face to the wall
This was serious, and seemed to me TO
mean at least corner In stocks
1t was not stocks, however, my hostesf
told me froa behind a handkerchief n
was Bobby. Had not her husband shown
me "the letterSp
Bobby is the heir aged seven. ! softly
withdrew from the drawing room and re
turned TO Robinson, who with trembling
arm, handed me "the letter" IL was from
the master Of q school 10 which Bobby goes
by train daily, except during the birdnest-
attention. The letter read thus:
DEAR SRI regret 70 have 20 apprise you Of
the fnct that l had today TO cane your son
severely. Re Is the youngest bOy have ever
caned. but bis delinQuencies have Of late been
20 frequent that no other course was open to
me This communication will doubtless cause
you pain, but the punishment viii have beDe-
fetal effect not only on him, but on the other
boys Of his age, whose leader In mischief he
has been. They wiz no longer make hero Of
one whom they have seen publicly chastised.
Tho disgrace OF the punishment, indeed, Is
greater than tho punishment itself. That
Robert may tsel his ehame more keealy have
read this letter 10 him, and he shall be the
bearer Of it TO you.
"And where Is Bobby mt presentW
asked, when had read this terrible letter
Crying his eyes oub in the nursery, no
\ doubt" answered Robinson. "Of course
should have him here, but ! can't face him
Il can't face him. Idon't blame his mas
ter, but Ny dear friend, think of iii The
youngest boy ever caned in the school
The marks won't wear of his hands for a
week, and tAiak Of bis agony Of mind
every time be looks at theml Bobby is a
sensitive boy, otherwise should not take
it 50 much 30 bears My hands, ! assure
you, ore tingiing as IL had been caned
myself"
Mrs. Robinson was for the moment not
on speaking terms with Robinson, because
he Sc emed 20 think ehat Bobby should con
time 10 20 TO such a school" II Bobby
had misconducted himself, surely the
blame lay with a master who did NOT I'M
derstand that he was boy who could best
be ruled by Kindness. She had never had
the least trouble with Bobby, No, he was
not'in the house. He had ran out imme-
diately after delivering the letter, and she
had searched for him everywhere In vain.
His pride had been broken. lie would
never be the same boy again. He was
afraid 20 be looked at. He was no doubt
hidden somewhere Ia the cold night, and
he had not even on his greatcoat and be
would catch his death Of cold.
IF he does. mamma" asked the older
girl, Frightening, will the master be
haugedf And, oh, do you think we could
get tickets?h
The night was dark, so we lii lantern
/ and set of 10 look for tho unhappy Bobby.
At last We found him-in Mr.. Mackinnon's
stable. We looked through crevices in the
woodwork and this Is what we saw;
Bobby in tremendous spirits was the
center'of a group Of enyious and admiring
youths. some Of them school fellows, others
ragged lads of the village. II they began
TO brag Bobby stopped them short with,
"That isn't nothing; you didn't never get
caned."
eyes, did, though" insisted one.
LET me see your hand, " retorted Bobby.
ooh, hol he won't, and cause there's not
no marks on &C."
"Let US see your hands again, Bobby"
Bobby held out his hands as proudly as
If they contained diamond.
"By guml say, Bobby, come and play
with me tomorrow"
LET me walk beside you, Bobby, and
I'll give you my crossbow. It's broke,
but
Bobby, Pm the one you like best, amt
IW
"Tm the youngest he ever lickedW cried
Bobby in a transport Of delight. He began
TO strut up and down the stable
well, then, you needn't bounce about
it like that"
"pm the youngest he ever caned! So
would you bounce If you was the young
est he ever caned."
"But, bobby
"Look here, you chaps" broke in the
hero OF the day II amn't not 10 be called
Bobby any more. You'll have 70 call me
Robinson now. He called me Robinson
when he caned me-"
CUM
"And what's more, Pm the youngest he
ever
The other Robinson here retired with a
hopeless look on his face. Mrs Robinson
seemed less humbled. l came home re-
fecting.-J. NJ. Barrie in Harper's Maya
zine.
Human Nature.
The following anecdote comes TO US from