Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-02-17

aRambling Robin.
z " NJ n You could have seen
~ N n him almost any day
SRJlDH walking along with
SMIH his head hanging
81 down, and his eyes
Su y. ~ fixed on the ground.
Nobody spoke to him, nor did he
speak to anybody. His clothes were
in rags. He wore no collar. Some.
ltilues red scarf was fastened round
his neck but olterer than not his neck
and chest were bare to the cutting
winds. Nobody knew where he came
from, and nobody cared.
Some said he had been an actor mt
one tims-others that he had been a
doctor. while many maintained that he
was man who had gambled away a
large fortune. Whatever he might
have been, we could all see that he was
no common vagrant.
I do not know whether the peace
and good will which are supposed to
come to all men at Christmas time had
anything to do with it, but when /
passed him one Christmas Eve few
years ago, as 1 was hurrying of home,
sudden impulse led me to stop.
evil you come home with me and
have your supper, Robin?" I said.
He stopped and lifted up his head.
Poor fellow! / noticed the tears
spring to his eyes. Kind words were
strangers to him.
"My-my superb he gasped. 81
never have any supper.
Iquite believed him. In fact, il he
had said hs never had anything to eat
at any time, ! should not have CON.
tradicted him.
'.But make an exception tonight, I"
Iurged. "Cbristmas time. you know.
People break the ordinary routine Of
their lives at Christmas. Come along" "
BE made no answer; at least, not
with words, but his eyes spoke plainly
enough, aud, quickenipg his pace, we
strobe along together toward my
home.
At last we reached the house, and
my wife opened the door. My little
Mabel came toddlIng to meet me, and
ss lifted her up aud carried her back
on my shoulder, l told my wife l had
brought friend home for supper.
Robin and I sat talking together
while Annie was getting the meal
ready. His face had frightened, and
his brilliant conversation confirmed
the opinion had formed of him, that
he was man of culture.
Mabel climbed down from my knee,
and went across to Robin.
."Have 90 no little diri? she lisped.
He stroked her hair gently, and
shook his head.
sAnd no mammal" she asked, look
ing first at me, and then at the smiln
ing face of my wife.
Robin turned his face away. Trust
a child for finding the way to mans
heart.
sNo. no mamma y he replied, after
o pause.
Mabel sighed, and came across to
me.
sis ee poor manp" she asked.
The intervention of my wife with
the information that supper was ready
saved me from replying.
The meal over, my wife rose to take
Mabel to bed, but before she left the
room the little girl ran back, and
climbing on Robins knee, kissed him
'tDood night" Then Robin and 1
pulled our chairs to the fire. His eyes
were shining. he seemed different
man. / handed him q Cigar, and we
sat smoking for while without speak
ing.
"Wouid you like to hear the history
OF Rambling Robiny'" he asked,
bending forward. "If you would, /
will tell you the first part. The second
part only begins tonight. You shall
hear that in a yea, or two."
did not quite understand him,
but nodded and waited for him to
start.
"Two lines" he began, "frequent.
ly occur to me. You remember
them:
Who fails from all be knows OF bliss,
Cares little into what abyss.
Tkey are the truest lines ever writ.
ten," he said, and he stared into the
fire for time without speaking.
sListen, and viii! tell you how
fell. Five years ago I was young
man. Do look yonng now?" and he
pointed to his sunken cheeks and gray
streaked ha'r. "And yet five years
have made the difference.
''My name is Robin Alerne. was
living with my father in Scotland, and
it was there met my Flora. can see
her now, as she was the day I first met
her. 1t was glorious day in June. I
had ssuntered out with my rod in the
morning, and was whipping the stream
which ran along the outskirts Of the
wood, when the sound of sweet music
fell on my ear. I turned round and
saw woman. She had cot seen me,
aud as she came along she sang in a
voice as sweet aud pure as was the
singer,
Her face is fair. her heart is true,
As spotless rs she's bonnie, u!
The opening gowan, wet W. dew,
Nae purer Is than Mannie,O q!
"She was singing her sunbonnct in
her hand, and the sun was playing
with her golden hair. Her neck was
bare, its whiteness contrasting with
her bonnie, sunburnt face.
"When she saw me she stopped and
blushed. Then she threw on her bon