The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-01-28
RAMBLING ROBIN"
ny JAMES DAVENPORT.

by JAMES DAVENPORT.
People called him Rambling Robin"
You could have seen him almost any
1 day walking along with his head hang
ing down, and his eyes fixed on the
ground Nobody spoke to him, nor did
he speak to anybody. His clothes
were in rags. He wore no collar. Some
times red scarf was fastened round
his neck, but oftener 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 at
one time-others that he had been q
doctor, whilst many maintained that
7 he was man who had gambled away q
large fortune. Whatever he might
have been, we could all see that he was
no common vagrant.
do not know whether the peace and
good will which are supposed to come to
to do with it, but when passed him
one Christmas Eve few years ago, asI
was hurrying OF home, . sudden I'm.
pulse led me to stop.
"Wiu you come homo with me and
have your supper, Robin?" said.
3 BE stopped and lifted up his head.
Poor fellow! noticed the tears spring
70 his eyes. Kind words were strangers
70 him.
"My-my supper!" he gasped. II
never have any supper"
I quite believed him. In fact, II he
had said he never had anything to eatat
any time, should not have contradicted
him.
But make an exception tonight I,
urged. "Christmas-time, you know.
People break the ordinary routine OF
their lives at Christmas. Come along.",
He made no answer; at least, not
with words, but his eyes spoke plainly
enough, and, quickening his pace, we
Etrode along together towards my
home.
At last we reached the house, and my
wife opened the door. My little Mabel
came toddling to meet me, and as
lifted her up and carried her back on
my shoulder, 1 told my wife had
brought friend home for supper.
Robin and sat talking together
whilst Annie was getting the meal
ready. His face had frightened, and
his brilliant conversation confirmed the
opinion had formed of him, that he
wss Q man of culture.
Mabel climbed down from my knee,
and went across to Robin.
"Have 90 no little dirl?" she lisped.
|f He stroked her hair gently, and
shook his head.
~And no mammal" she asked, look
Ing first at me, and then at the smil-
Ing face of my wife.
Robin turned his face away. Trust
. child for finding the way to mans
4 heart.
mo, no mamma" he replied, after
pause.
Mabel sighed, and came across to me.
us zee poor MANI" she asked.
The Intervention Of my wife with the
Information that supper was re3dy
faaved me from replying.
The meal over, my wife rose to take
fllabel, to bed, but before she left the
room the little girl ran back, and climb
ing ON Robins knee, kissed him "Dood
q chairs to the fire. His eyes were shin
lng. He seemed different man. l
handed him a cigar, and we sat smok-
ing for awhile without speaking.
"Would you Like to hear the history
~ Rambling Robin p" he asked, bend
ne forward. IF you would, will tell
xou the first part. The second part
1hly begins tonight. You shall
ear that in a year or two."
I did not quite understand him, but
nodded and waited for him to start.
~Two ines," he began, frequently
Snnr TO me. You remember them:
srvho falls from all he knows of bliss.
f1ses little into what abyss
~ are the truest lines ever writ
- he said, and he stared into the
u Tor time without speaking.
fasten, and I will tell you how
Five years ago was young
Do i look young now?" and he
I'D to his sunken cheeks and gray.
I'D hair. 'And yet five eyears have
1o The difference.
~ name 10 Robin Aierne. wal
~ with my father in Scotland. ane
"a there met my Flora. can se'
hnu, q she was the day first me-
Il was . glorious day in June
rnnntered out with my rod In tn
r. and was whipping the stresu
~ aIonG ne outskirts of tn
foa ~ seund d swsst nusi'
- -. I tuRned Eound, -
Nonss. ~ I'D not sesa ~