The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-01-30
RAMBLING ROBIN"
BIZ JAMES DAVENPORT.

People called him Rambling Robin"
You could have seen him almost any
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. lie wore no collar. Some
times a 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 a
doctor, whilst many maintained tina
he was a man who had gambled away 4
large fortune. Whatever he might
have been, we could all see that he was
no common vagrant.
l 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 l passed him
n Christmas Eve a few years ago, as
was hurrying off home, 4 sudden i'm
pulse led NE 10 stop.
VIII you come home with NE and
have your supper, Robin" l said.
He stopped and lifted up his head.
Poor fellow. Noticed the tears spring
to his eyes. Kind words We're strangers
to him.
"My-my supper" he gasped. Il
never have any supper"
L quite believed him. In fact, if ne
had said he never had anything to a at
any time, l should not have c~ontradicted
him.
But make an exception to-night,"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
strobe along together towards my
home.
At FAST we reached the house, and my
wife opened the door. My little Mabel
came tOddling to meet me, and as l
lifted her up and carried her back on
my shoulder, 1 told my wife 1 had
brought 4 friend home for supper.
INOOLu anu l ShC tNAhlAS bOSStASA
whilst Annie was getting the meal
ready. His face had frightened. and
his brilliant conversation confirmed the
opinion l had formed of him, that he
was Il man of culture.
Mabel climbed down from my knee,
and went across to Robin.
Have 90 no little dirl?" she lisped.
II ---oI-.I - ha;- 1r,,-rr- oil
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
a child for finding the way to a mans
heart.
No, no mamma" he replied, after a
pause.
Mabel sighed, and came across to me.
is zee poor man." she asked.
The Intervention of my wife with the
information hat supper was really
saved me from replying. |
The meal over, my wife o to take
Mabel to bed, put before she left the
room the little girl ran back, and climb
ing on Robins knee, kissed him "Dood
night" Then Robin and | pulled Jul
chairs to the fire. His eyes were shin
ing. He seemed q different man.
handed him a cigar. and we sat smok-
ing for awhile without speaking.
Would you like TO hear the history
of Rambling Robin?'" he asked, bend
ing forward. IF you would, l will tell
you the first part. The second part
only begins tonight. . . . You shall
hear hat in a year or two"
l did not quite understand him. but
1 nodded and waited for him to start.
Two lines" be began, frequently
occur to me. You remember them:
Who falls from all he knows of bliss.
Cares little into what abyss.
They are the truest lines ever writ
ten," he said, and he stared into the
fire for a time without speaking.
Listen, and | will tell you how l
Five years ago l was a young
man. Do 1 look young now?" and he
pointed to his sunken cheeks and gray
streaked hair. And yet five years have
made the difference.
My name is Robin Alerne. l was
living with my father il Scotland, and
it was there l met my Flora. can see
her now. as she was the day ! first met
her. It was 4 glorious day in June.
! had sauntered out with my rod in the
morning. and was whipping the stream
ran along the outskirts of the
when the sound of sweet music
fell on my ear. l turned round. and
saw O woman She had not seen me,