The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-01-28

Il Is MIN almost any q
SEDN walking along with
~NF his head hanging
y down, and his eyes
wv ~ 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 a red scarf was fastened round
his neck but oltener 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 IN actor mt
one time-others that he bad been a
doctor, while many maintained that he
was q nan who had gambled away a
large fortune. Whatever be 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 all men at Christmas time had
anything to do with it, but when l
passed him one Christmas Eve 1 few
years ago, as l was hurrying of home,
a sudden impulse led me to stop.
"Will you come home with me and
have your supper, Robin" l said.
He stopped and lifted up his head.
Poor felIowl / noticed the tears
spring to his eyes. Kind words were
strangers to him.
"My-my support" he gasped. 81
never have any supper"
Iquite believed him. In fact, il he
had said no never had anything to eat
at any time, l should not have con-
tradicted hun.
"But make an exception tonight"
urged. "Christmas time. you know.
People break tho ordinary routine OF
their lives ut Christmas. Come along"
He made no answer; at least, not
with words, but his eyes spoke plainly
enough, aud, quickening his pace, We
strobe along together toward my
home. 80
At last 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, l told nay wife l had
brought a friend home for supper.
Robin and / sat talking together
while Anuie was getting the meal
ready. His face had frightened. and
his brilliant conversation confirmed
the opinion had formed OF him, that
he was q man OF culture.
Mabel climbed down from my knee,
and went across to Robin.
"Have 90 no little dirl? she llsped.
He stroked her hair gently, and
shook his head.
"And no mammal" she asked, look.
ing first at me, and then at the smll-
ing face OF my wife.
ROBIN turned his. face away. Trust
q child for finding the way to q mans
heart.
"No, no mamma" he replied, after
a pause.
Mabel sighed, and came across to
me.
us co poor man?" the 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
"Dood night" Then Robin and |
pulled our chairs to the fire. His eyes
were shining. He seemed a different
man. / handed him a cigar, and we
sat smoking for a while without speak.
ing.
Would You like TO hear the history
OF Rambling Robin" he asked,
bending forward. "If you would, 1
will tell you the first part. The second
part only begins tonight. You shall
hear that in u yea, or two"
l did not quite understand him,
but nodded and waited for him to
start
1.-Two lines" he began. "lrequcnt.
ly occur to me. You remember
them:
Who fails from all he knows OF bliss,
Cares little into what abyss.
thcy uIc Tue tTueSt liueS cNcT VIII
ten," he said, and he stared into the
fire for a time without speaking.
"Liste2, and / will tell you how ]
fell. Five years ago ! was n young
man. Do l look young now?"'anl he
pointed to his sunken cheeks and gray
b,reaked HAIR. "And yet five year.
have made the difference.
"My name is Robin Alerne. l was
living with my father in Scotland, and
it was there | met my Flora. l can see
her now, as she was the day 1 first met
her. II was a glorious day in June. !
had ssuntered out with my rod in the
morning, and was whipping the stream
which ran along the outskirts Of tn,
wood, when the sound OF sweet music
fell on my eur. / turned round snC
saw u woman. She had not seen me,
and 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,
IS spotless Ms she's bonnie, o!
The opening gOwan, wet wi dew,
Nae purer is than Sannir, y!