Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-17


| spairing fashion, that Mrs. Halstead
| would come to the rescue. Then he
dreaded her look of disapproval at the
mess around the child. Toys Of
every descripton-pictures and picture
books, his watch, fancy bottle stop
| pers about everything not nailed-was
there. Still the imp cried: Mamma!
Mamma! Yobbie wants mammal
Yell, Yell. Yell!
The little spinster dressmaker who
lived in the hall room passed the door
| just as Robbie achieved a brilliant
chef d'oeuvre Of yells. She skipped by
In scared manner, hurriedly inserted
the key In her door and vanished.
| Peters and she had never exchanged
word, although he had occupied his
room ten years and she had been In
hers year before. He was preju-
| diced against her in those early days
because she ran sewing machine
sometimes at night. The cause had
ceased to exist, but the prejudice still
clung to him, although he never pro-
| tested against her. She on her part
had grown to regard him as a gruff old
ogre-past whose door she always
| fastened.
This afternoon he actually yearned
for her or Mrs. Halstead or any wom-
an to soothe the youngster. He sat
there wondering If she knew anything
| about children. He hesitated. Robbie
| began to take in air for another out
burst. Peters darted into the hall and
knocked timidly at her door
| A few minutes later the child was
sobbing on her breast, pouring out his
tale of woe in indistinguishable sylla-
bles, while the distrusted Peters
walked the floor, eying the imp ap-
prehensively. Miss Robinson held the
child tenderly, absorbed in her office
The foster father was entirely out of
the picture. The little woman loved
children dearly.
|
Mr.. Peters read the letter and heaved
a sigh Of relief. 1t was from his niece
and contained an invitation to make
his home with her. He had never
seen his niece until the executor of
| Il
of the heirs.
Mrs. Halstead came in person to
make his bed. The signs displayed at
the breakfast table had actually made
her blush and the boarders stare. Such
looks! Such smiles!
Mrs. Halstead," he began briskly.
Her portly form was bent with tuck
Ing in the clothes. 81 am thinking Of
making change in my life-a great
change" He paused for encourage
ment
yes" sweetly.
Now - you see - Robbie and this
woman next door-Miss Robinson-she
1 supposed women have-hem-great
ways with children" Warclouds gath
cred on the Widows face. "And r.
Not Miss Robinson" exclaimed the
landlady.
Bless me- yes" He looked at her
| In astonishment.
well, l declare" Out of the door
she hounced with blood In her eye
NOW, what Is the matter with herr"
he asked himself, rubbing his glasses
and peering down the hall. What
strange creatures women arep'
He had Intended telling her that from
the way Robbie took to the spinster 1t
seemed best to provide female care for
him in the person of his niece.
Papa" called Robbie. The old man
started. The boy had kicked the cov-
ers from his cot. Mr.. Peters looked
gravely down at him.
The boy grinned back, tossed his
bare fat legs and chuckled.
You you little imp" commented
Peters, with smile. do you known
His niece went out of the room with
her nose held high In air. He shook
his fist with latent rage at her vanish
ing form. The idea! Send the boy
back because, forsooth, she didn't like
children!
The muffled sound of sobs came to
his ears from Miss Robinsons room.
He felt the hush of "the great idea"
II - Mrs. Halstead- ordered me-to
move" the spinster explained fearful
ly when she answered his knock. at
seems SO like-like home"
Then he managed to get out 'the
great idea" She? Oh--well-for love
of the-boy-yes.