The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-20

commenced by MIR. Montgomery, there was
no time for thanking Leila, even had she
been so disposed, and without once lifting
her eyes. she took the vacant chair near
him. What could have made Mr.. Mont
gomcry read such chapter that morning
1t was abont tie prophet Elijah praying
seven times for rain, and now God answer
cd him. And then he explained what n
blessing rain is. and how thankful we
should be to our heaven v Father. who gives
us, rain from heaven and fruitful seasons.
filling our hearts with food and gladncss.
He reminded the children also. that, al
though the weather God was pleased 10 send
might interfere with our selfish pleasures,
we should be careful not to mnrmur at his
will, for he is always wise, and Just, and
good. Then in his prayer he thanked God
who had given them shelter from the storm,
and the comforts of happy home, and
asked that Ills goodness might lead them to
repentance for sin, and gratitude for so
many mercies.
Had Leila told her uncle about Rosa's
tears? No indeed, she was far too kind
! for that: but Mr. Montgomery took every
opportunity Of leading his children to watch
and admire the providence of God, and to
connect in their minds his works with bis
word.
A few hours after breakfast, every dav
were spent by Rosa and Leila at lessons
with Mrs. Montgomery. Grace had little
Charlie under her care and though he did
not now mistake BIS for d's, rs lie used a
year ago, still good deal more attention
on his part, and patience on that Of his sis
ter would be necessary before lie could he
! admitted TO the school.room to take his
place with the elder children. Herbert had
not yet been sent to public school, but
his education was attended to by an excel
lent tutor, whose instructions were SO inter
esting that the girls, and even Charlie, some
times begged to have lesion with Mr..
Lane.
Things went on pretty well rs long as the
morning studies lasted, but when the books
were cleardcd away, and there seemed no
hope that the clouds would vanish in like
manner. Rosas grief returned with fresh
violence. Leila had taken her knitting,
end under the direction Of Grace was Just
finishing of long warm stocking, Which
she had spent many days in making. The
last was almost done and the pleasure of CIV
ing them away was near. And for whom we're
they intended For poor Willie Brown,
because Leila had heard how much worse
his leg became from the cold; and she
thought nice pair Of lambs stockings
would do him good. And it is wonderful
how fast time flies when we are rsefully en-
poved. Herbert sat at the table copying a
drawing, though now and then disturbed
by Charlie, who was busily engaged in a
new puzzle, and sometimes needed advice
from bis elder brother on this subject
Rosa was alone unemployed. She stood
leaning her head against window pane,
and looking at the leaness trees as they
bent before the wind.
4 am so miserable sshe cried at lengh,
every one is happy butfme: -
Would you not try TO- be happy too =
asked Grace.
i cannot Grace you know hate rain
Il am sorry You hate SO good thing,
dear. Come let us see if we can guess
where it comes from, and some of its uses,
1t comes from the sky of course said
little Charlie.
But how did it get up there + asked lis
sister.
oh, think I know replied Herbert,
raising his eyes from his drawing. Mr..
Lane told me to-day thatAh sun evaporales
or drinks up water ft0m the sea, the rivers.
the ponds, and even the little streams, and
that the water is then in the form of vapor,
which rises in the air and becomes clouds.
These clouds sometimes grow very heavy,
and then they faH, down,in rain. g
But surely, grace suggested Leila, Hthe
lovely white clouds we sometimes see on
clear day, and those beautiful red ones we
so often watch when the sun is settingaanL
that angry-looking black, cloud before US,
cannot all be made Of the same thing
They are indeed, my dear; but some
are denser or thicker than others, and the
rays Of sunlight gives the clouds those va
ried tints. God sends the wind to carry
these clouds to places that need rain, and
there they pour down refreshing showers.
| Just think how sad it would be if there
were no rainr
1t would bedeIighlul,' INTERRUPTED Rosa.
oh, ths swingand tile wax-works.'
! mean thstthe want Of rain for along
time would desrtoy every living thing
How is thatg' inquired Rosa.
DO you not remember. flowers in. your
garden were dying last summer because you
forgot to give them water T. .Nowsahe corn.
fields and orchards would.perishsipsth the same
way if God did not water tbemE sEhe ris.
ers would dry up, the sesings cense to: flow,
the poor ap}mals die softhirsty and We should
| Ourselves all die. How lender ia iI,e oare
of God over alh his creatutesl ,ilow thankful
we should bs for his goodnessg - al:
During the conversatiop Rosa's bad tenn
! per gradually twors am sasti. before Mr..
Montgomery returned from town in thssf:
ternoon all was itunshins- ;iprdoors 10 least
~ tIt8stsg. eassse, ,Qtilds Comp
| AsEor Tosls 4 ts 6tsase v,o b ppiebasa l, Il
kpouItry will observe that # aliens spbr. Il
hard, and the scalessan the legs rouigE sshe
1 is Sld i ,hss lead ;os on Che eoPb wilIs 3