The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-12-31
Irue oll0 Beautiful Storm
From Chambers Journal
UNDER TIE UMBRELLA.

Ialloa cam, FRANK, ffcudy Qun l
let them pelt you so. Come here, quick,
under my umbrella THEN | guess the
snowballs won't touch you-qnick 20
The little urchins addressed fol-
lowed the wise advice, and began to
scalnper as fast as their little legs could
carry them toward the offered shelter,
tumbling down several times i'll their
haste, but scramblng up again, and soon
reached the friendly shelter Of the um-
brclla. They huddled together underit,
and then lowered it to the ground on the
side next their young assailants, raising
it now and then to utter shouts Of def
ance, or throw a volley Of sn0wbails, ii
their advcrsaries ventured too near.-
Thanks to their miniature fortress, they
came off victorious in the contest
A young girl was passing at the mo-
ment. Her face, all codness and pas
sionlcss, did not denote one quickly or
easily moved into either interest or
amusement. This expression, or rather
want of expression, seemed habtual,
whether natural or assumed. Now,
however, as she witnessed the scene,
smile, slight but rcrceptible, played
around her lips, but even the smile lad
something bitter in it, and it quickly
faded, first into ughfulness, then
sadness, then was lost in naninlaton.
In spite Of its need of heart warmth
and light, her face interested. One
could see with this need supplied, it
would be irrcsistiby beautiful, and lon
ged to make the attempt to wake into life
the chilled or sleeping powcrs-it powers
they werc--of love and happiness.
" Heighol wish ] could get under
an umbrella" she exclaimed, unconsci-
ously aloud, as she passed slowly ON.
Now Anne Rathburn did lot precisely
mean that she would Ike to creep under
an umbrella like the boys did She had
altogether too keen perception OF the
ridiculous, and possessed too nice sense
of propricty to suppose young lady
could do as little boys did. Besides,
although it had showed a little i'll the
morning, and had threatened to prove Il
stormy day, it had only been "malc
believe the sun was now shining bill
lantly; and secondly, if the threat had
proved reality, she had no fear Of wind
or snow or rain.
But Annie did mean that she wished
n protective shelter from the elements OF
domestic discord-frOm the cold shower
of petty annoyanccs and prosecutions
which daily pelted down upon her poor
heart, till all its hope and love and life
seemed to have died out, and it only sent
out feeble wall in the exclamation just
uttered.
CA strange wish, young lady, when
the sun shines so brightly but, however,
you shall get uuder my umbrella, if you
wish-it is large, and strong, and blue"
Annie met the scrutinisinS lock Of the
old lady who had addressed her, coolIy
and conlposedly, and surveyed her in
turn, though scarcely at first with so
much interest as curiosity. She might
have been near sixty, though the health
full color that still blushcd the scarcely
wrinkled cheeks, the keen bright eyes
and full erect figure, would have denoted
much younger age. Her voice was
harsh, yet not unpleasant, her manner
abrupt and independent. 1t was easy
to decide her position to be higher than
her dress indicated, and easier yet to
perceive her to be an eccenticity.-
Annie pride was disarmed by this very
eccentricity, and she answered:
"Though your umbrella may be large,
and strong, and blue, madam, it is neither
large enough, nor strong enough, nor
blue enough to protect me-. Keep it,"
J." How know you that, young lady .
You may sometime think very different
ly," she replied, with keen glance Of
her small, gray eyes. 1t is God
staunch UMBRELLA" and she held it up
before Annie's eyes Z" but, however,
since you disdain it, perhaps can give
you directions for making one which will
serve your purpose much better. Take
a square, very large square Of patience,
young lady, striped equally with kind
ness and firmness for the covering. But
the framework is the most important,
my child" and her voice grew solemn,
"that must be strong-cqual to any
weight which may either eXpectedly or
unexpectedly be placed upon it--strong,
invincible faith i'll Divine love and grace
The points of it must be tipped
with the jewels of love, faith, charity,
humility, forbearance, and all other
Christian graces. Delay not in making
it. 1t is well to be prepared for storms
even when the sun shines"
Annie was startled out of her COM
posture. "How could this singular per-
son have read so we'll the meaning of her
exclamation % she exclaimed, half
\ mockingly, half sadly.
GAIL these materials Where should
I find them -
"Where l hope you would find
some or all in yonr own heart, my child;
but if not there, you will find them only
at the foot of the Cross. Search for
them. Make it, and it will shield you
from many trouble. Let me find its
protecting shelter over you when we
meet again. Farewell"
Annie became lost in arcvcric so deep,
after the old lady had left her, that she
almost forgot several important errands,
but fortunately remembering them, turn
ed her steps homcward, lingeringly and
reluctantly.
God pity those who have a just dread