Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-09-23
General 1HtsreIIanu
From the New York Mercury.
UNDER THE UMBRELLA.

BY GRACE OARDNER
"Halloah Sam, Frank, Freddy don't let
them pelt you so. Come here, quick, under
my umbrella Then guess the snow-balls
won't touch you-guick f'
The little urchins addressed followed the
wise advice. and began to scamper as fast as
their little legs could carry them towards the
offered shelter, tumbling down several times
in their haste, but scrambling up again, and
soon reached the friendly shelter of the UNI
brolla They huddled together under it, and
then lowered it to the ground on the side next
their young assilaut, raising it now and
then to utter shouts of defiance, or throw
volley Of snow balls, If their adversaries ven
tured too near Thanks TO their miniature
fortress, they came off victorious in the con-
test
A young girl was passing at the moment.
Her face, all coldness and passionless, did not
denote one quickly or easily moved into either
interest or amusement This expression, or
rather want of expression, seemed habitual,
whether natural OF assumed Now, however,
as she witnessed the scene, a smile slight but
perceptblo, played around her lips, but even
the smile had something bitter in it, and it
quickly faded, first into thuugtfulness, then
sadness, then was lost in inanimation.
In spite Of its need of heart-warmth and
light, her face interested. One could see that
with this need supplied it would be irresisti
ably beautiful, and longed to make the attempt
to wake into life the chilled or sleeping pow
ors-t powers there were--oi love and happi-
ness.
"Hoghho | wish | could got under an
umbrella she exclaimed, unconsciously
aloud. as she passed slowly on.
Now Annie Rathburn did not precisely
mean that she would like to creep under an
umbrella like the boys did. She had alto
gether too keen perception Of the ridiculous,
and possessed too nice a sense of propriety 10
suppose young lady could do as little boys
did. Besides. although it had showed little
in the morning and had threatened to prove
stormy day, it had only been make believe y
the sun was now shining brillianuy and
secondly II the threat had proved reality, she
had no fear Of wind or snow, or rain.
But Anne atd mean that she wished pro-
tective shelter from the elements of domestic
discord-irom the cold shower OF petty annoy
ances and prosecutions which daily peltcd
down upon her poor heart. till all its hope and
love- and NE seemed to nave died ont and 1t
only sent out feeble wall in the exclamation
"a strange WISH young lady, when the sun
shines so brightly but, however, you shall
get under my umbrella # you wish--ltis large,
and strong and blue.
Annie met the scratnizing look Of the old
lady who had addressed her, coolly and COM
posedly, and surveyed her in turn, though
scarcely at first, with so much interest as Gu
riosity. She might have been near sixty
fHpMnh the hnnlfhful rpIor that Still Dlughpl
the scarcely wrinkled checks the keen bright
eyes and full erect figure would have denoted
a much younger age. Her voice was harsh,
yet not unpleasant her manner abrupt and IN
dependent. 1t was easy TO dicide her posi-
iion to be higher than her dress indicated, and
easier yet, to perceive her to be an eccentri-
city.
Annie's pride was disarmed by this very &C.
centrlcity, 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
"How know you that young LADY, You
may sometime think very differently she re-
Piled, with keen glance of her small, grey
eyes. 1t is good staunch umbrella, ~ and
she held It mp before Annic's eyes "but,
hhNANNls nfNNN lhN AAANAlh IT, pNthhp' Nall
give you directions for making one which will
serve your purpose much better. Take
square, very large square of patience young
lady, striped equally with kindness and firm
ness for the covering. But the framework is
the most important my child, and her voice
grew SOLEMN, "tidt must be strong-equal to
any weight which may either expeotedly OF
be placed upon it-strong, in
vncble in Divine love and grace. The points
Of it must be tipped with the jewels Of love,
faith, charity, humility, iorbearance, and all
other Christian graces. Delay notin making
t. 1t is well to be prepared for storms even
when the sun shines
Anne was startled ont OF her composure.
HOW could tins singular person have read SO
wen the meaning OF her exclamation she eX-
aaimed, hall mockingly, hall sadly
"A Il these materials Where should find /
Them
Where ! hoped You would tind some or
III IN your own heart my child but II not !
mere, you wili hnd them only at the foot OF
ne cross, search Tor them. Make H. 1t
VIII shield you ilom many trouble Let .
ne hnd ITS protecting shelter over you when Z
We met again Farewell
ANNE became lost IN reyerle so deep, after I
he old lady lett her. that she almost forgot I