The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-09

large enough, nor strong enough, nor blue
enough to protect me. Keep it."
Chow know you that young ladyP You
may sometime think very differently" she
replied, with keen glance of her small,
grey eyes. at is good staunch umbrella"
and she held it up before Annie's eyes;
"but, however, since you disdain it, per-
haps l can give you directions for making
one, which will serve your purpose much
better. Take square, a very large square
of patience, young lady, striped equally
with kindness and frmness for the covering.
But the framework is the most important
my child" and her voice grew solemn,
" that must be strong-equal to any weight
which may either expectedly or unexpec-
tedly be placed upon it-strong, invincible
in 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 we'll to be prepared for
storms even when the sun Shines"
Annie was startled out of her composure.
so well the meaning of her exclamation ?"
she exclaimed, half mockingly, half sadly.
"All these materials Where should
find them?"
"Where? hoped you would find some
or all in your own heart, my child; but if
not there, you will find them only at the
foot of the Cross. Search for them. Make
it. 1t will shield you from many trouble.
Let me find its protecting shelter over you
when we meet again. Farewell"
Annie became lost in reverie so deep,
after the old lady left her, that she almost
forgot several important errands, but fortu-
nately remembered them in season, and
after performing them, turned her steps
homeward, lingeringly and reluctantly.
God pity those who have just dread of
their homes Better far better, to be a
homeless wanderer on the face of the wide
earth, than have and fear the place which
heaven designed should be the safest refuge,
the dearest spot to the world-wearied-
world-troubled-to be approached with
eager steps and longing hearts; the one
oasis amid an earth-wide desert, where the
never-ceasing springs of love, and peace,
and happiness should ever be found.
The house which the young girl shrank
from entering bore no appearance of power
ty or discomfort. On the contrary it was a
large fashionable brick house, with cheerful
looking windows, into which the sunlight
smiled, with doors of inviting aspect.
Annie Rathburn had in that house a step
mother, a step-sister, two half-sisters, and
a half f-brother. Why was there aught for
dread in that fact =? We will answer. Since
the time the widow Hartley entered that
house as its mistress, the wife of Mr.. Rath-
burn, and step-mother to his only child,
the latter had been an object of envy and
dislike to the lady; and as her prejudices
were strong, and her disposition arbitrary
the martyrdom of the child Annie COM
menced not by blows or harsh language,
any of the luxuries to which the child was
accustomed. She was too polite for that,
and regarded the opinion of the world too
highly to hazard that; but by cutting sar-
casms, wounding the child in the tenderest
points, and the yet more effective weapon
of ridicule; by willful misunderstanding and
artful Misrepresentation to her father,
thereby alternating from her, in a great
measure, her fathers affection.
Had Annie Rathburn been of weak
character, or humble disposition, she had
been crushed long ere this, into the submis-
sive thing Mrs. Rathbum wished, with no
will of her own but the resolute, high
spirited child seemed unconquerable. Her
step-mother sometimes became discouraged
and regretted that since she could not con-
quer her, she had not rather endeavored to
manage her by.artful flattery and pretended
affection; but the time for that had long
since gone by.
Surely Mrs. Rathburn might have been
satisfied. Her work was apparent enough.
Annie from gladsome, warm hearted,
impulsive, generous child, had become a
proud, cold, unsocial, unsympathizing girl
of eighteen.
There was ono warm place in Annie
heart yet, however, and her little half
brother, Willie, had crept into it. He was
only six years old and had been an invalid
almost from his birth--a little, helpless
cripple. He was the only one Of the chill.
dren who resembled her father in features
or disposition and beautiful was the affec-
tion subsisting between Annie and this
child; he depending almost entirely upon
her for his pleasures she ever tenderly