The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-21
! 4, A,DlSAPPOlNPAIENT.

I III A. UlSAFPUlNTAl ENI.
.-..- -
New York obscTyer.l
Rob stood -by the window, in tho
moonlight. Il hope that il viii not
rain Tomorrow" he cried.
/ Does it i6ot like rain? Are there
/ clouds in the Westg' asked Harry.
90, hope noty' exclaimed Alice. ~
would cry my-eyes cut if it should
rain - ~
And go without eyes the rcst OF youy
lifeg' asked nurse. "Why Miss Alice,
who sends the raing'
"I8ut just think how rain would apoil
our picnic,n muttered Rob. 81 wish
that ! could hold the eleuds ia ny
hands"
! He turned quickly fron, tho window
| Just then, and saw his mother standing
/ in the doorway There was such y look
of surprise on her face, that Rob was
sure she heard his speech.
81 came 20 say goodnight to my dar
| lings," she said, "and-"
"'To tell us story" interrupted Alic0-
"Yes, little story that ! read in
poetry. ! will put it into prose for
you:
"a long while ago, far from here, in
a beautiful home by the seaside, lived
| four little sisters. They were rs merry
as the day was long, and rs happy ss
any other little girls IN the land, per
haPss, n
sst together under the trees, and mado
plans to spend day in the woods They
were to fill their baskets with al kinds
of nice things, aud they were to carry
games, and books, and whatever olso
they liked for entertainment. Father
and mother, and Uncle George would 90
with them; Uncle George who had his
head just brimful Of funny stories
Laura said.
'''If brother Maurice could only 30
here to goP exclaimed Cecilia.
'Bdt Maurice was a young mid,hip-
man, away at sea; they could not hopo
to have him at their picnic. How long
il seemed before the day would come
Many were the anxious thoughts about
the weather! II did not seem possible
that il could rain, when tEey wanted t5
go 50 very much!
'.The baskets were filed the night
before. Ring-toss and lawn-tennis were
In the hall, waiting 70 be carried 10 the
mountain. Five O'clock came. Minnie
was up to catch the first glimpse OF
sunfise! There were thick clouds in tho
east, though andno prospect Of clear
sunrise
Maybe It will be bright by ten
O'clock said Cecilia, hopefully.
Laura shook her head, declaring:
Father THINKS that n IS almost sure %
rain
"They counted the hours 10 breakfast
time. We will know then Cecilia
said. Minnie feel asleep, meanwhile
She dreamed that the clouds had all
passed away and that the merry party
was far up the mountain, with baskets
and games. She woke up soon, 20 hear
the great drops Of rain pattering against
the window pancs!
>. There were four sorrowful faces Gt
breakfast.table, that morning, or rather
ak sorrowful faces, for, OF course, the
Kind mother and father were troubled
by their chidren's disappointment,
though they were sure that it was for
the best | am sorry TO say that tue
children fretted about the rain all day
90 that no one fell asleep that night feel
ing very happy.
q A week passed. The rainy day was
forgotten, when, one evening, Just before
tea, there was a knock al the hall door
and then q cry of delight Elsie pecpcd
over the baluster, and saw her brother
Maurice, with his arms around his
mothers neck, crying aud laughing no
the same timel a moment more and
every one was in the hall TO welcome
him, and 10 hear how such a delightful
event as this homecoming had hap
'pehed i.at za A
b ''The story was soon told. His ship
had been wrecked ten days before. He
with two or three sailors, had escaped
They were at sea three days, in a small
open boat, with no fresh water, and with
the sun pouring its hot rays upon their
uncovered headsl
$50, dear mother, how hard We prayed
for rain Just for one little shower, even.
said Maurice.
"Did it rain, asked Cecilia, eagerly.
a Yes, it rained for a whole day
Wednesday, just week ago. We should
all have died if it had not been for that
dayp
s 'sThe sisters looked at one another
Their mother exclaimed: go, my dears
do you hear that? Do you remember.
II was the very same rain that made you
all so unhappy
:" Tell me all about It, said Maurice
How could the rain that saved me, make
you miserable?
" "'But we didn't know that it was 20
ing to save you, Maurice they said.
"'No, that is just the point said their
mother. eve do not, any Of us, know
what goods things we should prevent.
nor what terrible things would happen.
if we could always have our own
way. Think how il would have been 30
this case"
"They might never have seen Maurice
again, said Rob, solemnly, when his
mother had finished the story. "No
have no brother to be lost at sea, though"
he added.
"But perhaps some one may have
said Alice. cor the rain may be intended
for some one else, in some other way"
said Harry.
You may be sure that It is for the
very best, said their mother. ale who
holds the clouds in his hand, knows the
right moment to let them c6me down ia
showers upon the earth"
Rob looked ashamed He saw what a
foolish speech he had made. and how
well il is that the clouds are under
the control ef the one, wise Heavenly
Father.