The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-01-23
SNOW BOUND-'
BY { F. CLINGAN.

\ December understandable fist OF
the season-was just beginning to fall as
the younger portion of the Fairweather
family, rosy with exel else rushed int"
the back parlor where their Aunt Lizzie
sat, busy with some patchwork.
Isn't it too bad. Aunt Lizzie9 This
snow VIII spoil the skating" cried Madge,
who was fourteen and a rOmp.
But it will make good seighing; for
its damp and heavy: so it won't be like
ly to drift" observed Grace, who was
seventeen, and the young lady of the
family.
Robbie the baby of four years, swellt d
the chorus with wall over the loss of
several line icicles. which he bad bring
ed in to keep
4 laugh from his sisters followed,
Joined in by their aunt, who was sitting
near the fire, and who now drew the dis
appointed little victim of Jack Frost's
Vaccinations into her lap, to dry his
band had come to spend the holidays.
was a great favorte with her young
nieces ana nephew; for, though years bad
drifted SHOWS of an enduring winter
over her brown hair, her voice and smile
still wore the freshness and cheeriness of
youth.
ssIIoy onzya snow storm makes one
feel said Grace, sitting down opposite
her aunt, in a luxurious arm chair.
please tell us story, Aunt Lizzie. I'm
sure you have one in your mind, you
look so thong htful."
"Well, girls, | was thinking, just be-
fore You came in, of most memorable
snow storm, which occurred one New
Years Eve, thirty-tive years ago"
"Oh tell us - said two eager voices,
as the girls drew their chairs nearer the
fire, while Aunt Lizzie, pushing her
spectaces back, and looking out into the
fast gathering twilight and whiIl of fall
ing snow tlareS, began:
mother died three years before, leaving
me a little brother only few months
old, whom we will call Robbie, out of
compliment to the young gentleman
present. No mods and smiles, young
ladies, and no questions asked, though
you are at liberty to draw Your own con-
illusions as to the family history.
After Mamma died We went to live
! with our grandmother; and, as soon as
he was old enough to lun alone, Robbie
fell almost exclusively to my care. |
worSEiped the little fellow, who was as
handsome as a picture; and, as no one
interiered with me, petted and spoiled
him to my hearts content. Our father
was a sea captain, and only came home
twice a year; but, girls, his visits were
worthy of remembrance. If you could
see the presents he always came laden
with, and curiosities and souvenirs from
beyond the sea
"But, with one of his home visits, he
brought us something which little liked
or expected-a new Mamma. can well
remember the rage and despair that fill
ed my heart when | heard the news.
had heard and read of the tyranny of
step mothers until | fully believed that
nothing better could be in store for us.
My stepmother was a tall, blonde
lady, whose fair, girlish face almost be-
lied her thirty years, and possibly We
mis hit have been friends, had it not been
for Robbie. He was a high-tempered
little fellow, thoroughly spoiled, and self
willed to the last degree. But to me he
was perfect; and | resented the slightest
attempt at control on the part of our new
Mamma.
You can imagine what an unhappy |
household ours must have been with such
constant Earring. The crisis came, one
evening when battle ensued, in which |
We We're defeated. Robbie was compelled |
to obey, while |, Tho had been sent to |
my room, listened to his passionate
screams with heart nearly bursting
with Indignation. | sat planning until |
late. aud the sum total of my conclusions
was that | would run away and take
Robbie with me- where he would be out
of the reach of such tyranny.
To go back to Grandmamma' would
do no good; for she was a peaceable old
.ady, who had a horror of quarrels; and
that besides. did not suit the spirit of
my adventure. AT last a happy thought
struck me. My own mother had an aunt
living in the country, about twenty miles
away, who had written to me. the pre-
vious summer, inviting me to visit her.
She was a maiden lady by the name of
Dclilah Somerset, and though said to be
rather eccentric, would, no doubt, give
us a welcome, especially when | should
Inform her of our unhappy relations at
home.
consulting her letter, which | had
kept, | found in it all necessary informa-
ton in regard to the journey; part of
which was to be made by stage. | fairly
Rugged myself when | remembered that
Papa S generosity on his recent home
visit had left me in possession of plenty
of pocket money; and my dreams that
night, were visited by visions of farm
house kitchens after the style Washing
ton Irving loved to describe among the
old Dutch settlers, while a motherly old
lady kept saying: Bless, you, my chill
dIen, as she heaped our laps with nuts
and apples.
The next morning. making pretense
OF taking r bbie out to walk, concealed
il small travelling bag under my shawl;
and SO We set out on our jurney | was
III Il fever of excitement, and my cheeks
burned like fire; but no one noticed my
confusion, and ina shoit time Robbie
and | .yl,,v N q .,,