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mJTrcIrr, AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER." "lfT3."
"Vol. VI. IVov Uloomflolcl, 111., Tuesday, July 09 1873. TVo. 28.
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The Step Daughter's Triumph,
OR
Annie Eathburn's Trials.
o
ttTJTALLOA! Sam, Frank, Freddy;
JLi don't lot them pelt you so. Come
here, quick, under my umbrella ! Then I
guess the snow-balls won't touch you
quick!"
The little urchins addressed followed the
wise advice, and began to scamper as fast
as their little logs could carry them toward
the offered shelter, tumbling down several
times in their haste, but scrambling up
again, and Boon reached the friendly shelter
of the umbrella. They huddled together
under it, and thon lowerod it to the ground
on the side next their young assail auts, rais
ing it now and then to utter shouts of de
fiance, or throw a volley of snow-balls, if
their adversaries ventured too near. Thanks
to their miniature fortress, they came off
victorious in the contest.
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 ex
pression, or rather want of expression,
seemed habitual, whether natural or assum
ed. Now, however, as she witnessed the
ceno, a smile, Blight but perceptible, play
ed around her lips, but even the smile had
something bitter in it, and it quickly faded,
first into thoughtfulncss, thon 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 ir
resistibly beautiful, and longed to make
the attempt to wake into lifo the chilled or
sleeping powers if powers there were
of love and happiness.
" Ileighho 1 1 wish I could get under an
umbrella 1" she exclaimed, unconsciously
aloud, as she passed slowly on.
Now Annie Rathburn did not precisely
mean that she would like to creep undor an
umbrella like the boys did. She had alto
gether too keen a perception of the ridic
ulous, and possessed too nice a sense of
propriety to suppose a young lady eould do
.as little boys did. Besides, although it
liad snowed a little In the morning and had
threatened to prove a stormy day, it had
only been " make believe" the sun was
now shining brilliantly; and secondly, if the
threat bad proved reality, she had no fear
of wind, or snow or rain.
But Annie did mean that she wished pro
tective shelter from the elements of domes
tic discord from the cold shower of petty
Annoyances and persecutions which daily
; pelted down upon her poor heart, till all its
faope and love, and lifo, seemed to have died
out, and it only send out a feeble wail in
the exclamation just uttered.
" A strange wish, young lady, when the
tun shines so brightly; but, however, you
shall get under my umbrella if you wish
it is large, and strong, and blue."
Annie met the scrutinizing look of the
old lady, who had addressed her, cooly and
composedly, and surveyed her in turn,
though scarcely at first, with so muoh inter
est as curiosity. She might have been near
sixty, though the healthful color that still
fi ushed the scarcely wrinkled cheeks, the
lcoen bright eyes and full erect figure, would
liave denoted a much younger age. Her
voice was harsh, yet not unpleosaut, her
manner abrupt and independent ' It was
easy to decide her position to be higher
than her dress indicated, and easier yet, to
perceive ber to be an eccentricity. .
Annie's pride was disarmed by this very
eccentricity, and she answered: .
" Though your umbrella may be large,
and strem;, and blue, wadam, it is neither
large enough, nor strong enough, nor blue
enough to protect me. Keep it."
" How know you that young lady? You
may sometime think vory differently," bIio
replied, with a keen glance of her small,
grey eyes. " It is a good staunch umbrella,"
and she held it up before Annie's eyes;
" but, however, since you disdain it, per
haps I can give you directions for making
one, which will serve your purpose much
better. Take a square, a very largo square
of patience, young lady, striped equally
with kindness and firmness for tho covering.
But the frame-work is tho most important
my child," and her voice grew solemn,
" tluit must bo strong equal to any woight
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 jowels of love,
faith, charity, humility, forbearance, and
all other Christian graces. Delay not in
making it. ' It is well to be prepared for
storms even when the sun shines."
Annio was startled out of her composure.
" How could this singular person have road
so well tho meaning of her exclamation?"
she exclaimed, half mockingly, half sadly.
"All these materials ! AVhere should I
find them?"
" Where? I 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. Hake
it. It will shield you from many a trouble.
Let me find its protecting shelter over you
when we meet again. Farewell."
Annie became lost in a reverie so deep,
after the old lady left her, that she almost
forgot several important errands, but fortu
nately rcmombered them in season, and
after performing them, turned her stops
homeward, lingeringly and reluctantly.
Ood pity those who have a just dread of
their homes I Better far bettor, to be a
homeless wanderer on tho face of the wide
earth, than have and fear the place which
lyiven 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 appearanco of povor
ty or discomfort. On the contrary it was a
largo fashionable brick house, with cheerful
looking windows, into which tho 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-brother. Why was there aught for
dread in that fact ? We will answer. Since
the time tho 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 Jiarsh langurge,
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 misrepresentations to her father,
thereby alienating from her, in a great
measure, her father's affection.
Had Annio Rathburn been of a weak
character, or humble disposition, she had
been crushed lone; ere this, into the submis
sive thing Mrs. Rathburn 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 tho time for that had long
since gone by.
: Surely Mrs. Rathburn might have been
satisfied. Her work was apparent enough.
Annie from a gladsome, warm-hearted,
impnlslve, generous child, had become a
proud, cold, unsocial, unsympathlzlng girl
of eighteen.
There was on warm - place in Annie's
heart yet, however, and her little half
brother, Willie, bad 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 chil
dren who resembled her father in features
or disposition ; and beautiful was the affec
tion subsisting betweeu Annie and this
child : he depending almost entirely upon
her for his pleasures she ever tenderly
ministering unto him. It was the wonder
of the family, that of them all, Willie car
ed most for cold, quiet Auule, and was ever
happy when sho was with him. But it was
only when alone with him that Annie mani
fested the least tenderness ; but then ah 1
well might he persist in saying; " he knew
sister Annie loved him."
Lilly, the youngest child, was four years
old, Eva just bursting iuto womanhood,
and Edith Hartley a few mouths oldorthan
Annio.
Both Edith and Eva were radiantly beau
tiful, strongly resembling their mother in
features as well as in mind. The former
was vain, selfish, and unfeeling ; but she
seemed so amiable and artless, and was so
brilliant, and could render herself so agreea
ble, it was difficult at first to read her true
character. Eva was less artful ; and was
kind, and pleasant enough when her wishes
were not thwarted, but ill-tempered and
unreasonable otherwise. It may well be
believed, that with their mother's example
and training, they did not assist in mak
ing Annie's home pleasanter to her.
Annie's position was scarcely altered by
her father's death, three years before our
story opens. He was an easy, unsuspicious
man, and his wife had long swayed him
completely by her superior art and stronger
will. Ho trusted her completely ; and be
fore his death, made no separate provision
for his children ; but, by his will, both they
and his considerable proporty, were left to
her sole guardianship.
Now as before, Annie was treated as ono
apart from the family. In the frequent
family consultations, she was never con
sulted. All their arrangements were mado
without the slightest reference to her wish
es or convenience. Sho was in evory way
made to feel her isolation. Now, as before
there was a silent contest going on between
her step-mother and herself she strug
gling bravely though quietly for her rights;
the former, to withhold them. The contest
was unequal ; but, if Annie was sometimes
apparently subdued, she was never con
quered. There was an additional reason why An
nie was unwilling to return home this par
ticular ' day. She expected to find there
Mrs. Lothrop, an old and valued friend of
her father's, who had written three weeks
before, that she was coming to make them
a long visit ; and that, on her return, she
would invite one of the young ladies to
make her an indefinitely long visit.
The wildest hopes had boen raised in
Mrs. Rathbura's bosom by tho reception of
this letter ; for Mrs. Lothrop was possessed
of an enormous fortuno, without a single
relative in the world save a great-nephew
who was also heir to a large property, as
much as any reasonable man noed wish to
have. Her grandson and destined heir had
died three years before. What so proba
blo, thon, as that she was about to choose
an heiress to her wealth, and had thought
as it was proper she should think of the
children of her most valued friend ? She
certainly must have Borne particular object
in proposing this visit at this time, when
she had never visited them before, though
often urged to do so. Mrs. Rathburn had
nover Been her.
Thus Mrs. Rathburn reasoned ; and she
determined that either Edith or Eva should
be tho future heiress.
Great were the preparations mode for
the expected guests for Mrs. Lothrop's
nephew, Mr. Kirk wood was to accompany
he, and many hints given to Edith and Eva
concerning their bearing to both for Mrs.
Rathburn hod her designs on both aunt
and nephew.
From childhood Annie had hoard of Mrs.
Lothrop. She had been charmed with the
various stories told of her great-hearteduess
and eccentricity, and cherished the most
exalted opinion of her character ; but much
as sho would have liked to see and know
her undur other circumstances, tho knowl
edge of her step-mother's designs made her
apprehend that the visit would be product
ive of too much unhappiness and mortifi
cation Of horself, in her stop-mother's fear
that sho might find favor in tho eyes of her
father's friond, to desire it
Slowly, therefore, she ascended the steps.
The trunks yet in the hall, the unusual
bustle that prevailod, and confused mur
muring of voices, admonished ber that the
expocted guest had arrived. - ' . . .
When she entered the parlor, a short
time after, Mrs. Rathburn said: " This is
Annie," in a tone that at once told her that
she had been the subject of previous con
versation and she knew lull well that
whatever her step-mother might have to
say about her, could not have iieen to her
advantage. '
The rare smile seldom seen on Annie's
face, whloh had lighted it at the anticipa
tion of seeing Iter father's friend, faded
away at this tomtthing in her mother's tone;
but still, with more cordiality than she was
wont to show, she advanced to tho lady.
What was her astonishment, when she
preceived her to be the stranger who had
accosted her on the street. With a start,
and a bright smile of recognition, she held
out her hand. With mortification she saw
that the lady either did not or would not
recognize her. Hor hand was just touched,
not taken, and a brief inquiry made after
her health in a business-like tone, to which
Annie, instantly relapsing into even more
than her usual icinoss of manner, roplied
laconically, almost haughtily. Hor step
mother's glanco sought Mrs. Lothrop with
an expression which said: "You Bee it is
as I told you."
Annie was then named to the elegant
and distinguished looking strangor, con
versing with Edith Hartely, in the bay
window, and who was so engrossed with
his fair companion, that he barely gave her
a bow, scarcely a glance.
Mrs. Rathburn was delighted at Annie's
cool reception from Mi's. Lothhrop, so dif
ferent from what Edith and Eva's had
been. She did cot reileot that these young
ladjos, acting according to her instruction,
had given the lady no choice, but had re
ceived her with such rapturo, and over
whelmed her with so many attentions and
caresses, that she could not have repulsed
them without absolute rudeness. But Mrs.
Rathburn did not consider this, and con
gratulated herself that her hints regarding
Annie had so marked an effect.
Annio was not mistaken in her apprehen
sion of annoyances and mortifications: they
were, indeed, innumerable. She never op
posed words to injustice, or condescended
to explanations. When a child, goaded at
times beyond her quick, warm temper to
bear, she givo way to the most violent par
oxysms of tears and passion ; but that was
long ago, and she had had both time and
opportunity to learn command of tongue
and temper ; therefore she ondured taunts
and sarcasms, apparently hiden from
by their clothing of smiles and kindness
the wrong construction put upon her words
and tho false motives ascribed to hor ac
tions, silently and with an immoveable
countenance ; and when, at last, she took
refuge with Willie the greater part of tho
time, Mrs. Rathburn, with a pained air,
" hoped Mrs. Lothrop would excuse poor,
dear Annie's incivility in neglecting to
rendor the attentions due to her, and the
unnecessary absenting of herself from her
presence She had ventured to hope that
Annie would at least treat with respect so
dear a friend of her father's. As for af
fection she had long since dospared of her
feeling that for any ono ; indeed she seem
ed to be without heart or feeling she cared
for no living thing but for herself. No one
could tell the grief and trouble she 'hod
caused ber so different from her other
children with their affectionate and sel
fish dispositions, who would do all they
could to repair Annie's neglect ; they
themselves were obliged to bear a groat
deal from her."
As Mrs. Lothrop listened to this and
other like remarks with attention and in
silence, Mrs. Rathburn became sure of her
sympathy, and grew less guarded in her
manner of speaking to her of Annie.
One morning, Mrs. Lothrop who had
come in her own carriage, said she would
be happy to have two of the ladies accom
pany Mr. Kirkwood and hersolf on a short
drive. Mrs. Rathburn, whose income did
not permit of an establishment, replied
that Edith would bo delighted to go she
horself would be most happy to accompany
them, but some domostio affairs required
her personal superintendence, therefore
Eva would take her place -
Annio, who was present, seemed to be
entirely out of the question. Mrs. Rath
burn saw Mrs. Lothrop glauce at hor, and
repliod to the look, by saying in a low
voice, but audible to all :
" I should have proposed Annie going,
but oould not bare to inflict hor upon you.
Yon know she does make herself so dis
aroeable 1 Sho would not enjoy it herself,
nor suffer any one else to do so."
" Is the girl an idiot 1" thought Mr.
Kirkwood, glancing at Annie's inanimate
face during this speech. It was the first
thought or glance ho had given her, and
she was speedily forgotton in the fascinat
ing attractions of Edith.
" Duped 1 duped completely by their ait
and flattery !" thought Annie, bitterly; and
with a slight feeling of contempt for Mrs
Lothrop's weakness, looking up for tho
first time, as they were going out of the
room, and meeting the eyes of the subject
of her thoughts fixed upon bsr with the
same keen glance she had felt tho morning
of their first acquaintance, seeming to road
her thoughts.
Servants are quick to learn the degree of
estimation iu which the various members
of the family are held. A new servant
had been engaged for a fewjdays before Mr.
Lothrop's arrival. She soon preceived it
was not necessary to take much pains to
please "only Annie." She entered the
room one morning to ask Mrs. Rathburn
where sho should find some articles she
needed. Mrs. Rathburn was very busily
engaged, and replied :
" Ask Miss Edith if she will please no !
there's Annie 1 tell hor to show you."
The girl approached Annie, and said
familiarly :
"Annie! Mrs. Rathburn says you ,are
to show me where to find the new curtains
to the east chamber."
Annie neither moved or seemed to hear.
The girl repeated her name. Annie looked
up and asked quietly :
" Do you wish anything of Miu Annie?"
The girl understood tho reproof, and
looked abashed. She said respectfully:
If you would pleaso, Miss Annie, to show
me where to find the curtains." i
The young girl rose and followed her
out, and was never afterwards addressed
by her, save iu a respectful manner.
As Annie passed Mrs Rathburn in
going out of the room, the latter said,
coldly, to Eva: v
Annie's dignity seems to cause her a
great deal of trouble"
Susan was not the only person from
whom Anuie was forced to exact respect.
The children were both in the library. It
was a cheerful sunny room, and little Wil-.
lie had been carried into it during the air
ing of the nursery. Annio was with them.
The door opened suddenly, and Mr.
Kirkwood looked in. He had seen but
little of Annie. It is doubtful, in truth, if
ho could have told in what relationship she
stood to the beautiful Edith, so little had
he heeded her. That she was not consider
ed of much importance in tho family ho
must have been aware, and, judging from
this as well as from her manner, concluded,
without giving the subject further thought,
that she was in reality the weak, charact
erless girl she seemed.
This opinion might unconsciously have
influenced him, or else in his haste be was '
forgetful; at all events, though he was
usually a courteous man, even to his in
feriors, he said, without the morning sal
utation: "Ah 1 1 thought Miss Edith was here.a
Can you tell mo where she is ?"
Anuie said, pointedly: "Good morning,
Mr. Kirkwood," and after a minute's
pauso, replied to his question:
"Edith was here a moment ago. Sit
down, if you please; Lilly will call her."
Tho child went at hor bidding.
The gentleman colored and smiled at the
idea that it was necessary that he, with
his advantages of socioty aud travel,
should be taught manners by " ouly An
nio." Concluded next week.
Never Satisfied.
"Johnny come here," said Dr. Fry to
his little hoy, who was playing on the car
pet in the dining-room ; " here is an apple
for you."
It was so largo he could hardly grasp it.
Dr. Fry then gave him another apple which
filled the other hand.
"Here is another," said he, giving the
child a third. : ,
Little Johnny tried bard to hold it be
tween the other two, but could not suc
ceed ; it rolled away across the floor. On
seeing this, he burst into tears. ,
"See," said Dr. Fry to a lady who was
present, "here is a child with more than he
can enjoy, .and yet not tatitfled. My child
is just like us all. We are ever seeking to
possess more and more of tho world's trea
sures, and yet we are never satisfied. Oh !
that we were equally In earnest in "grasp
ing" the promise of the Gospel."
ty A lady promts od to give her maid
twenty-five dollars as a marriage portion.
The girl got married to a roan of low stat
ure, and her mistress seeing him, was sur
prised, and said, , f
" Well, Mary, what a little husband you
have gotl" it.,
" La 1" exclaimed the girl, "what oould
you expect for twenty-five dollars?" -
There are many fruits, which never
turn sweet until the frost has lain upon
thorn. There are many nuts that never
fall from the boughs of the forest .trees till
the frost has opened and ripened them.
And there are many elements of life, that
never grow sweet and beautiful, until, sor
row touches them. .