Smyrna times., 1855-06-27
Criminal ArtieIe.
Written for the Smyrna Times.
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5llt T n o u B lie. .t

BY EXPONENT.


WHAT a mysterious thing trouble is! That
disquietude of the sprit-that bitterness of the
heart. which comes unbidden and mars all our
enjoyments. And yet it is something with
which we are all acquainted-all of us, in this
world of sorrow, know what it is to be troubled
and disqueted-to feel that weight at the heart,
undefGable, yet extremely oppressive.
There is not house, be it palace or a cot
tage, that is tenanted by man where this unwel-
come guest hath not often been-not heart in
which he has not had his abode. We may see
beautiful houses surrounded by fertile farms and
flowery gardens, where everything seems to
betoken neatness and comfort; and we may
say in our hearts. The owner of this mansion is
happy man, for everything around him con-
spires to render him such. But alas could he
hear our observations, he could tell US how
widely we were mistaken. Domestic troubles
may surround his hearth--ke may have met
with losses-a favorite friend may have for
saken him-a loved one may have been snatch
ed away by the hand OF death; or a hundred
al to another-pay embitter his soul, mar his
enjoyments and poison his pleasures.
We may, and often do-especially when we
are troubled ourselves-meet with persons who
wear cheerful exterior, who seem always con-
tented and happy, and we are ready to say of
them, "They are not troubled as other men,
neither are they plagued like other men -
but the heart knoweth its own bitterness"
and could we read it, even when the boisterous
laugh and ludicrous Jest burst from them, we
would often be surprised to see that there was
weight pressing upon the heart, which they
were striving to Tighten by mirth and festivity.
What an effect trouble will have around the
family hearth | have seen family group
lively and talkative, SO that there could scarcely
befound an intervening moment but that the busy
tongue of some one was in motion; and have
seen them when the unbidden guest has made
hts appearance among them. Then every
tongue was hushed and still-melancholy and
thoughtful, they sat silent, except when a sigh
heavy from long suppression, escaped from
some one Of the group, for weight sat on their
hearts and was as gall and bitterness within
them.
When we met with disappointments and vex-
atiOns, we are apt to imagine that no one else
is ever troubled as we are. Then envy springs
up in our hearts, and we are not only envy
other persons, but we are, also, sometimes silly
enough to envy birds, beasts and insects, which
being deprived of reason, can never feel trou-
Bile. | remember once, when in detection and
trouble myself, (for /, in common with Others
have often been sorely troubled) sat down in
saw-mill about nightfall, to mediate alone
While | sat there, there came along an old
man, notorious sot, who, had reason to be.
lieve, had not sufficient provision in his house
to supply the want of his family one week, Oh
the wherewith to procure more when that was
gone. lie took seat near me and commenced
talking, laughing and jesting in as fine humol
as possible. listened to him, although at tha
time little in the mood. At length, som,
pigeons alighted near US, and as gazed at tn,
innocent birds, envy sprang up in my heart, an,
exclaimed, /" Hall, don't you wish you were
Pigeon!" No." he replied, in an abrupt tone
"And why nOt!' | inquired. " Because,
said he, with an oath, "they are shot at to-
often," The reply, at the time, seemed s
ludicrous, though tull of meaning, that wa
convulsed with laughter; and though it ma
seem simple to others, l shall never forget il
and when feel troubled and of "a heavy hear
and see others whom feel disposed to eny,
the words Ofthe old vagrant occur to my min,
and Iconsider that they may have, and no doul
have some secret, unknown source of troubl
from whence the bitter waters are often fowinl
aud learn to be contented in the situation
which kind and wise Providence hath place
me. s-.s-a - p.a