The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-30
NUMBER SO.
WHAT Is TROUBLE.

| A company OF coutnern iauies Wefo ono
day assembled id lady's parlor, when the
conversation CHANGED to turn on the subject
of earthly affiiction. Each had her story Of
peculiar trial and bereavement 10 relate ex.
cspt one pale, sad looking woman, whose
lusireless eye and detected aif showed THAI
she was prey to the deepest melancholy.
Suddenly arousing herself, she said in
hollow voice, 'tNot one of you know what
trouble Isl" - -r
"Will you please, Mrs. Gray" said the
kind voice Of lady, who well knew her
story, "tell the ladies what you call troublef"
"T will, if you desire it" she replied,
"for have seen it. My parents possessed
competence, and my girlhood was sur
rounded by all the comforts Of life ! sci.
dom knew an ungratified wish, and was al
ways gay aud light hearted. / married at
nineteen one | loved more than all the
world besides. Our home was retired; but
the sunlight never shown on a loyelier one,
or happier household. Years rolled on
peacefully. Five children sat around our
table, and little curly head still nestled in
my bosom. One night, about sundown,
one of those fierce black storms came on,
which are so common TO our Southern eli.
mate. For many hours the rain poured
down necessarily. Morning dawned, but
still the elements ragged. The whole Savan-
nah seemed afoai. The little stream near
our dwelling became raging torrent. Be-
fore we were aware of it, our house was
surrounded by water; I managed with my
babe to reach little elevated spot, on which
few wide-spreading trees were standing,
whose dense foliage afforded some protec-
ton, while my husband and sons strove to
save what they could Of our property. At
last fearful surge swept away my hus-
band and he never rose again. Ladies'
no one ever loved husband more; but that
was not trouble. .-e'.,
"Presidently my sons saw their danger,
and the struggle for life became the only
consideration. They were as brave, loving
boys as ever blessed mothers heart, and
l watched their efforts to escape, with such
agony as only mothers can feel. They were
so far off could not speak to Them, but I
could see them closing nearer and nearer
10 each other, as their little island grew
smaller and smaller. -.--.. &.
"The sullen river ragged around the huge
treesj dead branches, upturned trunks,
wrecks Of houses, drowning cattle, masses
of rubbish, all went floating past US, My
boys waved their hands 10 me, and then
pointed upward. knew it was a farewell
signal, and yon, mothers, can imagine my
anguish. | saw them all perish, and yet
that was not trouble.
T hugged my baby close to my heart,
and when the water rose to my feet,
climbed into the low branches of the tree,
aud so kept retiring before it, till an ALI
powerful hand staid the waves, that they
should come no further. was saved-all
my worldly possessions were swept away;
all my earthly hopes bl;ghted--yet that was
not trouble.
''My baby was all I had left on earth.
labored night and day to support him and
myself, and sought to train him in the right
way; but as he grew older, evil companions
won him away from me. He ceased to care
for his mothers counsel he would sneer at
her entreaties and aeonizing prayers. He
left my humble roof that he might be un-
restrained in the pursuit of evil, and, at las,
when heated by wine one night, he took
the life of fellow-being, and ended his
own upon the scaffold. My heavenly faith
er had filed my cup of sorrow before; now
il ran over. That was trouble ladies', such
as hope His mercy will spare you from
ever experiencing"
There was no dry eye among her listen.
ers, and the wamest sympathy was ex-
pressed for the bereaved mother, whose
sad history had taught them useful lesson.