The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-30
WHAT 10 TROUBLE.

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A company of Southern ladiqT-were ono
day assembled in lady's pari6r, when tho
conversation chanced TO turn on tke subject
of earthly affection. Each had ~ story Of
peculiar trial and bereavement 10 relate ex-
fcept ono pale, sad looking woman, whose
lustreless eye and detected air showed that
she was prey TO the deepest melancholy
Suddenly arousing herself, she said in a
hollow voice, "Not one Of you know what
trouble is"
"Will you please, Mrs. Gray" said the
kind voice of lady, who well knew her
story, "toll the ladies wha, you call trouble"
III will, If you desire it," she replied,
"for have seen it. My parents possessed
u competence, and my girlhood was sur
rounded by all the comforts of life. l sell
dom knew an ungratifed wish, and was al
ways gay and light hearted. | married at
nineteen one loved more than all the
world besides. Our home was retired; but
the sunlight never shown on lovelier one,
or happier household. Years rolled on
peacefully. Five children sat around our
table, and d 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 afoa,. Tie little stream near
our dwelling became a raging torrent. Be.
| fore we were aware Of it, our house was
surrounded by water; | managed with my
babe 10 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 ihey 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
! "Presidently my sons saw their danger,
and the struggle for life became the only
consideration. They were as brave, loving
boys as ever blessed a mothers heart, and
! watched their efforts to escape with such
agony as only mothers can feel: They were
so far of could not speak To them, but
could see them closing nearer and.nearer
/ 10 each other, as their little island grew
smaller and smaller.
! "The sullen river ragged around the hugs
| trees; dead branches, upturned trunks,
wrecks Of houses, drowning cattle, masses
of rubbish, all went floating pas, Us. My
boys waved their hands TO me, and then
pointed upwatd. knew it was a farewell
signal, and you. mothers. can imagine my
( anguish. saw them ali perish, and yet
iha, was not trol5Ie
"l hrgged my baby close to my heart,
and when the wafer rose TO my fee,, I
/ climbed into the low branches Of the tree,
aud 50 kept reiif!ng before it, till an AL
powerful hand staiI the waves, that they
should come no furher was saTed-aH
my worldly possessions were ;wep, away;
all my earthly hopes bl;ghted-yet that was
not trouble
"My baby was al had left On earth
labored night and day 10 support him and
myself, and sought 10 train him In the night
way; but a. ne grew oider. evil companions
won him away from ne. He ceased to care
for his mothers counsel; he would sueer AZ
her entrestizs and asouizing praYerz- He
lei; my huInbls roof thai ne might De IN
restrained in tie pursui: CT evil, aud. ii las;
when heated ty wine Que night, he took
the life OF i felow-belng. and ended bis
own upon the scaffold. sIF heavenly fath-
sf tad filed my cup Of sorrow betorss new
il ral over Thai was trouble ladies', such
as hope His mercy wsu spare you from
ever experiencing
There was 10 dry eye anoug her listen
ers. asd the .armest sympathy was ex-
pressed for the beteaved mother. whose
sad history had ;aught them L usefai lsssOu-