Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-10-01
The Overlooking Cup.

~ company oI SOuthcrn ladies' were
once assembled in a friends parlor,
when the conversation CHANGED to turn
on earthly affliction. Each had her sto-
ry of peculiar trial and bereavement to
relate, except one really sad looking wo.
man: whose lusterlcss eye and detected
air Showed that she was Frey 10 the
deepest melancholy. Suddenly arous-
ing herself, she said in hollow voice,
mot one of you knows what trouble is
"Will you please. Mrs. Gray" said
the kind voice of a lady who we'll knew
her story. "tell the ladies what you call
trouble
81 will, if you desire" she replied,
''for have seen it. My parents had a
competence, and my girlhood was sur
rounded with all the comforts of life. |
seldom knew an ungratified wish.
was always gay and light hearted, and at
nineteen married one loved more than
all the world beside. Our home was re-
tired, but the sun never shone on love
lier one, or on a happier household
Years rolled on rcacefully. Five
children sat around our table, and lit
tie curly head still nestled in my bosom
One night, about sundown, one ef those
fierce. black storms came on, which are
so common in our Southern climate -
For many hours the rain poured down
inccssantly. Morning dawned and still
the clements raved. The whole Savan-
nah seemed ahoat. The little stream
near our dwelling became raging tor
rent. Before we were aware of it our
house was surrounded by water | man
aged, with my babe. to reach little
spot on which a few wide spreading
trees were standing, whose dense foliage
afforded some protection, while my hus-
band and sons strovc to save what they
could of our property. At last fear
full surge swept away my husband, and
he never rose again. Ladies, no one
loved husband more-but that ,cas no,
trouble.
Presently my sons saw their danger,
and the struggle for life became their
only consideration. They were brave,
loving boys as ever blessed mothers
heart, and watched their efforts to cs-
cape with such agony as only mothers
can feel. They were so far off that |
could not speak to them. bat | could see
them closing nearer and nearer to each
other as their little islands grew smaller
and smaller.
The sullen river ragged around the
huge trees; dead branches, upturncl
trunks, wrecks Of houses, drowning cat
tie, masses Of rubbish, all went floating
past us. Ny boys waved their hands to
me, then pointed upward. | knew it
was farewell signal, and you, mothers,
cannot imagine my anguish. saw them
all perish, and yet-that mas nat nou-
Ue.
husgca my babe close to my heart,
and, when the waters rose to my feet, |
climbed into the low branches of the
tree, and so kept retiring from it, until
an all-powerful Hand stayed the waves
that they should come no farther. |
was saved, All my worldly possession
were swept away; all my earthly hopes
blighted, yet--MM ,caS nat houhe.
My baby was all that had on earth.
| lahored 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. lie ceased to care for his mother S
counsels; he would snccr at her entreat-
les aud asonized prayers. He left my
humble roof that he might be unrestrain-
ed in the pursuit of evil, and at last,
when heated by vino one night, he took
the life of fellow being, and ended his
own upon the scatiold My Heavenly
Father had filed my cup of sorrow be,
fore, but now it ran over Iiat acas
tronbie, ladies', such as hope His mercy
will spare you from ever experiencing.
There was no dry eye among her list
cncrs, and the warmest sympathy was
expressed for the bercaved mother, whose
sad history had taught them a useful
lesson New Brunswicker.