Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-12-17
NJ s C. T. l. l. A n Y.
The 0vereowing Cup.

The 0verfowing Cup.
A company Of southern ladies wero one
day assembled in a friend, parlor, when
the conversation ehAneed TO turn on earth
ly aflic,ion. Each had her story Of pecu-
liar trial and bereavement u relate. except
one pale .ai looking woman, whose lu.,re.
lc-. eye and dcjrctcd air showed that she
was prey to tho dCcPN., melancholy.
Suddenly arous.ng herself, she said in a
hollow voice, " Mt one Of you know what
trouble is."
"will you please, Mrs Gray said tho
kind voice Of lady who we'll knew her
story. &" tell The ladies' wha, you call ,rou-
bic"
Twill. Il you dc.Ire," she replied 4" for
have seen It. My parents possessed a
competence, and my eirlhood was 'urroun-
drd ~ nll tho comforts OF life. seldom
knew an unsratiiei wish. aud wa. always
gay and light hearted. lmarricd at nine.
teen one loved more than all the world be-
sides. Our home was retired but the sun.
hgh, never fell on lovlicr one. orr hap
pigr household Years rolled on peacefully.
Five children at around our table. and
little curly head ,,ill nestled In my bosom.
One night about sun DOWN ono Of those
fierce black storms came on, which arc -
common in our Siuihsrn climate. For
many hour. the rain poured down ince'.
sanity. Morning diwncd, still the sle-
msnts raycd. The whole Savannah seemed
aaoat. The little stream near our dwelling
became a raging torrcut. Before We we're
aware OF II our housi va, surrounded by
water managed, with my babe % reach
u little elevated spot, on which some wldc
spreading trees were standing, whose dense
foliage afforded some protection, while my
husband and sons s,roye TO save what theY
could Of our property. At la, fearful
surge swept away my husband. aud be
never rose again. Ladies-ao one loved a
husband morc-but that lsdS not irosbs.
Presently my snns saw their danger,
and the struggle for lie became the only
consideration. They were brave, lo'In:
boy. as ever blessed q mothers heart. and |
watched their efforts to escape with such
agony as only mothers can feel They were
80 FAR Of could no, speak TO them, hut ]
could sec them closing nearer and nearer to
each other. ~ their little island grew small
Ter and smaller
The sullen river ragged around the huge
,rec-; dead branches. upturned trunks.
wrecks OF houses. drowning cattle, masses
Of rubbish, all went floating past US. My
boys waved their hands to mo, then pointed
upward. knew it wa, farewell signal,
and YOU. mothers, cannot imagine my an
ruish. saw them all perish and ye' that
rrds not trouble.
huggcd my babe close to my heart, and
when the water rosa 10 my feet, | climbed
into the low branches Of the tree and ~ kept
retiring before it, until an All powerful
hand stayed the waves, that they should
come no farther. | was saved. All my
earthly possessions were swept away; all
my earthly hopes bl,sh,ed--yet that ra'
not trouble.
Ny baby was all | had EFT on earth. |
labored night aud day to support him and
myself, and sought to train him in the
right way /; bu, as he grew older, evil COM
p,nions won him away from me. lie ceas.
ed 70 care for his mothers counsels he
would sneer at her en,reaties and agonEing
prayers. lie left my humble roof that he
might be unrcs,rained in the pursui, OF evil;
and at last when heated By wine one night
he took the life ofa fellow being, and en-
ded his own upon the scaiIold. My heaven.
ly Father had filled my cup Of sorrow before
but 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 listeners
and the warlne.t sympathy was expressed
for the bereavei mother, whose sad history
has taught them usful lesson.