Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-03
aThere,s Rock at the Bottom. >,

When my Willie was sixteen, he acclden-
tally dropped valuable watch into the well.
His father was absent from home; and without
consulting me, he resolved TO recover the treas
ure. Providing himself with long-handled
rake, he gave it in charge of his sister Jennie,
two years younger, and bidding her to lower it
when he called, he stepped into the bucket,
and holding fast by the rope, commenced his
descent. The bucket descended more rapidly
than Willie expected, and struck heavily
against the side of the well; the rope broke
and he was thrown into the water.
"Mother, shall be drownedw was his des-
perate cry, which Jennie re-echoed with
wall of anguish. But / knew the depth Of
the water, and shouted to him as calmly as |
could, "Stand upon your feet, Willie; the wa
ter isn't over four feet deep" "But | shall
sink in the mud" said the boy, still striving to
keep himself afoat by clinging desperately to
the slippery stones mo, Willie, there's rock
at the bottom, Let 90 the stones and stand
up"
The assurance of hard foundation, and the
impossibility of holding much longer to the
Shiny surface of the stone wall, gave him con-
fdence He felt for the bottom, placed his
feet firmly upon it, and to his great JOY found
the water scarcely reached his shoulders.
sent Jennie into the house for a new strong
rope, and fastening one end securely, lower
ed the other to him to be tied into the bucket,
and we drew him safely up. "Oh, mother"
said the dear boy when he was rescned, "those
were precious words to me. There's rock at
the bottom / shall never forget them"
Two years after, in commercial panic, my
husbands property was swept away, and we
were reduced to poverty At first bore
bravely up. did not prize wealth and lux
ury for my own sake, neither did covet it for
my children. chiefly mourned for my hus-
bands disappointment and his crushed hopes,
and strove by unhagging cheerfulneSS to chase
away the gloom which settled so heavily upon
him. / endeavored to assist him, not only by
the utmost economy in household expenses
but by devising plans for the future. Willie
and Jennie were old enough to earn their
support, and even to assist in the education oil
the younger children. / succeeded in putting
them in the way to do this. felt strong and
brave, and almost wondered at my husbands
dependency.
But new reverses came. Tie bank in
which Jennie had deposited her quarters sal
airy, which might possibly meet our necessi,
ties, suddenly failed, and her money was lost
i could bear this too; she would soon be able
to replace it. Next the school in which she
taught was disbanded, and Jennie had to take
much lower wages; but she still earned little
and | said cheerfully ave will not murmur
half loaf is better than no bread" Next
Willie's hand was disabled by an accident
and he lost his situation. My courage began
to give away; but rallying myself for one more
effort, | resolved to brave the reproach OF
friends and the worlds dread laugh, and seek
remunerative employment myself. 1t sorely
tried my womanly delicacy, yet it brought the
needed aid, and battled with my wounded
sensitiveneSS, and again screweCsAp my failing
courage. But the last blow came; sickness
suddenly laid me PROSTATE. Il shall give up
now; we must all sink together" was the Ian.
guage of my soul.
"Dear mother" said Willie, when he heard
my lamentation, ''do you remember what YOU
said TO me when | was at the bottom of the
well? | have often thought of it lately.
know we are in deep waters, but God ha.
promised they shall not overflow MS And il
his word without foundation? Let us plan
our feet upon his promises, and stand firmly
We cannot sink for there's rock at the bOfOn,.'
| heard, and took the lesson to my heart
saw that | had been cinging to the slippery
stones of human strength and self-dependence
and so, when the providence of God babe me
let 90 my hold, | was in despair. But tn,
Bank of Heaven had not failed; and thougl
/ stood in deep water it should not overwheln
me, neither should sink, for there's a rocl
under me-"