Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-11
Raleigh, y. @, N AIy11, 1868.
The OVERLOOKING Cup.


day assembled in a friends parlor, when the
conversation chanced to turn on earthly af-
Fiction. Each had her story or peculiar trial
and bereavement to relate, except one pale,
sad looking woman, whose lustreless eve and
detected air showed that she was prey to
the deepest melancholy. Suddenly arotsing
herself, she said in followed voice, Not
one of you know what trouble iS'
Will you please, Mrs Gray said the kind
voice of. "a lady who well knew her story,
tell the ladies what you call trouble
will, if you DESIRE she replied, for
have seep it. My parents possessed com.
petence. and my girlhocd was surrounded by
all the comforts of life. seldom knew an
ungratihed wish, and was always gay and
light hearted. married at nineteen one
loved more than all the world besides Our
home was retired, but the sunlight never fell
on q lovelier one, or on happier hous ehoid.
Years rolled on peacefully. Five children
sat around our table, and little curly head
still nestled in my bosom. One night about
sun-down one of those fierce black storms
came on, which are SO common in our South.
ern climate. For many hours the rain pour
ed down incessantly. Morning dawned still
the. elements rayed. The whole Savannah
seemed atoat. The little stream near our
dwelling became raging torrent Before
we were aware of it our house was surroun-
ded by water; | managed, with my babe to
reach little elevated spot, on which a few
wide spreading trees were standing whose
dense foliage afforded some protection, while
my husband and sons 'strove to save what
they could of our property. At last fear.
ful surge swept away my husband, and he
never rose again. Ladies-no one loved a
husband more-but that aoas not trouble
Presently my sons saw their danger, and
the struggle for life became the only consid--
GRAFTON. They were brave, loving bows as
ever blessed a mothers heart, and | watched
their efforts to escape with such agony as
only mothers can feel. They were so far off.
| could not speak. to them closing nearer and
nearer TO Aeacn ctncr, as Jnefr frstie lsiaf3u'
grew smaller and smaller.
- The sulien river ragged around the huge
trees; dead branches, upturned trunks,
wrecks of houses, drowning cattle, masses of
rubbish, all went floating past US. My boys
waved their hands to me, then pointed up
ward. knew it was a farewell signal, and,
you mothers, cannot imagine my anguish
l saw them all perish, and yet--that aoas not
trouble.
My baby was all 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 counsels he would sneer at
her entreaties and agonizlng prayers. He
LETT my humble roof that he might be unre-
strained in the pursuit of evil; and at last,
when heated by wine one night, he took the
life of fellow being, and ended his own up
on the scaffold. My Heavenly 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 evel
experiencing
There was no dry eye among her listeners
and the warmest sympathy was expressed
for the bereaved mother, whose sad histor.
has taught them useful lesson.