The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-12-23
NUMBER II.
a mcf'EsER,s STORY.

y company of ladies were assembled in
parlor one day ,lking about their 6iGeg-
cut troubles, Each one had something to
say about her own trial. Bot there WAS
one of the company, pale and sad looking,
who for while said noihin5
Suddenly rousing herself at last, she
said
my friends, you don't any of YOU
know what trouble is.'
'WiIl-yoo please Mrs. Gray said tue
kind voice of one who knew her story,
''teli the ladies what you call trouble"
Il will if you desire it, for, in the
words of the p. ophet, 4 am the one who
hath seen affliciion'
My parents were we'll off, and my
siFlhood was surrounded by all the com
iorts Of life. Every wish of my heart
was grEtided, and l Was cheerful and
happy.
AZ the age of n,net, en married ona
whom loved more than a q the world
besides. Oar home was retired bat the
sun never shone upon a lovelier spot, or a
! happier household. Years rolled on peace
tdiiy Five lovely children sat around
oar table, aGd little curly bead still nes-
tied IN my bosom Oae night, about
suntOwn, a fierce black storm came 10.
For many hours the ram poured down iu-
cessanJly. Morning dawned, bot. still The
clements rRged. The country round was
overilowed. The little stream near onr
dwelling became foaming torrent. Be
fore We were aware of 1t, our house was
/ surrounded by water. | managed with
my babe. To reach little elevated spor,
where tie thick foliage of few WIDE
spreading trees afforded some protection,
while nay husband and sons struye to save
What they ctn.d Of our property. A last
q fearful sarge swept away my husband,
and be never rose again. Ladies', 10 one
ever loved husband more but that was
not trouble
Presently my sons saw their danger,
and the struggle for life became the only
consideration. They were as brave, low
| ing boys ss ever blessed a naolher's heart,
and watched their effJrs 10 escape with
such agony as only a mother can feel.
| They were 50 far of lhat ! could not speak
10 them but l could csc them closing
nearer and nearer 10 each other, as theic
| little island grew smaller aud smaller.
The swollen Tieer ragged fcarfuIly
! around The huge trees. Dead branches,
uptarncd trunks. wrecks ofhugses, drowG-
| ing cattle aud masses of rubbish all went
| floating past US. My boys waived their
hands 10 n1e, and then pointed upward
! knew il was their farewell signal, and
| you mothers can imagine my anguish. l
saw them peFish-ali perish! Yet that
Was not ironbe.
~ hugged my baby close to my hear.
and when the water rose 10 my feet, |
climbed into the branches Of the tree, and
50 kept retiring before it, ill the hand of
God stayed the waters that they should
rise TO further. l was saved All my
worldly possessions were swept away, all
my earthly hopes were blighled. Yet
that was not the trouble.
'kly baby was all that WAS left on
| earth lahored day and night 10 support
him and myself, and sought TO train him
in the right way Int as lie grew older
evil companions won him away from me.
lie ceased TO care for his mothers coun~
sells; he would sneer at her Kind entreat-
les and agonizing prayers. lie became
ford of drinking. He LETT my humble
roof, that he n ,sht be unrestraineI in his
evil ways and 1t last, one night, when
heated by wine, he took the life ot fell
low creature. He ended his days upon
the sSuows; God had filed nay cup Of
soFroW before; now il ran over That
was trouble, my friends, such as hops
the Lord in mercy may spare you from
! ever knowing"
Boys. girla, can you bear TO think that
you might bring such o row on your dear
father or mothers If you would not, be
on your guard against the giant Iatemper~
Gnce. Betsw wine and intoxicating liquors
alone. Never touch them.