The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-07-03
What is Trouble {?

"A company of Southern ladies were one day
assembled in lady's parlor, when the conver-
sation CHANGED to turn on the subject of earthly
af1iction. Each had her story of peculiar trial
and bereavement to relate, except one pale, sad
Faookirg woman, whose lusterless eye and de-
iected air showed she was prey to the deepest
melancholy. Suddenly arousing herself, she
said in hollow voice. mot one OF you
know what trouble is"
"Will you please, Mrs. Gray" said the kind l d
voice Of q lady who we'll knew her story, tell
the lalies what you call troubleW
81 will, if you desire it," she replied, "for l
have seen it. My parents possessed compe1,, E,
tence, and my girlhood was surrounded by all
the comforts of life. 1 seldom knew an un-
gratifed wish, and was always gay and light
hearted. I married at nineteen, one loved
more than all the world besides. Our home
was retired, but the sun never shone on love-
ier ore or a happier household. Years rolled
on peacefully. Five children sat around our
table, and little curly head still nestled in
my bosom. One night about sundown one OF
those black storms came on which are so COM
mon to our Southern climate. For many hours
the rain poured down incessantly. Morning
dawned, but still the elements ragged The
whole Savannah seemed ahoat. The little
streams near our dwelling became raging tor
rent. Before we were aware of it our house
was surrounded by water. managed with
my babe to reach little elevated spot, on
which 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
fearful surge swept away my husband, and ne
never rose again. Ladies, no one ever loved
husband more, but that was not trouble. !,
presently my sons saw their danger. and
the struggle for life became the only considera-
ton. They were as brave, loving boys as ever
blessed mothers heart, and watched their
efforts to escape with such agony as only moth. n.
ers can feel They were so far off could not
speak to them, but I could see them closing
nearer and nearer to each other as their little
island grew smaller and smaller.
'The sullen 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 upward. L
knew it was farewell signal, and you, moth,
ers, can imagine my anguish. L saw them all
perish, and yet-that was not trouble.
'I augged my babe close to my heart, and
when the water rose to my feet climbed into
the low branches of the:tree, and so kept retir,,
ing before it, till an all powerful Hand stayed
the waves, that they should come no further
1 was saved. All my worldly possessions were
swept away, all my earthly hopes blighted-
yet that was not trouble.
ssMy baby was all 1 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 Linn away from home. He ceased to care
for his mothers counsels; he would sneer at
her entreaties and agonizing prayers. He left
in the pursuit of evil and at last when heated
by vine one night he took the life of fellow
being, and ended his own upon the scaffold.
My heavenly Father had filled my cup of sor-
row before; now it ran over. This was trouble,
ladies, such as I hope His mercy will save you
from ever experiencing"
There was not dry eye among her listeners,
and the warmest sympathy was expressed for
the bereaved mother, whose sad history had
taughs them useful lesson.