The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-04-03
Earthly Affections.

scmblcd in lady's parlor, when the con-
rcrsation Glanced TO turn on the subject
of earthly Affections. Each had her
story of peculiar trial and bereavement
to relate, except one pale, sad-looking
woman, whose lustcrlcss eye and detected
air showed she was prey to the dccpest
melancholy. Suddenly arousing herself,
she sail i'll hollow voice: -.
"Will you please, Mrs. Gray" said the
| kind voice of Indy who we'll knew her
story, "tell the ladies what you call trou-
blci"
81 will, If you desire it," she replied,
"for have seen it. My parents possessed
competence, md my girlhood was sur
rounded by all the comforts of life.
seldom knew an ungratiticd wish, and was
always gay and light-hcartc1; married
at nineteen one loved more than all the
world besides; our homo was retired, but
the sun never shone on lovclicr one or
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 tIO:c black storms came on which
arc so common TO our Southern climate.
For many hours the rain poured down in
ccssantly. Morning lawncd but still the
elements ragged. The whole Savannah
seemed ailoat. The little stream near our
dwelling became n raging torrent Be-
fore we were aware Of il our house was
surrounded by water. I managed with
my babe to reach little elevated spot,
on which a few widespread trees we're
standing, whose dense foliage afforded
some protection, while my husband and
two SONS strovc to save what they could
of our property. at last fearful surge
swept away my husband, and hc never
rose again. Ladies', no one ever loved
husband more; but TINT was not trouble.
"Prcscntly my sons saw their danger,
and the struggle for life became the only
consideration. They were rs brave, low
ing boys rs ever blessed mothers heart,
and watched their efforts to escape with
such agony as only mother can feel.
They were so fur off could not speak TO
them, but | could SEQ them closing nearer
md nearer To each other, as their little
island grew smaller and smaller.
"Thc sullcn river ragged around the huge
trees; dead branches, unturncd trunks,
wrecks Of houses, drowning cattle, masses
of rubbish, NIL went floating past lus. Ny
boys waved their hands to me, then point
cd upward. I knew it was farewell sig
nal, and you, mothers, can imagine my
anguish. saw them all perish and dis
appear, and yct-tbnt was not trouble.
III huggcd my babe close to my heart,
and when The water rose to my feet
climbed into the low branches of tho trees
and so kept retiring bofore il, till an all
powerful hand stayed tho waves, that they
should como no further. | was saved.
All my worldly possessions were swept
awny, all my earthly i:Opcs blightcd
that was not trouble.
"My babe was nll Ind left ON earth.
] laborcd night and day TO support him
md myself, and sought to train him in
the right way; but as lIc grew older evil
companions won him away from his home.
He ceased to care for his mothers coun-
| scls; llc would snCCr mt her cntrcatics and
| agonizing prayers. lie left my humble
roof That he might be unrcstraincd in the
pursuit Of evil, und nj last, when heated
by wine, ono night lr took the life Of n
fellow being, and ended his own upon the
scaiIold. My Heavenly Fntlicr had filed
my cup Of sorrow before; now IL run
over This was trouble, ladies, such as
hope Ills Mercy will save you from cxpc.
ricncing."
There was not dry eye among her lis.
tcucrs, and the warmcst sympathy was
expressed for the bcrcaycd mother, whose
sad history had taught them useful les.
son.