The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-06-19
What Is Trouble q!

company of Southern ladies were assem-
bled in the lady's parlor, when the Converse
tion turned on the subject of earthly afhiction.
Each had her story of peculiar trial and be-
reavement to relate, except one pale, sad-look-
ing woman whose lustreless eye and detected
air showed that she was prey to the deepest
melancholy. Suddenly arousing herself she
said in hollow voice:
"Not one of you know what trouble really s."
"Will you please, Mrs. Gray" said the kind
voice of lady who knew her story, "tell the
ladies what you call trouble?"
az will if you desire it," she replied, I" for l
have seen it. My parents possessed a compe-
tence, and my giirihood was surrounded with
all the comforts of life. l seldom knew an un-
grati6ed wish, and was always gay and light
hearted. | married at nineteen one | loved
more than all the world beside. Our home
was retired, but the sun never shown on low
lier one, or happier household. Years rolled
on peacefully.
Give children sat around our table, and d
little curly head still nestled on my bosom
One night about sundown, one of those black
storms came on, which are SO common to our
Southern climate. For many hours the rain
fell ncessantly. Morning dawned, but still
the elements ragged. The whole Savannah
seemed ahoat. The little stream near our dwell
ling became raging torrent. Before we were
aware of itour house was surrounded by water.
l managed with my babe to reach a little ee-
waited spot, on which d few wide spreading
trees were standing, whose dense foliage at-
forded some protection, while my husband nd
sons strove to save all they could of our pro-
perty. At last fearful surge swept away my
husband, and he never rose again. Ladies no
one ever loved husband more, but tnat was
not trouble.
presently my sons saw their danger, and
the struggle for life became their only conside-
ration. They were as brave, loving boys as
ever blessed mothers heart, and | watched
their efforts to escape with such agony as only a
mother can feel. They were so far of that could
not speak to them, but l could see them closing
nearer and nearer to each other, as their island
grew smaller and smaller.
"The sullen river ragged round the huge
trees dead branches, upturned trunks, wrecks
of houses, drowning cattle, masses OF rubbish,
all went floating pastu My boys waved their
hands to me, then pointed upward. knew 1T
was farewell signal, and you mothers can
imagine my anguish. / saw them all perish
and disappear, and yet-that was not trouble.
al bugged 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 retr-
ing before it, Till all powerful hand stayed
the waves that they should come no farther
| was saved. All my worldly possessions were
swept away, all my earthly hopes blighted-
yet that was not trouble.
"My baby was all | had left on earth.
labored night and day to support him and my
self, and sought so train him in the right way !;
but as he grew older, evil companions won him
away from home. He ceased to care for his
mothers counsels, he would sneer at her en-
treaties and agonizing prayers. He left my
humble roof that he might ne nnrAstraiped in
the pursuit OF evil; and aC last, When ncated
by wine, one night he took the life of fellow
being, and ended his own upon the scaffold.-
My Heavenly Father had filled my cub of sor-
row before; now it ran over. This was trouble,
ladies, such as 1 hope His mercy will save you
from experiencing"
There was not a dry eye among her listeners,
and the warmest sympathy was expressed for
the bereaved mother whose sad history had
taught them useful lesson.