Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1875-02-10
TEMPERANCE DEPARTMENT
what IN Trouble,

A company of Southern ladies was one
day assembled in lady's parlor, when
the conversation CHANGED to turn on the
subject Of earthly Affections. Each had
her story of peculiar trial and bereave-
ment to relate, except one pale, sad look
ing woman, whose lustreless eye and de-
iected air showed that she was prey to
the deepest melancholy. Suddenly arous-
ing herself, she said in hollow voice
mot one Of you knows what trouble
Is -
"Will you please, Mrs. Grey" said the
kind voice OF Lady who well knew her
story, tell the ladies what you call
trouble z"
81 will, if you desire it." she replied.
for have seen it. My parents possessed
a competence, and my girlhood was sur
rounded by all tue comforts of life. j sel-
dom knew an unqualified wish, and was
always gay and light-liearted. l married
at nineteen, one loved more than all the
world beside. Our home was retired, but
the sunlight never fell on lovelier 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 shutdown,
one of those black storms came on, which
are so common to our Southern climate
For many hours the rain poured down
necessarily. Morning dawned, bnt still
the elements ragged. The whole Savan-
nah seemed afloat. The little stream near
our dwelling became raging element.
Before we were aware of it, our house
was surrounded by water. l managed
with my babe to reach a little elevated
spot, on which a few widc-spreading trees
were standing, whose dense foliage af-
! forded some protection, while my hus-
band and sons strove TO save what they
could OF our property. At last "A fearful
surge swept away my husband, and he
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
consideration. They were as brave, low
| ing boys as ever blessed q 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, but could see them closing nearer
and nearer to each other as their little
island grew smaller and smaller.
1.-THE sullen river ragged around the
huge trees; dead branches, upturned
trunks, wrecks of houses, drowning cat
tie, masses of rubbish, all went floating
past us. My boys waved their hands TO
me, then pointed upward. | knew it was
a farewell signal, and you, mothers, can
imagine my anguish, | saw them all
perish, and yet-that was not trouble.
81 Rugged my babe close to my heart,
and when the water rose TO my feet,
climbed into the low branches of the tree,
aud so kept retiring before it, till an ALI
powerful hand stayed the waves, that
they should come no further. | was saved.
All my worldly possessions swept away
all my earthly hopes blighted-yet tina;
was not trouble.
"My baby was all had left OH 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 home
He ceased to care for his mothers coun
! sells he would sneer at her entreaties and
agonizing prayers. He left my humble
, roof that he might be unrestrained in the
pursuit Of evil, and, at last, when heated
by wine one night he took the life OF q
fellow-being. and ended his own upon thC
scaflold. My heavenly Father had filled
my cup Of sorrow before; now 1t rar
over. This was trouble, ladies, such as
hope His mercy will save You from eyei
experiencing"
There was not dry eye among her lis
: teners, and the warmest sympathy wa
expressed for the bereaved mother, who's
: sad history had taught them usefu
lesson.
ER rrN Best English sewinl