The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-04-26
WHAT is Trouble.

Wefe Que uuy HSSonDleu III lduy |
parlor, when the conversation chanc.
ed to turn on the subject Of earthly |
affection. Each had her story OIL
peculiar trial and bereavement TO re-
late, except one pale, sad-looking
woman, whose lusterless eye aud de-
jecting air showed that she was q
prey TO the deepest melancholy.
Suddenly arousing herself, she said
in n hollow voice. Not one Of you
know what trouble is.
'will you please, Mrs Gray said
the kind voice Of lady who we'll
knew her story, tell the ladies' what
you call trouble Z
Il will, if you desire IT, che rephs
ed, for I have seen it. My parents
possessed a competence, and my
girlhood was surrounded by all the
comforts OF life. / seldom knew an
ungratifed wish,and was always gay
and light-hearted married, ne
nineteen, one I loved more than all
the world besides. Our home was
retired. but the sun never shone on
a lovelier one or happier house--
hold Years rolled ON peacefully.
Five children sat around our table,
and little curly head still nestled
in my bosom. One night about sun.
down one of those black storms came
on which are so common to our
southern climate. For many hours
tho rain poured down necessarily.
Morning dawned. but still the ele.
ments ragged. The whole savannah
seemed aAoat. The little stream
near our dwelling became a raging
torrent. Before we were aware Of
it our house was surrounded with
water. managed with my babe to
reach q little elevated spot, on which
q few wide spreading trees were
standing whose dense foliage afford-
cd some protection, while my hus-
band and sons strove to save what
they could Of our property. At last
q fearful surge swept away my hus.
band, and he never rose again.
Ladies. no one ever loved husband
more, but that was not trouble.
Presently my sons saw their dad
ger and the struggle for life became
the only consideration. They were
as brave loving boys as ever bless
ed mothers heart, and / watched
their efforts to escape with such ag-
ony as only mothers can feel. They
were so far of 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.
'rhe sullen river ragged around
the huge trees dead branches, up-
turned trunks, wrecks of houses,
drowning. cattle, masses of rubbish,
all went ahoating past us. My
boys waved their hands to me, then
pointed upward. 1 knew it was q
farewell signal and you, mothers,
can imagine my anguish. I saw
them all perish, and yet-that was
not trouble.
hugged my babe close to my
heart, and when the water rose to
my feet | climbed into the low bran
ches of the tree, aud so kept retir.
ing before it, till an all.powerful
Hand stayed the waves, that they
could come no further. Twas saved.
All my worldly possessions were
swept away, NIL my earthly hopes
blighted-yet that was not trouble.
My baby was all l had left on
earth. l labored night aud day to
support him and myself, aud sought
to train him in the right way but
as he grow older evil companions
won him away from home. lie ceas.
ed TO care for his mothers cousnels /;
he would sneer at her entleatics and
agonizing prayers. He left my
humble roof that lie might be I'm
restrained in the pursuit of evil, and
at last, when heated by wine he
took the life of q fellow.being, and
ended his own upon the scaffold.
My heavenly Father had filed my
cup of sorrow before now it ran
over. This was trouble, ladies, such
rs I hopo His mercy will save you
from exer experiencing.
There waS not dry eye among
her listeners, and the warmest sym-
pathy was expressed for the be,
reaved mother, whose sad history
had taught them u useful lesson.
BaUinOredn.