Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-11-14
" Troublesome Comforts"

rRuE STORY.
GAS was saying it will be a grand af-
fair, for Clara Grants people never do things
by halves. Father has promised me new
silk dress and lace overskirt for the oc-
casion. One can't attend such reception
every day"
The speaker paused and glanced suspi.
ciousy at the baby fingers toying with the
frinres of her new walking suit, then CON
! tinued -
"You were invited ?"
Yes but we shall not attend"
"No, suppose not We never see you
anywhere now. Mother said this morning,
It's a shame for Laura Adams to be 80 tied
up with children and think so myself.
Why, you've grown pale, and thin. and
round-shoudered, and look ten years older
than you really are. How can you be con-
tented to live as you do ?"
At least I'm never troubled with the
questions that used TO perplex me. can
remember hours spent in wondering why
was made, and of what use | was in the
world. The problem of life is too practical
a one with me now to be considered in the
abstract"
"Mamma Mammal" and the door knob
turned noisily.
1
Good afternoon" and the caller, fearing the
contact of soiled fingers and dirty mouths
somewhat hurriedly took her leave.
Laura Adams had dealt to each of her
hungry little ones a piece of bread and
butter, thinking meanwhile how many little
! trocks and pairs of shoes the cost of silk
dress and lace overskirt would purchase
when the door opened to admit her next
| door neighbor, Mrs. Lee.
al knew you'd be alone, so | thought I'd
1rop in for a minute. You don't get out to
OUT prayer-meetings much but maybe
you'd like to hear how we prosper. Our
minister said last night that every one ought
to feel deep interest in the work, and Mow
it, too"
That's good, I'm sure. It's Just what Z
believe; but you know | very rarely leave
my children for any purpose, and as much
as would like to attend the meetings, |
cannot now. However, don't mean to lose
all interest in church work, and hope
ometime to be more actively engaged in it.
81 s'pose you are looking forward TO the
time when your children will be large
enough to take care of themselves. You
think you're going to take some comfort
then; but | tell you what It's, children are
Troublesome comforts any way, and the older
up one, and speak from experience
Mrs Adams smiled to herself as she
ihought of the self-wiled youth who had
iever known restraint or correction
Still, Mrs. Lee, have great confidence
in the words of the wise man Train up
;hild in the way he should go and when he
is old he will not depart from it,
Mamma, come and see to Chester He's
pulling the baby's hairl'
"There, that's just the way It's Mamma,
mamma from morning till night | war
rant you get sick of the name sometimes.
Well, it's great responsibility to bring up
family" and the neighbor went out as
suddenly as she had come in.
Deeply did Mrs. Adams feel her RESPONSE
bility well did she realize the care and work
her children needed but the mother-love in
her heart had hitherto overborne all ripen-
iug thoughts. 1t is true there had been
times of perplexity and even discourage
nent but a few moments of reflection and
prayer, an encouraging word, or some loving
odby vile, had always dispelled the cloud
That day everything had seemed to go
wrong, and Mrs. Adams, feeling tired and
nervous, was more affected by the words of
her callers than she cared to acknowledge.
As she gave the children their suppers and
thought of her lot as hard one. Visions
of weary, hard-working days, and anxious,
yakeful nights rose before her. Then she
thought of the ease and freedom she had
known only few years before and glancing
1t the mirror, heaved a sigh as she noticed
The deepening lines on her face BY the
lime the last baby was asleep she was, sim
terely plying herself and a few minutes
ater, when her husband came home, he
| found her in tears. Rather ashamed, but
still desiring his sympathy, she told him the
cause of her grief. At first he aughingly
declared she was indeed afflicted but as she
proceeded, his face grew grave, and when
she closed with, " haven't grain of pa
thence or wisdom left, and ! almost wish our
children had never been sent to us" then he
took her hands in his, saying soberly;
Laura, you don't know what you say"
al feel just like going away off from every
sight and sound. Even the baby's cry frets
me beyond endurance. What wouldn't
give for a lodge in some vast wilderness ="
Listen to me, my dear. You must think
of things as they are, not of what might
have been. God has given US these children
Who will care for them if their parents re-
fuse to do so ? know you have many tri-
ais and annoyances, but think of the posi-
bilities of goodness and greatness in every
human life. Think of the privilege of
training immortal souls for eternity. For
what nober mission could YOU ask p
81 know what YOU say is true but
can't seem to feel it. | can't see beyond my
present troubles"
"What's the matter? guess you need
goodnights rest. Things will look brighter
in the morning"
Laura was very tired, and almost as soon
as her head touched the pillow she was asleep.
She awoke, as the clock struck eleven,
from dreaming of huge dog that was bark
ing at little Allie, to hear from the crib at
her side that peculiar, ringing cough she had
learned to dread when a child.
Arising, she dressed, and called her hus.
band as quickly AS possible hearing at in.
teryals that terrible cougb. When the doe.
ter arrived he pronounced il a severe case of
membranous Group, and though every rem.
edy he could apply was tried, but little re.
lief could be given. All the remainder of
the night and through the next day were
heard that gaspinp breath and ringing cough.
Who shall describe the feelings of the ag.
onized mother as the ewes of her nrecions
child turned again and again SO pleadinply
toward her. 80 NV darling. ii mamma
could only help you =" she proaned. Then
as she bent over the little sufferers coueh
Allie, seeing the tears, would brush her face
with her tiny hand and whisper, "Pool