The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-01-01
What is Trouble2

! "'1N h4ciSN ." 3" '"NJ P')
conversation turned upon the subject Of
earthly afIliction. Each had her story
of peculiar trie1 and bereavement to re-
late, except one pale, sad-looking wo-
man, whose lustreless eye and detected
air, showed she was prey to the deep
est melancholy. Suddenly arousing
herself, she said in a hollow voice
Not one of you know what trouble is. ,
'Will you please, Mrs. Grey said the
kind voice of lady. who we'll knew her
story, tell the ladies' what you call
tronb!e? 2
4 will if you desire it, she replied,
'for 1 have seen it. My parents pos.
sessed competence, and my girlhood
was surrounded by all the comforts OF
life. | seldom knew an ungratified wish,
and was always gay and lighthearted.
I married at nineteen one loved more
than nil the world beside. Our home
was retired, but the sun never shone on
a lovelier one or happier household.
Years rolled on peacefully. Five chill
dren sat around our table, and little
curly head still nestled in my bosom.
One night about suOdown one of
those black storms came on which are
so common to our Southern climate.
For many hours the rain poured down
incessantly. Morning dawned, but still
the element ragged. The whole Savau-
nah seemed afoat. The little stream
near our dwelling became raging tor
rent. Before We were aware Of 1t our
house was surrounded by water. |
managed vith my babe to reach a little
elevated spot, on which sew wide
Spreading trees were standing, whose
dense foliage afforded some protection,
while my husband ard sons ftrove to save
what they could Of cur property. AT
last a 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 danger,
and then the struggle for life became
the only consideration. They were as
brave, loving boys as ever blessed a mo-
theirs heart, and | watched their CT
forts to escape with such agony as only
mothers can feel. They were so far of
I could not speak to them, but | could
see them closing nearer and nearer to
each other, as their little island grew
smaller and smaller.
The sullen river ragged around the
huge trees; dead branches, u2turne0
trunks, wrecks Of houses. drowning cat
tie, masses of rubbish, all went floating
past us. Ny boys waved their hands
to ne, and then pointed upward. l
knew 1t was Il farewell signal, and you
mothers can imagine my anguish. l
saw them all perish and disappear, and
yct-that was not trouble.
Il huggcd my babe close to my heart,
and when the water rose to my feet, l
climbed into the low branches OF the
tree, and so kept retiring before it till
on all-powerfui Hand stayed the waves
that they should come no further. l
was saved All my earthly possessions
we're swept away, and all my earthly
hopes were blishIed-yat that was not
trouble.
My babe was all had left on earth.
labored night and day to support him
aad myself, and sought to train him in
the right way; hut as he grew older,
evil companions won him away from
home. He ceased to care for bis mo
theirs couusels; he would snecr at her
eulreaties and agonizing prayers. He
left nv humble roof that he might be
unrestralucd in the pursuit Of evil; and
at last. one night when heated BY wine,
he took the life of fellow being, and
ended his own upon the scafio!d. My
Heavenly father had filled my cup Of
sorrow before now it ran over. This
was trouble, ladies, such as | hspe his
mercy will save you from experiencing.
There was not dry eye among heE
listeners, and the warmcst sympathy
was expressed for the bercaved mother
whose sad history had taught them such