Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-08-17
The Strange Providence,

"A strange, sad providence J! slghet
one Of a company Of mourners, assem-
bltd to pay the last tribute of respec
and affection to departed sister, whC
had been cut down in the very nowel
of v omanhood, and at time when {
thousand Of the tende-est ties were
bindng her 10 earth. What strange
sad, mysterious providence!
Strange and sad enough was th'
sober response. 'Ah, me the ways o
Him who sitteth among clouds ant
shadows are dark aud impenetrable.-
She was a thoughtful, loving mother
None could have been more so,
answered the first speaker.
And her little ones need her car'
now, perhaps more than they will eve
need 1t again. Tender, innocent lambs
the chilling wind will blow TOO roughly
upon them
'Ah, me it is strange very strange!
added the other. Il cannot comprehend
il. Why should God remove true
hearted mo o.her from the guardianship
OF her children p
Often and often l have asked my
self that question; but there has come
no satisfactory answer
But while these friends Of tue de-
parted one are vainly striving TO pene-
trate this mysterious providence. let us
glance back a little and see if some
incidents in her life will not throw ligh'
upon the subject.
1t was an evening in early spring.
The day was warm for the season; Sc
warm that the lingering fire Of the de-
parted winter oppressed the atmosphere
and the windows aud doors were ln
conse q uence thrown open to admit the
fresher air without.
1t was early IN the evening, anC
Mrs. Carlton, bride Of few weeks
bad seated herselfa at an open window,
with her neck and part of her bosom
barred TO the Inpassing air, that came in
cool, and loaded with vapor.
why, Clara!' exclaimed Mr.. Carlton
on entering the room and seeing the
exposed position of his thoughtleas
young wife. How lmprudent you are!'
And be came forward quickly to close
the window.
'Oh, don't shut it down-don't +! in
terposed Clara. The air is so refresh
ing.'
There was a slight huskiness in be-
voice as she spoke, which was perceiv'
ed by her husband, who, without hest
tatipg. closed the windows, remarkinG
as he did 50:
tits wrong to expose yourself in thl'
way, Clara; you might take cold tina
would cost you your life.'
Mr.. Carlton spoke seriously, aud h'
felt rs he spoke.
'Oh, dear, no. lightly returned th'
vonno hrlde. Pm not so tender o.
that. Fresh air will never kill me-
No, not dry, fresh air blowing upor
your hands and face. But this evenin!
air is loaded with vapor. aud you hay
thrown your handkerchief from Jou
neck. Already can perceive that yo'
have taken cold
Rut Mrs. Carlton made light OF heI
husbands concern, and soon after wen
and stood in the door without protect
ing her neck and bosom with a shawl
or handkerchief. The consequence
wele such as might have been natural
expected. On the next morning sh'
had cough, with slight febrils symp
toms, and a pain and soreness IN he
breast. Her form being slight, he
chest somewhat narrow, and her con
stitution by no means robust, the effect
of the cold were more painfully marke
tJan is ordinarily the case in such fora
Of indisposition. Several weeks passe'
before she recovered from It's effects; or
We might say. from its apparent effect
the seeds of the disease, which hat
bseu sorn 10 her system renamed.
A few weeks later, at large part
gyen to Mrs. Carlton by a friend, as
bridal party, she danced i'll hearly tw
o'clock. Notwithstanding a sliHht In
DISPOSITION which had manifested itse
early on the previous day. Moreover
oh, ate several times of rich cake an'
other indiges:iblc things, drank wln'
and 10 adl the last spound to the camel
bach took freely ofoysters and coife
| at tie close OF the party.
4 On the morning following, in attemp
| ipo ~ rise about ten O'Clock, she felt
sbarp pain through her lsa temple.
| Soon follow ed an attack OF dimsishted
meas, accompanied BY a sense OF num-