The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-06-02
A Mothers Sorrow.

a conrawy of ladies assembled in a |
parlor were one day talking about |
their different troubles. Each one had |
something to say about her own trials.
But there was one of the company, |
pale aud sad looking, who for awhile
said nothing. Suddenly rousing her. |
self at last, she said,-
"My Il lends, you don't any of you
know what trouble is"
"Will yon please, Mrs. Grey" said
the kind voice of one who knew her
story, "tell tho ladies what you call
troubleW
al will, if You desire it; for it may
truly be said of me, Il am the one who
hath seen affliction.'
"My parents were very well off, and
my girlhood was surrounded by all the
comforts of life. Every with of my
teart was gratifcd, and I was cheerful
and happy.
AT the age of nineteen | married
one whom | loved more than all The
worli besides. Our home was retir-
ed; but The sun never shone upon
lovelier spot, or happier household.
Years rolled OH peacefully. Five love-
. i-;iI---. -t.v ..s-'..'',s v''. sr.1tvy uuu u
little curly head still nestled in my bos-
om. One night. abOnt shutdown, one
Of those fierce, black storms came on
which are so common to Onr climate.
For MANY hours the rain poured down
necessarily. Morning dawned, but
still the elements ragged. The country
around US was overlooked. The little
stream near our dwelling became q
toaming torrent Before we were
aware of it, our house was surrounded
by wafer. | managed, with my babe,
! to reach a little elevated spot, where
the thick foliage of a few widespread
ing trees afforded some protection,
while my husband and sons strove to
save that they could of our property.
AT last fearful surge swept away my
husband, aud he never rose again.
Ladies', no one over loved husband
more; but that was not trouble.
"Presently, my sons saw their dan
ger, and the struggle for life becsme
the only consideration. They were as
brave, loving boys as ever blessed a
mothers heart; aud | watched their
efforts to escape with such agony as
Hf ri! ToRRRff e ean feel: They were . 50
closing nearer and nearer to each 9TH
er, as their little island grew emaller
and smaller.
"The swollen river ragged fearfully
around the huge branches, upturned
trunks, wrecks of houses, drowning
cattle, and masses ofrubbish, all went
floating past us. My boys waved their
hands to me, and then pointed up
wards. KNEW it was their farwell
signal; and you, mothers, can imagine
| 81, I
perish! Yet that was not trouble.
81 Rugged my baby close TO my
heart; and when the wafer rose to my
feet, l climbed into The low branches
of the tree, and so kept retiring before
it, Till the hand of God stayed the wa.
ters that they should rise no further.
was saved. All my worldly posses
sions we're swept away; all my earthly
hopes blighted. Yet that was not
trouble.
"My baby was all had left on earth.
| labored day and night to support him
the right way; but, as he grew older,
evil companions won him away from
me. He ceased to care for his mothers
counsels; he would sneer at her kind
entreates and agonizing prayers. lie
left my humble roof, that he might be
unrestrained in his evil ways. His
nights were spent at the public house
and music hall. with drinking and
wicked companions. And. at last, one
night, when heated by wine, he took
the life of fellow creature. He ended
his days upon the gallows! God had
filled my cup of sorrow before; now it
ran over. That was trouble, my
friends, such as hope the Lord in
mercy may spare you from ever know
ing. Use all your influence to close
those curses of our land, the drinking
saloons, for while their doors stand
open, inviting your sons to enter, the
same terrible fate threatens them
which overto ok my boy, and the light
of your life may 60 out in the thick
darkness which enshi ouds me."-[Se-
| lected.