Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-04-12
Earthly Affections.

n company OF southern laQ1oS were as
sembled in a lady's parlor, when the con-
versation CHANGED to turn on the sub
ject Of earthly affections. Each had her
story of trial and bereavement to relate,
except one pale, sad-looking woman,
whose lusterless eye and detected air
showed she was prey to the deepest
melancholy. Suddenly arousing her
self, she said, in hollow voice:
mot one of you know what trouble
is"
CIVIL you please, Mrs. Gray" said
the kind voice of lady who well knew
her story, "tell the ladies what you call
trouble?"
"I will if you desire it," she replied,
''for have seen 1t. My parents pos
sessed a competence, and my girlhood
was surrounded by all the comforts of
life. 1 seldom knew an unqualified
wish, and was always gay and light
hearted; / married at nineteen one L
our home was retired, but the sun never
shone on a lovelier one or a happier
household. Years rolled on peacefully;
five children sat around our table, and
little curly head still nestled in my
bosom. One night about shutdown one
of those black storms came on which are
so common to our southern climate. For
many hours the rain poured down inces-
sanity. Morning dawned, but still the
elements ragged. The whole Savannah
seemed ahoat. The little stream near
our dwelling became raging torrent.
Before we were aware of it our dwelling
was surrounded by water. I managed,
with my babe, to reach little elevated
spot, on which few widespread trees
were standing, whose dense foliage af-
forded some protection, while my hus-
band and two sons strove to save what
property they could. At last fearful
surge swept away my husband, and he
never rose again. Ladies, no one ever
loved a husband more; but that was not
trouble
Presently my sons saw their danger,
and the struggle for life became the only
consideration. They were as brave. low
ing boys as ever blessed mothers heart,
and watched their efforts to escape with
They were SO far off [ 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, unturned
trunks, wrecks of houses, drowning cat
tie, masses of rubbish, all went floating
past us. My boys waved their hands to
me, then pointed upward. knew it
was farewell signal, and you, mothers.
can imagine my anguish. / saw them
all perish and disappear, and yet-that
was not trouble.
ct Rugged my babe close to my
heart, and when the water rose to my feet
I climbed into the low branches of the
trees and SO kept retiring before it, till
an all powerful hand stayed the waves,
that they should come no further. [
was saved. All my worldly possessions
were swept away, all my earthly hopes
blighted-yet that was no trouble.
"My babe was all [ had left on earth.
/ labored night and day to support him
and myself, and sought to train him in
the right way; but as he grew older evil
companions won him away from his
home. He ceased to care for his
mothers counsels; he would sheer at her
entreaties and agonizing prayers. He
left my humble roof that he might be
unrestrained in the pursuit of evil, and
at last, when heated by wine, one night
he took the life of fellow being, and
ended his life upon the scafold. My
Heavenly Father had filed my cup Of
sorrow before; now it run over This
was trouble, ladies, such as hope His
Mercy will save you from experiencing
There was not dry eye among her
listeners, and the warmest sympathy
was expressed for the bereaved mother,
whose sad history had taught them a
useful lesson.