Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-06
miscellaneous.
The Story OF . Life.

If there is a panacea for sorrow or
trouble of any kind, it is offenest found in
the cultivation of undergraduates. A
prevalent habit with the majority of hu
man kind i. to nurse their griefs and in
dulge in the morbid luxury of contemplate
ing them until despair settles in the heart
and gloom on every feature. To live con
stantly in the presence of ones illness,
not only makes it doubly hard TO get well.
but in not a few instances puts recovery
| ont OF the question. and dooms many a
man or woman to the insane asylum or an
untimely death.
Any employment or diversion, there
fore, which will aid in this battle against
an absorbing self contemplation. must
certainly be wholesome for body and
mind. besides furnishing an incentive to
others to 90 and do likewise.
A case in point occurs to my memory.
which may not be uninteresiing to the
readers Of the Laws In my girlhood, the
name Of Aunt Caroline was always spoken
with tenderest love and sympathy by every
member of our family, and although
had never seen her. | saw day by day
continually repeated proofs of her affec
ton for u.s. As grew older and still did
not see her. | questioned my mother con
corning her. and she told me her history.
Aunt Caroline, it seems, was beautiful, ac
complished, and a favOrite of large cir
Gle of friends in her youth. Life spread
on. before her, fair and bewitching az to
MANY girls. Betrothed to the man OF her
choice she had every reason to anticipate
4 life OF love and happiness. when sudden
~ terrible eruption appeared upon her
face, SO transforming her that she became
to repulsive to look upon. Every remedy
known to medical skill was tried to rid
her OF this disease, but without avail, and
gradually the conviction forced itself upon
her mind that she must wear her frightful
mask. Such pallatives were used, how
ever. that after time only the scars re-
manned. but grace and beauty were gone
forever. Bowed to the earth by the over
whelming weight of her sorrow, every
hope dspelled, and faith and courage we'll
nigh gone, life seemed ruined. Asthe con-
seriousness gradually came 10 her tina, she
must still live perhaps for many years,
she determined to rise above her misery
forget self, and devote her energies to
comforting and serving others. Bravely
struggling, year after year with her sor-
row, and looking to heaven alone for help,
sue Wdthtu tuiouSu lItt VIM tnc SpIlil VI
selfabnegaticn tor her constant guide. be.
loved 10y all who knew her.
Outdoor exercise had always been a
source of pleasure to her and in the exclu-
sion consequent TO her affection, she found
enjoyment at first in watching her father
in his gardening until she came to have
such an interest in the work as to feel that
it was especially adapted to her. She set
herself To work. thereupon, to gain all the
information gossible on the subjects o.
horticulture and Horticulture, until from
almost imperceptible beginnings she be-
came noted in all the country round Tor
the wonderful products of her skill. No
where in the State could be found such
fruit or flowers as came from her gardens.
The poor of her neighborhood had reason
to bless her name. and no sick room was
without the manifestation of her loving
thoughtfulness. During all this time she
secluded herself from society, even that
OF her family; but whenever she was seen
she was bright, cheerful. and apparently
forgetful of self, and no word Of i'm
patience or repining escaped her lips.
The care of her sisters two orphan
children, whom she brought up into noble
manhood and womanhood. was her chief
happiness, and satisfied the craving
affection of her heart. She accumulated
n large fortune and at her death left her
friends, who had received so much ut her
hands. with most substantial benefits.
Few who read this sketch will find
their own circumstances more trying than
those OF this suffering woman; yet in il
we see the wonderful power of the human
will to lift itself out of the slough OF
despond on to the heights. out of darkness
into the sunlight of Gods peace. out OF
the contemplation of personal sorrow into
that iorgetiulnsss of self which brings us
into blessed communion with the source
of all true happiness.-Lawso Of Life.