Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-02-18

Most persons paSs through some
scenes in life SO painful in all their
detail, that, were it possible, they
would blot them from the book of
memory. A proper sense of divine
Providence ought to teach us that
this would not be either for our ulti-
mate good, or for the glory of God,
and therefore it cannot be the die
tate Of sound wisdom, or elevated
piety. Many a christian, even with
a broken heart and faltering voice,
has been able to say, lit is good for
me that | have been afflicted" 1
think, too, the experience of pious
people will prove, that it is not only
good to remember our personal af-
tiictiOns, but to have a bottle of tears
for others. Let me then fill up this
sheet in relating one of the most
heart-rending scenes / have been
called upon to witness.
The Bath tragedy" which oc-
Cured in 1889, will be remembered
by many abroad, while it cannot be
forgotten by the present generation
where it took place.
Geo. Mayse and family were at
that time residing a few miles west
Of the Warm Springs, in retired
valley, near the Warm Springs
church. The family consisted of Mr..
and Mrs. Mayse, two little daughters,
one perhaps six, and the other eight
years of age, and an infant. The
two little girls were sent from home
to school about half a mile from
their fathers home. Their path lay
for the most of the way through one
Of Mr.. Mayse's fields, partly cleared,
and partly grown up with under
brush. Early on an August morn
ing, while the dewdrops were shin
ing, and the birds yet carrolliDg
thcir morning songs, these charming
little girls were seen tripping along
the way in all the glee peculiar to
their age. They played that day
with their schoolmates in all the In
nocence of childhood. Evening
came and they started for home.
Who, that has ever gone to a coun-
try school, can forget the school-path
and with what light steps and flushed
cheeks the little children run home
To embrace their mother? And what
mother is there who does not look
out when the lengthening shadows
of evening are falling around. t. see
if the children are coming? 2" so
Il was with Mrs. Mayse. The sun
had set and she had been for some
time wondering what detained the
children. Unable to bear the sus-
pense any longer, the mother, has
tily taking her infant from the cra-
die. summoned one or two female
servants about the house, and started
to meet the objects of her solicitnde.
She entered the brush-grown held,
and was already greatly surprised
that she did not see them running TO
meet her. 1t will not be difficult for
mothers who read this to see the
hurried step, the flushed tace' ana
tho anxious eve Of Mrs. Mayse. Az
every step she is disappointed, ana
each disappointment adds to heI
sneed soon the field was passed
over. but no children are found. a
messenger was now dispatched' l'
the utmost haste, to the teacher'
family residing at the school-house,
and in a few moments they were on
. the ground. They reported that M tne
children had started for home AT the
neual time Of d!smjssing school,
! The anxiety of Mrs. Mayse can pet
ter be imagined than descrioed;L
How many fears rolled rapidiy
through her agitated bosom? Co1 Coul1
thew have become bewildered ana ,
; ,rere wandering in the dark and
y dreary hollows ? or was 1t possible DE
thot thew had been torn to pieces Dy
snme wild beast of tho mountains
Thev all hastily ran through tine