Year: 1870




A company of ladies. assembled in par
lor, were one day talking about their differ
ent troubles. Each one had something to
say about her own trials. But there was
one in the company, pale and sad looking,
who for awhile said nothing. Suddenly
rousing herself at last, she said:


my friends, you don't any of you know
what trouble is.


"Will you please, Mrs Gray" said the
kind voice of one who knew her story, tell
the ladies what you call trouble ?''


Il will you desire it; for, in the words
of the prophet, 1 am the one who hath seen
affliction' 3"


My parents were very well off and my girl
hood was surrounded by all the comforts of
life. Every wish of my heart was grati(ied
and | was cheerful and happy.


AT the age of nineteen, I married one
whom | loved more than all the world beside
Our home was retired but the sun never
shone upon a lovelier spot or happier
household. Years rolled on peacefully
Five lovely children sat around our table
and 4 little curly head still nestled in my
bosom. One night, about sundown, a fierce
black storm came on. For many hours the
rain poured down necessarily. Morning
dawned But all the elements ragged. The
country around US was overhowed. The
little streams near our dwelling became a
foaming torrent. Before we were aware Of
1t, our house was surrounded by water. |
managed, with my babe, TO reach little ele-
vatei spot, where the thick foliage of few
wide spreading trees afforded some protec-
ton, while my husband and sons strove to
save whatsthey could of our property. At
last fearful surge swept away my husband
and he never rose again. Ladies, no one
ever loved husband more but that was
not trouble


Presently my sons saw their danger and
the struggle for life became the only con-
sderation. They were as brave, loving boys
as ever blessed a mothers heart, and |
watched their efforts to escape, with such
agony as only mothers can feel. They were
so far off that 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 swollen river ragged fearfully around
the huge trees: Dead, branches, upturncd
trunks, wrecks of houses, drowning cattle,
and masses of rubbish, all went floating past
us.-My boys waved their hands to me and
then pointed upward. Iknew it was their
farewell signal, and you, mothers, can imag-
inc my anguish. / saw them perish-all
perish ! Yet that was not trouble.


Il hugged my babe close to my heart ;
and when the water rose to my feet, l elm
bed into the low branches of the tree. and so
kept retiring before it, till the hand of God
stayed the waters that they should rise no
further. | was saved. All my worldly pos
sessions were swept away, all my earthly
hopes blighted. Yet that was not trouble.


My babe was all that had left on earth
Ilabored day and night 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 me. He ceased to care
for his mothers counsels He would sneer
at her kind entreaties and agonizing prayers.
He became fond of drinking. He left my
humble roof, that he might be unrestrained
in his evil ways. And at last, one night,
when heated by wine, he took the life of a
fellow creature. He ended his days upon
the gallowsl God had filled my cup of sor-
row before; now it ran over. That was
trouble, my friends, such as | hope the Lord
in mercy may spare you from every know
ing"


Boys, girls, can you bear to think that
you might bring sorrow on your dear father
or mother If you would not, be on your
guard against the GIANT Intemperance.