The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-12-27
MISCELLANY.
HARD TIME CONQUERED.
BY MRS. HENRY WARD BEEoHER.

Without being really conscious of it, every
one depends, more or less, on the kindness
and cooperation Of others for happiness or
success in whatever is undertaken. But in
the present state of financial affairs, whoever
looks for the helping hand in any business
pressure is likely to find lion in the way
which retards or entirely prevents the fulfill
ment of their hopos. Hard times is no
imaginary obstacle. To be sure, the term
may be sometimes employed too readily as a
reason or excuse for refusing kind deeds, yet
no one doubts its reality. Its pressure is felt
in every department of business all over the
country.
We can scarcely number the times we have
listened to the piteous means of young people
whose parents, by heavy losses, are compelled
to reduce their expenses, and call upon their
children to aid them, at least by the exercise
of little self-denial, children who, like the
lilies of the field, y till now were never called
upon to "toil or SPIN Their Heavenly
Father, no doubt, "careth for them,'' but,
unlike the lilies, we think He designed these
children to use the strength and talents given,
to do all they can for themselves, looking to
Him to bless and bring their efforts to perfec-
ton" out of seeming evil still educing
good"
About seventy years ago, physician with
a young family springing up around him, con-
sulting his wife, as all good husbands find 1t
prudent to do, bought large farm in one of
our New England States where every farmer
truly earns his living by the sweat of his
brow. Both felt that nowhere could their
children be trained to industry and frugalty
SO thoroughly as on a good farm
OF course the doctor was obliged to "run
in debt" for this property and give mort
gage ON the place. The payments we're to be
made quarterly, and promptly, or the whole
would be forfeited and revert to the original
owner. In those days physicians We're not
likely to become miionaires in hurry, and
though his practice was large yet the pay was
small and not always sure. He therefore look
ed to the farm to bring forth the means to re-
lease him from the bondage of debt and the
children, even to the youngest, were taught
to labor for aud look forward eagerly to the
| time, Whit Nc udNc phiu III shC i"i III.
The creditor was the doctors father-n-law,
through his first wife, and while the good old
gentleman lived. if by any mishap or over
press of business and quarterly payment had
been delayed, it would have been kindly ex-
cuscd But for the ten or fifteen years that
he lived after the sale Of the farm, there had
not been one delay in payment, though now
aud then there would come time when 1t was
very hard work to secure the needed sum IN
time, for even in the olden days hard times
were often found proving about, to the great
terror of our hard working New England
farmers But little by little the heavy debt
was diminished, and they were looking for
ward, hopefully, to the year of Jubilee, when
they could sit under their own vine and fig
tree with none to modest or make them afraid.
At this period the fatlier-in-law died. He
had but two chldren--daugh ters. The elder
married hard, close, scheming man, who
knowing that his wife and children would in
hert his property, in case the payments were
not promptly met lost no opportunity of re-
marking that DIR. Masons farm would doubt
4 less soon come into his hands, as with his
large family he must fail by and by.
The financial trouble which tne war of 1912
had caused as all wars are sure to do, were
not yet adjusted Money was scarce and pay
ments very difficult. Ten children now filled
the house with merrment and gladness but
they were to be clothed and educated
Let us see how successfully they had been
taught to make their high spirits and resolute
wills cheerful auxiliaries in lifting the burden
4 which, since their grandfather death, was
pressing heavily upon their parents.
At the time of which We write, among 9TH
or crops, rye was extensively raised. 1t was
used as food among the farmers quite as much
as wheat, but was also valuable for other pnie
poses. When full grown, but still in the milk,
large quantities were cut to be used for
braiding." The heads were used for fodder
the stalks, after being soaked in strong, hot
soap suds, were spread on the grass for the
sun to whiten. When sufficiently bleached
and ready for use, they were cut at each joint,
the husk stripped off, and the straw thus pre-.
pared tied in pound bundles for sale.
Bonnets, then, tSeant something more than
small bit of silk or velvet, with flower Of
feather attached, and the straw braid for max
ing them was in great demand. Boys and
girls were alike taught TO braid, and the long
! winter evenings were not spent idly. DR.
Mason raised large crops Of rye, and each
child, almost as Soon as weancd was taught
to braid, and was soon able to do much by il
toward clothing him. AZ six years Of age a