The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1883-11-15
HIDDEN STRENGTH.

HIDDEN SIhENUlA lie
In one of the prairie towns of North
ern Iowa, where the Illinois Central
Railroad now passes from Dubuque to
Sioux City, lived woman whose eXpe-
rience repeats the truth that inherent
forces, ready to be developed, are wait
inc for the emergencies that life may
bring.
She was born and drought up" in
New England. With the advantages
of country school, and few terms in
neighboring city, She became fair
schoar-not at all remarkable; she was
married at twenty-one to young
farmer, poor, but intelligent and ambi-
tious. In ten years after the death of
their parents they emigrated to Iowa,
and invested their money in land that
bade fair to increase in value, but far
away from neighbors. Here they lived,
happy family, for five years, when he
died, leaving her, at the age of thirty
five, with four boys, the eldest nearly
fourteen, the youngest nine. The blow
came suddenly, and at first was over
whelming. Alone, in what seemed al
most wilderness, she had no thought
Of giving up the farm. 1t was home.
There they must stay and do the best
they could. The prospect of railroad
passing near them in time, was good;
then some of the land might be sold. A
little money had been laid by-nothing
that she ought to touch for the present.
Daniel, the hired man, who had come
out with them, and who was devoted
friend and servant, she determined to
keep-his Judgment was excellent in
farm matters. Hitherto the boys had
gone regularly to school, mile or two
away; for a settlement in Iowa was
never without its school-house. They
were bright and quick to learn. Their
father had been eager TO help and en-
courage them. Newspapers, magazines,
and now and then good book, had
found their way into this household
Though very fond of reading herself,
with the care of her house she had drift
ed along. as so many women do, until
the discipline of study, or any special
application, had been almost forgotten.
" was the ambition of both parents that
their sons should be we'll educated.
Now Jerry and Thede, the two oldest,
must be kept at home during the sum
mer to work. Nate and Johnnie could
help at night and in the morning. The
boys had all been trained to habits of
obedience. They were atfectionate, and
she knew that she could depend upon
their love.
One evening, alone in her bedroom,
she overheard some part of a conversa-
llon as the children were sitting to-
gether around the open Fireplace:
don mind tho ttrot.l- - cosI frlno
aore, IF | could only be learning, too.
Father used to say he wanted me to be
aclyil engineer
III father was here,' said eleven
year-old Nate, you could study even
lngs ana recite to him. / wish mother
could help; but, then, 1 guess moth
Help, howPn she heard Jerry ask
Sharply, before Nate could finish his
sentences and she knew the boy was
Jealous at once for her. "Isn't she the
pest mother in the worldpn
es, sne is; and she likes stories.
too' put was just thinking, now that
you can go to school, if she only knew
,aii = 10. .. about everything, why, she could
well, replied Jerry, with all the
gravity Of a man, 1--WE must take hold
S, Snu ,nelp all we can; it's going to be
nara enough for mother. / lust hate
r., ri giye up school and pitch into work.
way i'0i' "iiS
ana we be lonesome next win
VI said little Johnnie, who had taken
~ part IN the talk until now; .'won't
hno.ner be afraidp | want nv father
;n UacA; and, without word Of warn
~, ne burst into tears.
Dead silence for few minutes. The
oulpurst was so sudden, she knew tbev
'' we're all weeping. 1t was Jerry arain
VINO spoke first: Don't let mother see
Us crying Come, Johnnie. let's take
tban an9 al go down to the trap;"
house. P"ss oue Oh the
co. p,eSsolation e fell upon that poor mother
ror,a .uS next hour Like knife Nate's s
seIlalk ..Fn.r mad passed through her heart,
sbo amer I could have helpedm Couldn't
% nelp her boys, for whom she was
WI Wy 70 dle' Was she only s.mother. .
~ u1 prepared their meals and took care
~ Il. 'nelr Clothes? She wanted part in
i o very pest of their lives. She Thought
If li oser' sitting up far into the night.
sor sue could only create an interest in
te tos, study that should bind them all
We'ner, and in-which she could leadl
tho a. sne 100 old to beginP Never had
intoir ny uesire to become the very center of
b,erest bsr to them taken such hold upon
2 lew weeks after, she said, one