Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-10-18
SELECT STORY.
HIDDEN STRENGTH.

Central railroad now passes from Du-
buque to Sioux City, lived woman
whose experience repeats the truth
that the inherent forces, ready to be
developed are waiting for the emer-
gencies that life may bring. She had
been born and drought up in New
England. With the advantages of
country school and few terms in
neighboring city, she became fair
scholar, not at all remarkable. She
was married at 21 to a young farmer;
poor, but intelligent and ambitious.
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, a happy family, for five years,
when he died, leaving her at the age
Of 36 with four boys, the eldest near
ly IA and the youngest 9. The blow
came suddenly, and was at first over
whelmng.
Alone, in what seemed almost u
wilderness, she had no thought Of
giving up the farm. 1t was home.
They must stay and do the best they
could. The prospect of Il 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 mai,
who had come out with them, and
who was Il devoted friend and servant,
she determined to keep; his Judgment
was excellent in farm matters.
Hitherto the boys had gone reg
ularly TO school, a mile or two away !;
for settlement in Iowa was never
without Il school house. They were
bright and quick to learn. Their
father had been eager and willing to
encourage 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 the house she had drifted
along, as many do, until the dis
cipline Of study or any special ap
plication had been almost forgotten
1t was the ambition Of both parents
that their sons should be we'll ed
ucated.
Now jerry and Thede, the two old
est, must be kept at home during the
summer to work. Nate and Johnny
could help at night and morning,
The boys had always been trained to
habits Of obedience. They were af-
fectionate, and she knew she could
depend upon their love.
One evening alone in her bedroom,
she overheard some part of con-
yersation, as the children were sitting
around the fireplace,
Il don't mind the work." said
Theodore. ''If | could only be
learning too. Father used to say he
wanted me to be civil engineer"
"If father was here" said 11-year-
old Nate, you could study evenings
and reeite to him. | wish mother
could help; but, then, guess that's
mothers"
'Help how ?" she heard Jerry ask,
sharply, before Nate could finish his
sentence and she knew at once that
the boy was jealous for her. "Isn't
she the best mother in the world :"
"Yes, she is; and she likes stories,
too; but | was thinking, now that
you can't go to school, if she only
knew lot about everything, why,
she could tell YOU
"Well," replied Jerry, with all the
gravity of aman, ''we must take hold
and help all We can; it's going to be
hard enough for mother. | Just hate
to give up school and pitch into
work. Thede, you shall go next win
ter, anyway"
'Shan't we be lonesome next win
ter?'' cried little Johnny, who had
taken no part in the conversation un-
til now; won't mother be afraid. |
want my father back" and without a
word of warning, he burst into tears.
Dead silence for Il few minutes.
The outburst was sosudden she knew
they were all weeping. 1t was Jerry
again who spoke first: Don't let
mother see us crying. Come, John
ny, let's take Bone, and all go down
to the trap" Then she heard them
all pass out of the house.