Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-10-02
HIDDEN STRENGTH.


ern Iowa, where the Illinois Central
Railroad now passes from Dubuque to
Sioux City, lived n woman whose eX-
pcriencc repeats the truth that inner.
ent forces, ready to be developed, are
waiting for the emergencies that life
may bring.
She was born and drought up" in
New England. With the advantages
of u country school, and few terms
in ncighboring city, she became
fair schOlar-not at all remarkable;
she was married at twcnty-onc TO
young farmer, poor but intelligent
and ambitious. In ten years after the
death of their parents they emgratcd
to Iowa and invested their money in
land that badc fair to increase in val
ne, but far away from ncighbors. Here
they lived, happy family, for five
years, when he died, leaving her ut the
age of thrty-iivc, with four boys, the
eldest nearly fourteen and the young
est nine. The blow came suddenly,
and at first was overwhelming.
Alone, in what seemed almost 4
wilderness, she had no thought Of Civ
ing up the farm, 1t was home. They
must stay and do the best they could
The prospect of 4 railroad passing
near them in time, was good; then
some of the land might be sold. A
little money had been laid by-noth-
ing 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 regular
ly to school n mile or two away; for a
settlement in Iowa was never without
school-housc. They were bright and
quick to learn. Their father had been
eager to help and encourage them.
Newspapers, magazines, and now
and then II good book had found their
way into this household. Though very
fond of reading herself, with the care
of her house she had driftcd along,
as so many do, until the disipline of
study or any special application had
been almost forgotten. 1t was tho
ambition of both parents that their
sons should be well educated.
Now, Jerry and Thcde, the two
oldest, must be kept at homo during
the summer to work. Nate and John
nic could help at night and morning.
The boys had always been trained to
habits of obedience. They were atfec-
tionatc, and she knew she could de-
pend upon their love.
One evening, alone in her bedroom,
she overheard some part of a conver-
sation, as the children were sitting to-
gether around the fireplace.
81 don't mind the work, y said Thco-
dore, "if | could only be learning too.
Father used to say he wanted me to
be civil engineer. "
"If father were here" said cleve
year old Nate, "you could study even
ings and recite to him. wish moth
er could help; but, then, | guess that
mother s.
"Help how?n 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 worldPn
"Yes, she is; and she likes stories,
too; but was just thinking, now that
you can't go to school, if she only
knew a lot about everything, why, she
could tell you"
"Well, replied Jerry, with all the
gravity of q man, 1--WE must just 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 80 next win
ter anyway"
"Shan't we be lonesome next win,
terP" said little Johnnie, who had
taken no part in the conversation until
now. won't mother be afraid?
want my father back" and without O
word of warning he burst into tears
Dead silence for few minutes. The
outburst was so sudden, she knew
they were all weeping. 1t was Jerry
again who spoke first. Don't let
mother sec us crying. Come, Johnnie
let's take Bone, and all go down tC
the trap" then she heard them pass
out of the house.
Desolation fell upon that poor wo
man for the next hour. Like knit,
Mates remark had passed through hel
heart, "Fathcr could havo helpcdr
Couldn't she help her boys, for whom
she was ready to dieP Was she onl,
mother" who prepared their meal'
and took care of their clothesp Sh,
wanted to be part of the very best O.
their lives. She thought it all over
sitting up far into the night. If sh,
could create an interest in some study
that should bind them all together
and in which she could lead! Was sh,
too old to beginp Never before had tn,
desire to become the very center of in
terest to them taken such hold upol
her.
A few weeks after, she said, ont
morning at the breakfast table; Boys
I've been thinking that we might be
gin geology this summer and study 1t
all Of us together, have found a tex
book; by and by Thede can draw I
chart, perhaps. Jerry will take hold
know, and Nate and Johnnie cal
hunt for specimens. We have an hou