The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-11-22
HIDDEN STRENGTH.


Sioux City, lived woman whose ex-
perience repeats the truth that in
herent forces, ready to he developed.
are waiting for the emergencies that
life may bring. She was born and
drought up''i in New England. With
the advantages of a country school,
and a few terms in a neighboring city,
she became fair scholar, not at all
remarkable. She was married at q
to young farmer poor, but intelli-
gent and ambitious. In ten years,
after the death of their parents, they
emigrated to Iowa, and invested
their money in land that bale fair to
increase in value, but far away from
neighbors. Here they lived, a happy
family, for five yeals. when he died,
leaving her at the age of 35, with four
boys, the eldest nearly II and the
youngest 8. The blow came sudden
ly, and at first was overwhelming.
Alone, in what seemed almost a
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 a 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 a DEVOTED friend and SER
want, she determined to keep; his
judgment was excellent in farm mat
ters.
Hitherto the boys had gone regu-
larly to school, mile or two away !;
for a settlement in Iowa was never
without a school house. They were
bright and quick to learn. Their
father had been eager and willing to
encourage them.
Newspapers, magazines, and now
t en- a 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 SO many do until the dis
cipline of study or any special appli,
cation had been almost forgotten. 1t
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 SIMMER to work, Nate and
Johnny could help at night and morn
ing. These boys had always been
trained to habits of obedience. They
were affectionate and she knew that
she could depend upon their love.
One evening, alone in her bedroom.
she overheard some part of a conver-
sation, as the children were sitting
together around the fireplace.
81 don't mind the work." said
Theodore, ''if l could only be learn
ing, too. Father used to say he want
ed me to be civil engineer"
"If father was here" said 11-year
old Nate, "you could study evenings
and recite 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 ?"
eyes, she is; and she likes stories,
too, but was 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 a man, "we must just take
hold and help all we can; it's going
to be hard enough for mother. IjuSt
hate to give up school and pitch into
work. Thede, you shall go next VIM
ter, anyway"
"Shan't we be lonesome next win
ter ?' cried little Johnny, who had
taken no part in the conversation ua-
til now won't mother be afraid ? /
want my father back, and without
word of warning, he burst into tears.
Dead silence for a few minutes
The Outburst.was so sudden she knew
they were all weeping. 1t was Jerry
again who spoke first. "Don't let
mother see US crying. Come Johnny,
let's take Bone. and all go down to
the trap;" then she heard them pass
out of the house.
Desolation fell upon that poor wO-
man for the next hour. Like a knife
Mates remark had passed through
ner heart. Father could have help
ed !" Couldn't she help her boys, for
whom she was ready to die? Was
she only "mother." who prepared
their meals and took care of their
clothes? She wanted a part of the.
very best of their lives. She thought
it ALI over sitting nm for into the