Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-10-18
WHOLE NO. $50.

when they were trying to trip each
other with questions. The teacher
of the district school came over one
Saturday afternoon.
Il never had such pupils, as your
sons in history; and, indeed, they
want to look into everything"
Afterward he heard with delight
the story Of her evenings work.
The deep SHOWS often shut them in,
hat the red light shone clearly and
bright from the sitting-room window
and a merry group was gathered
around the table.
Every two weeks an evening was
given to some journey. 1t was laid
out in advance and studied faithfully.
Once, Theodore remembers, shout
of laughter was raised when 8 o'clock
came, by Jerry's exclamation:
"Oh, mother, don't 90 home; we
are all having such good time"'
Five years they lived in this way,
and almost entirely by themselves.
They studied botany. She knew the
name Of every tree and shrub for
miles around. The little boys made
a collection Of birds eggs, and then
began to watch closely the habits of
the birds. 1t was pure, simple life.
! 1t would have been too wild and lone
| ly bat for the charms of this devoted
mother. Her hours of loneliness
were hidden from them, but she
learned in an unusul degree to throw
every energy into the days work of
study, and create, as it were, a fresh
enthusiasm for the present hour.
Her loving sacrifice was rewarded.
Each child made her his peculiar
/ confdant. She became the inspra-
ton Of his life.
English history opened wide field
to this family. One afternoon she
/ brought in Shakespeare to prove
some historical question. 1t was a
rainy day and the boys were all at
home. Jerry began to read CLAM
let" aloud; 1t proved a treasure that
brought them iutoa new world of de-
/ light. Sometimes they took differ
ent characters for representation, and
the evening ended i'll frolic, for
good-natured mirth WAS never re-
pressed. ...
First Of all a preparation had been
made for the Sabbath. There was a
church in this town, but at dis
tance Of several miles, and during
many days the roads were not pass
able. She had leaned upon Infinite
gathering wisdom through all their
experiences. The secret of many a
promise had been revealed to her un-
derstanding, and above everything
she desired that the Scriptures might
become precious to her children. She
took up Bible characters, bringing to
bear the same vivid interest, the same
power of making them realities.
These lessons were varied by little
sketches or reports Of one Sunday to
be read aloud the next. OF this Nate
took hold with special zest. None of
this family could sing, but she
thought Of substitute. They learn
ed the Psalms, much of Isaiah, and
many hymns, repeating them Ill con-
cert, learning to count upon this hour
around the fire as others do upon the
music.
How many of these times came to
her in after life--a vision Of the
bright faces of her boys as they clus-
tered affectionateIy around her.
Time rolled by. A railroad pass
ed through. A village sprang upand
the land was ready to sell. She
could keep enough for her own use,
and the boys could prepare for COL
lege. Thede and Nate went away to
school. The old house was kept
bright and pleasant, friends, new set
tiers came in, and now there was
visiting and social life.
Jerry stayed on the farm; Theo-
dore became an engineer; Nate a
minister; Johnny went into business.
Theodore used to say:
"Mother, as | travel about all the
stones and flowers make me think OF
you | catch sight Of some rock and
stop to laugh over those blessed
times"
Nate said: "Mother, when l am
readinga psalm in the pulpit, there
/ ALWAYS comes to me picture of those