The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-01-08
HIDDEN STRENGTH.

Ao"" "AOAO UAo AAuuO4o OcuVIuA Id44IOttU
now passes from Dubuque to Sioux City,
lives woman whose experience repeats
the truth that inherent forces, ready to
be developed, are waiting for the ener-
gencies that life may bring. She was
born and drought up" in New England.
With the advantages of country school
and few terms in a neighboring city;
she became fair scholar, not at all re-
markable: She was married at 21 to a
young farmer, poor, but intelligent and
ambitious. In 10 years after the death
Of their parents, they emigrated to Iowa
and invested their money in land that
babe 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 IS with
four boys, the eldest IA and the young
est 9. The blow came suddenly and at
first was overwhelming.
Alone. in what seemed almost vii.
derness, she had no thought of giving
up the farm. 1t was home. 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. Dan
iel, the hired man. who had como out
with them, and who was a devoted
friend and servant. she determined to
keep-his judgment was excellent in
farm matters.
Hitherto the boys had gone regular
~ to school, mile or two away; for q
settlement in Iowa was never without q
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 a good book, had found their way
into this household. Though very fond
of reading herself, with the care of the
house she drifted along, as 80 many do
until the discipline of study or any spec
ial application had been almost forgot
ten. It was the ambition of both par
ents that their sons should be we'll edu-
Gated.
Now Jerry and Thede. the two oldest
must be kept at home during the sum-
mer to work. Nate and Johnny could
help at night and morning. The 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 converse
ton, as the children were sitting to-
gether around the fireplace.
Il don't mind the work." said Theo-
dore, If could only be learning, too.
Father used to say he wanted ma to be
q civil engineer"
IF father was here" said eleven year
old Nate, "you could study evenings
and recite to him. I wish mother would
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
60 to school, if she only knew q 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. I just hate
to give up school and pitch into work.
Thede, you shall go next winter, any
way"
"Shant we be lonesome next winter? ?"
cried little Johnny, who had taken no
part in the conversation till now; won't
mother be afraid? I want my father
back" and without word of warning
he burst into tears.
Dead silence for few minutes. The
outburst was so sudden, she knew they
were all weeping. It was Jerry again
vino 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 woman
for the next hour. Like knife Mates
remark had passed through her heart.
Father could have helped" 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 q
part of the very best of their lives.
She thought it all over sitting up far
into the night. If she could create an
interest in some study that should bind
them all together, and in which she
could lead. Was she too old to begin
Never had the desire to become the
very center of interest to them taken
such hold upon her.
A few weeks after she said one
morning at the breakfast table: "Boys,
I've been thinking that we might begin
geology this summer and study it, all
of us together. I have found q text
book; by and by Thede can draw q
chart, perhars. Jerry will take hold,
I know, and Nate and Johnny can hunt
for specimens. We have an hour Or
two every night.
The childrep's interest awoke in q