The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-09-30
Hidden Strength.

In one of the prairie towns of north
ern Iowa, where the Illinois Central
railroad now passes from Dubuque to
Sioux City, lived woman whose ex-
perience repeats the truth that inherent
forces, ready to be developed, are wait
ing for the emergencies that life may
bring.
She was 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 twenty-one to young
farmer, poor, but intelligent and am
bilious. In ten 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
thirty-fve, with four boys, the eldest
nearly fourteen, and the youngest nine.
The blow came suddenly, and at first
was overwhelming.
Alone, in what seemed almost will.
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.
Daniel, the hired man, who had come
out with them and was devoted friend
and servant, she determined to keep
his judgment was excellent in farm
matters.
Hitherto the boys had gone regu-
larly to school mile or two away; for a
settlement in Iowa was never without
a schoolhouse. They were bright and
quick to learn. Their father had been
eager to help and 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 her house she drifted along, as so
many do, until the discipline of study
or any special application had been al
most forgotten. 1t was the ambition of
both parents that their sons should be
well educated.
Now, Jerry and Thede, the two old
est, must be kept at home during the
summer to work. Nate and Johnnie
could help at night and morning. The
boys had always been trained to habits
of obedience. They were affectionate,
and she knew 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.
Jop,+ mind +ha xunrl, eo;J rrboO
dore, /" if l could only be learning, too
Father used to say he wanted me to BIZ
civil engineer"
6" If father was here" said eleven.
year-old Nate, "you could study even
ings and recite to him. l wish mothel
could help; but then, l guess tina
mother's''-
"Help how?" she heard Jerry ask
sharply, before Nate could finish hi
sentence; and she knew at once tina
the boy was jealous for her. Ism
she the best mother in the world?"
Yes, she is, and she likes stories
too; but l was just thinking, if sh,
only knew lot about everything, why
she could tell you"
"Well," replied Jerry, with all tn,
gravity of a man, we must take hole
and help all we can; it's going to b.
hard enough for mother. l just hat
to give up school and pitch into work
Thede, you shall go next winter, any
way"
"Shan't we be lonesome next win
ter?" said little Johnnie, who ha
taken no part in the conversation unit
now. Won't mother be afraid?
want my father back" and without
word of warning, he burst into tears.
Dead silence for few minutes. TIL
outburst was so sudden she knew the
were all weeping. 1t was Jerry agai
who spoke first. "Don't let mothe
see us crying. Come, Johnnie, let
take Bone, and all go down to the trap.
Then she heard them pass out of tn
house.
Desoation fell upon that poor woma
for the next hour. Like knife Nate
remark had passed through her heart
Father could have helpedi" Coudn
she help her boys for whom she wa
ready to die? Was she only" mother
who prepared their meals and took car
of their clothes? She wanted to be
part of the very best of their lives. Sh
thought it all over, sitting up far int
the night. If she could create an intel
est in some study that should bind thei
all together, and in which she coul
lead! Was she too old to begin? Neve
before had the desire to become tn
very center of interest to them take
such hold upon her.
A few weeks after, she said, on
morning at the breakfast table: "Boyi
I've been thinking that we might begi
geology this summer and study it, a
of US together. 1 have found tex
book; by and by Thede can draw
chart, perhaps. Jerry will take hold,
know, and Nate and Johnnie can hur
for specimens. We have an hour c
two every night"
The children's interest awoke in
flash, and that very evening the ques