raised when nine o’clock came by Jerry’s exclamation, “O, mother, don’t go home now; we are all having such a 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.  It was a pure, simple life.  It would have been too wild and lonely but for the charm of this devoted mother.  Her hours of loneliness were hidden from them; but she learned in an unusual degree to throw every energy into the day’s 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 confidante.  She became the inspiration of his life.

English history opened a wide field to this family.  One afternoon she brought in Shakespeare to prove some historical question.  It was a rainy day, and the boys were all at home.  Jerry began to read “Hamlet” aloud; it proved a treasure that brought them into a new world of delight.  Sometimes they took different characters for representation, and the evening ended in a frolic; for good-natured mirth was never repressed.

First of all, a preparation had been made for the Sabbath.  There was a church in this town, but at a distance of several miles, and during many days the roads were impassable.  She had leaned upon infinite Strength, gathering wisdom through all these experiences.  The secret of many a promise had been revealed to her understanding; and, above every thing, she desired that the Scriptures should 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 a special zest.  None of this family could sing.  She thought of a substitute.  They learned the Psalms, much of Isaiah, and many hymns, repeating them in concert, learning to count upon this hour around the fire as others do upon their music.  How many of these times came to her in after life—­the vision of the bright faces of her boys as they clustered affectionately around her!

Time rolled by.  The railroad passed through.  A village sprang up, and the land was ready to sell.  She could keep enough for her own use, and the boys could prepare for college.  Thede and Nate went away to school.  The old home was kept bright and pleasant; friends, new settlers, came in, and now there was visiting and social life.