Then the delighted surprise of mother when she went out to lend a helping hand, and found how much was accomplished, was sufficient stimulant for several days to come. When this task was accomplished and pronounced by both father and mother a perfect success, the children were aroused to a sense THE MOTHER IN THE HOME. 353 of pride in the place, and the adornment of the lawn was made their one thought. They searched the woods for wild roses and brought from the fields every plant that gave promise of pretty blossoms. Seeds were bought and carefully planted, and when the spring was fairly upon them the promise of a pretty yard was soon fulfilled. Dead limbs had been cut, the whitewash brush had been used on the trunks of the trees, and the ground was as clean " as a velvet carpet," to quote one of the industrious brood. Honeysuckles that had gone to waste over the ground were fastened to supports, and the shrubbery pruned until it all looked good as new. Walks were straightened, borders made, and the garden was reclaimed. To do all this required a great deal of toil, and no end of utility, ingenuity and good management. The mother had all these qualities, and when she taught her children how to cover unsightly stumps with graceful vines and showy plants, and where to put out shrubs that they had secured after long effort, she was inspired in her lessons by the assurance of her conscience that she was helping them to over- come obstacles and meet misfortune with quiet courage. The spirit of improvement once thoroughly aroused there was no suppressing the plans formed to " get the place in order." It became a by-word in the family, and the two eldest were accused of talking at night in their sleep and planning the most unheard-of things, all for the purpose of getting things to rights. The time came when the house was in thorough order, and only required to be painted out- side to have it " a beauty," and the yard was ready for the warm days that would bring up the flowers from the ground and cause the young trees and shrubs to grow. There had been much quiet talk about what should be done with the ugly old fence around the barn. It must remain because a new one was an expense not to be thought of, and it could not be improved by novices. This the chil- dren thought, and so said father when he heard the matter discussed by them. Mother listened quietly until he had finished his remarks and then discreetly broke up the consulting party and waited for a more convenient season to think and act. 23 354 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Then the delighted surprise of mother when she went out to lend a helping hand, and found how much was accomplished, was sufficient stimulant for several days to come. When this task was accomplished and pronounced by both father and mother a perfect success, the children were aroused to a sense THE MOTHER IN THE HOME. 353 of pride in the place, and the adornment of the lawn was made their one thought. They searched the woods for wild roses and brought from the fields every plant that gave promise of pretty blossoms. Seeds were bought and carefully planted, and when the spring was fairly upon them the promise of a pretty yard was soon fulfilled. Dead limbs had been cut, the whitewash brush had been used on the trunks of the trees, and the ground was as clean " as a velvet carpet," to quote one of the industrious brood. Honeysuckles that had gone to waste over the ground were fastened to supports, and the shrubbery pruned until it all looked good as new. Walks were straightened, borders made, and the garden was reclaimed. To do all this required a great deal of toil, and no end of utility, ingenuity and good management. The mother had all these qualities, and when she taught her children how to cover unsightly stumps with graceful vines and showy plants, and where to put out shrubs that they had secured after long effort, she was inspired in her lessons by the assurance of her conscience that she was helping them to overcome obstacles and meet misfortune with quiet courage. The spirit of improvement once thoroughly aroused there was no suppressing the plans formed to " get the place in order." It became a by-word in the family, and the two eldest were accused of talking at night in their sleep and planning the most unheard-of things, all for the purpose of getting things to rights. The time came when the house was in thorough order, and only required to be painted outside to have it " a beauty," and the yard was ready for the warm days that would bring up the flowers from the ground and cause the young trees and shrubs to grow. There had been much quiet talk about what should be done with the ugly old fence around the barn. It must remain because a new one was an expense not to be thought of, and it could not be improved by novices. This the children thought, and so said father when he heard the matter discussed by them. Mother listened quietly until he had finished his remarks and then discreetly broke up the consulting party and waited for a more convenient season to think and act. 354 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home