Working Together

Many years ago there was a physician with a young family, who had bought a farm to raise his children on. Both he and his wife felt that nowhere could the children be trained to be diligent workers as thoroughly as a good farm.

The doctor had to borrow a lot of money to purchase the property, and as long as he had steady employment, the payments were faithfully made. Should he fail on a payment, the property would be returned to the original owner. In those days doctors did not make a lot of money like they do today. Although Mr. Mason had plenty of patients, the pay was small and it was not steady. He therefore used the farm to earn more money in order to make his mortgage payments. The children, even the youngest, were taught to labor for, and look forward eagerly to the time when the land would be completely paid off and the farm would be theirs.

The creditor was the doctor’s father-in-law, through his first wife, was a good man when he lived. If they had difficulty making a payment and it was delayed, he didn’t mind. He patiently waited for his money. For ten or fifteen years that they lived there, they had not missed one payment, though now and then it was a little difficult to scrape the money together. Little by little the large debt was diminishing.

At this point in time the father-in-law died. He had only two children – daughters. The younger one, the doctor’s wife also died, childless. The older daughter married a hard, scheming man who took over the business of his wife’s father. He remarked to his wife that he would lose no opportunity of obtaining Mr. Mason’s land since he had a large family with his second wife and would surely be late with a payment sooner or later.

After the war of 1812 in America, money was scarce and the payments were getting a little more difficult, but they were still being paid. At that time one of the crops the doctor grew was rye, which was not only used for food, but also when full-grown, but still with the milk inside, they used it for “braiding.” The stalks were soaked in strong hot soap-suds, then were spread on the grass for the sun to whiten. When sufficiently bleached, and ready for use, they were cut at each joint, and the husk stripped off, and the straw thus prepared was then tied in bundles for sale. They were often used for trimmings on bonnets.

Boys and girls were alike taught to braid, and the long winter evenings were not spent in idleness. Mr. Mason raised large crops of rye and each child, almost as soon as he could walk, was taught to braid. At six years of age a dollar a week was easily earned; at eight, three dollars; and more for the older ones. The children saved their money to purchase their own clothing.

Does anyone think that such a life was cruel and hard? Never was there a greater mistake. It was of great value to those young spirits. They had something real, that they could understand, to labor for. There was life and courage and true heroism in it. It was an education that was worth more than all the money millionaires bequeath to their children; an education, which prepared them to be helpful and courageous as adults.

After some time, Dr. Mason seemed to become troubled. For several days he spoke very little. Everyone noticed it, but no one said anything. One evening when he came to supper looking so worried and despondent, his wife asked him if he was feeling sick.

“No, I am quite well in my health. But, Lucy, I have so far been unable to collect money for this payment. So much is owed to me that I was sure I would have the money, but many are unable to pay me.”

“How much money are you lacking?”
“About a hundred dollars; but it may as well be thousands, since I have no way of getting it now. There is so much sickness this winter and I have no rest, but I have little time to collect any money. If I don’t have the money before midnight tomorrow, we are ruined. I have kept it from you as long as I have dared, still hoping that those who should pay me would do so.”

“Have you told them how very important it is that you should have the money?”
“No; I did not wish to speak of it. Mr. H. is watching greedily for a ?slip,’ and we will not expect to have any mercy at his hands. Under our hard labour and good care, this farm has risen greatly in value – so much that he will not spare us even one hour, if he can get a hold of it. I am extremely discouraged about it. It is the darkest time we have seen yet. But I must be off, and will probably be kept out all night. To think that there are not forty-eight hours between us and ruin! And my hands are so tied by several severe cases, that I may not find one hour to make up that money that is needed.”

For a few minutes after the doctor left, the children stood silent and sad, watching their mother. At last she said, –
“Children, we can help father through this, and save our home, if you are willing to submit to some little self-denial. No; I should have said to great self-denial. Each of you has worked diligently to buy new garments for winter. You need them and deserve them, and I should be happy and proud to see you all neat and comfortable. But to help father, are you willing to let me try to clean, mend, or make over your old clothes, and use what you have earned to help brighten this dark day? The braid you have on hand, and what is now due at the store, is all your own, or to be spent for your own clothes, and if each one of you is not perfectly willing, I do not wish you to give it up.”

It was a beautiful sight to see those eager faces watching their mother, ready to answer the moment she had finished. The children enthusiastically agreed to mother’s plan.

“Thanks dear children. Now, then, hasten. First bring me all your braid, and let us see how much it will come to.”
The braid, in ten-yard rolls, was brought, and its value estimated.

“With that which is now due us at the store, we have nearly sixty dollars! Well done, for all these little fingers! But now we must work to make up the remainder. Your father spoke of a quantity of straw, which, if cut would bring in something. He will be away all night. If you work well, we can cut many pounds before midnight.

By the time the candles were lighted, all was ready to begin.
The younger children were excused at their usual bedtime, but the others worked with mother until the tall clock in the corner struck one. Then all retired for a few hours’ rest.

Dr. Mason returned home in time for breakfast, and his wife asked if the eldest son could drive her over to the neighbouring town to dispose of some braid for the children. He replied that he must be gone again nearly all day, and neither son nor team could be spared from the important work at home. Mrs. Mason, who never allowed her plans or wishes to interfere with her husband’s, now repeated her request, and urged it until he yielded, apparently from sheer surprise that his wife could be so persistent.

The doctor went on his usual round, and the mother and her son departed on their mysterious errand. Their business accomplished, they returned well satisfied and ready for supper when the father arrived.

A deeper gloom was on his face when he entered; but no word was spoken until all were seated at the table. Then in a slightly agitated voice his wife inquired, “Have you been successful in obtaining the money?”

He shook his head, but remained silent. Each young quivering face was turned first towards him, then in earnest, questioning glance to the mother.“Be not discouraged, dear, even at this late hour.”

“Are you in your right mind, Lucy? There are only six hours between us and ruin. Can you talk about hope now? I have none.”
With a warming gesture to the children, she rose, stepped to her husband’s chair, and passing her arm around her neck, said, gently, “Yet still hope on, my husband; God will not forsake us.”

He moved impatiently from under her arm; but as he did so, she dropped a roll of money onto his lap and went back to her chair.

“Lucy! Lucy! What is this? Where did you get it?”

All were wild with excitement. Each child laughing, sobbing, shouting, but one glance from that strong but gentle mother quelled the confusion, and she replied, –
“It is our children’s offering, and is enough to make the payment this month. I persisted in going away this morning against your wish, because I saw no escape. We cut the straw last night – many willing hands made quick work; I sold it, and their braid added to it, and that was enough.”

Those who witnessed that scene will never forget it; Dr. Mason with his arm around his wife, and both in tears, calling her happy names, the children clinging about their parents, so joyful that their home was saved, and they had helped to save it.

After this difficult hurdle, Dr. Mason was able to make the needed payments for the final two years and resolved never to borrow money again.

The family was saved because they worked together. The children sacrificed to help their parents. Children, today, should help their parents as they see a need. More importantly also, children can learn to make sacrifices to give money to Jesus. Jesus has promised never to leave us or to forsake us, and as we put our money in the bank of Heaven, Jesus will provide for us in our times of need.