hard fare. He, too, was a hero. But what of that young wife, about
to become a mother, who sent him with a wife's blessing to a distant
circuit, not only large in extent, but embracing the hills of Crawford
county and a strip along the Ohio river of nearly two hundred miles in
length, inhabited by the poorest and roughest of the pioneer classes? If
he was a hero to undertake such a sacrifice, what shall we call that
young wife, who gave birth to her first-born during his absence, and
after a few months of budding promise, during which mother-love was
strongly developed, buried that child, all unsupported by the presence
and sympathy of her husband; and yet, near the close of the year, when
his heart began to fail and he thought of ceasing to travel, wrote to
the fainting hero: "Greatly as I would rejoice if I thought you could
live a located life, yet, if you can not feel clear in staying at home,
and if you believe you would not be as useful as when traveling,
notwithstanding the gloominess of our situation, I can not say stay. I
know very well there is no earthly enjoyment for me where you do not
participate; so, when you are absent, I do not look for any real
happiness, whether my situation be comfortable or not. Yet I well know I
can not enjoy happiness with you, except in the way of duty; therefore,
my dear, consult your situation, consult your feelings, but above all,
consult your God. Let His holy spirit be your counselor, and I will
endeavor to submit." Then, alluding to the very meager support the
circuit had given--less than ten dollars in all for the year--she adds:
"If you should conclude to quit the connection this year, I should be
well pleased if you would not receive anything from the circuit, but let
it be for those of our brethren who shall continue to travel." Heroic
little school teacher! What did she care for a trifle like quarterage
while she was able to support both herself and her husband? Of course
George K. Hester did not locate after receiving that letter, and he left
the quarterage for those to follow. Whether they got it or not is not
now known.

The next year we find her in a cabin in Jennings county, teaching school
for her own support and the support of her heroic husband, and giving
birth to her second son, the now venerable and talented Dr. F. A.
Hester, of the Southeast Indiana Conference.

George K. Hester was a great and heroic man, not only when traveling
large circuits with little