leaned on her noble son, even she hardly realised,
until she saw him preparing to leave her. The loving labours, the
strong hand, and the wise counsels of her boy, now a man, would be
sorely missed, yet she dried her tears, and asked the God in whom she
had trusted to support her in this new trial, and, above all, to be
with the lad. If God was with her son, she knew that all would be
well, and that he would come unscathed from the world and its
temptations. So, smiling through her tears, she bade him God-speed.

[Illustration: She dried her tears and asked God to support her.]

To James the parting was no less painful. He had confidence in
himself, and manfully made up his mind to fill his brother's place.
Yet he could not see the big brother, who was so dear to him, and who
had done so much for him, go away without feeling an aching void in his
heart. And Thomas--what about him? Did he lightly step out into the
world, and, glad to enjoy a sense of freedom, go on his new path
without a thought of those he was leaving behind? Not so. The man who
as a boy often had so nobly filled a father's place was still a son and
a brother. He left the log cabin because he knew that by doing so he
could the better help the loved ones who remained behind. Every day,
every hour, the gentle, loving mother whom he loved best in all the
world would in spirit be with him. The clever brother of whom he was
so proud would be ever in his thoughts, and the two sisters who had so
faithfully performed their part would not be forgotten.

[Illustration: An American Farmstead.]

Brave, noble-hearted, hard-working Thomas Garfield! though only known
to the world through his more gifted brother, he belongs to that grand
army of self-sacrificing spirits who leave a bright and shining track
behind them, and who everywhere make the wilderness and the desert
place to blossom like the rose.

While Thomas was cutting down trees in Michigan, James was playing the
part of "boy farmer" to the satisfaction of all who knew him. He was
but twelve years of age, and yet he went about his work like a man. He
said that he could take his brother's place, and he did it. Even the
neighbours began to speak with admiration of the diligent lad who was
trying so earnestly to fill his elder brother's place. James worked
cheerfully; he was satisfied to do his best in the position in which he
found himself. He was satisfied to remain in that position until