mother. She could not
see any way out of the difficulty, and therefore she had once more to
leave her case in the hands of God. He had made a way for them in
times past, when human eyes could see no path, and she believed that He
would again render the necessary assistance.

It was a happy day in the Garfields' cabin when Thomas returned. James
was the first to see him, and with a loud cry of joy he ran off to meet
and welcome his brother. Their mother heard that cry, and from her
cabin door she saw her two sons approaching hand in hand. They were
both speaking at once, and the burden of their conversation was
expressed in the first words Thomas spoke to his mother.

"We are going to have a frame house now," he cried.

A moment later they were all inside the cabin together--mother, sons,
and daughters, and in the mother's lap lay a handful of gold, which
Thomas had placed there. James danced with excitement as he saw the
sparkling coins which his brother had earned. Never before had he seen
a gold coin, and he had hardly imagined that such a sum could be within
the reach of the humble workman.

Mrs. Garfield looked at the little pile on her knee, and then at her
son, but she did not utter a single word.

"Why don't you say something?" cried James in his excitement.

Why? Because she was unable to do so. There are feelings too deep for
words, and times when we cannot give expression to the intense joys or
bitter sorrows that thrill or rend our hearts.

The bitter sorrow she had experienced when her husband was struck down
in his early manhood; the intense joy now possessed her soul when she
saw this golden token of her eldest son's love and devotion. The gold
that was needed to provide a better house for her lay there, and no one
knew its value better than she did. But what were the golden coins to
the mother, compared with the pure, unselfish, loving spirit of her
son? She would not have exchanged that precious filial affection for
all the gold that was coined in royal mint.

Relief came when at length the mother's tears fell on the shining
coins. Tears indeed! but tears of joy. Never was there a happier
woman in the world than was Widow Garfield at that moment.

No time was lost in carrying out the work, for Thomas was eager to get
back again to earn more money while there was plenty of employment.
When he had arranged with Mr. Treat, the village carpenter, he made a
journey to Cleveland with Ja