In The Pioneer's Cabin Home

From a story of the making of Kansas
by McKeever.

And now as the seasons passed on, the cabin

 alone on the prairie,

 Enlarged and partly rebuilt and with out-

buildings clustered about it, 

Became the inspiring scene of many of life's

 young endeavors. 

Conveniently near the place had Archibald

 planted an orchard 

Of apples and peaches and plums, and small

 fruit of every description. 

Adorning the dooryard and walks were elm 

trees and maples and cedars. 

Underneath whose cooling shade the children

 could play in contentment. 

And oh! the many young souls to be 

clothed and nourished and cared for! 

With not a device or convenience and very 

scant means for buying 

At shop or store or from peddler the plainest 

of things for the household. 

But some there be always among us who 

seem to be marked for hardship, 

For peril or sword or privation or other dire 

earthly oppression, 

And yet whose spirit undaunted seems destined 

forever to triumph. 

Such was the spirit of Archibald, such was 

the strength of Elvira, 

And so by the light of the fireplace or homemade 

candle dim burning, 

Elvira would sit with her sewing at night, 

while nimble her fingers 

Would fly through the stitches of garments 

new, or at mending the old ones. 

And though a fierce storm might be raging 

without, and hungry coyotes 

Mingling their blood-curdling cries with the

 moan and the sigh of the north-wind,

And Archibald off at the village a two-days

trip for provisions. 

Yet was she not afraid. Fondly in thought

would she picture the future 

Of the little ones lying asleep on cots or on

pallets about her. 

Seeing for each one a career of success, of

fame and of honor. 

And firm indeed was her faith in the love 

of the Heavenly Father, 

To whom she resigned all her cares, receiving

new strength for the morrow.