Parker obtained an assistant and went to work to prepare the cleared ground for spring crops, and his wife, with a babe at her breast and no help, assumed all the duties pertaining to her family.

In cooking, washing, milking, sewing, etc., she found enough to occupy all her time late and early.

It was a rare thing for her to lay her head upon her pillow without extreme weariness and even exhaustion.
Time went on, and they began to reap the first fruits of their industry.

The wilderness and solitary place blossomed.

The little clearing widened gradually its circle, and many little comforts, at first wanting, were obtained.