Have you read Isabella’s novel, The Older Brother?

It’s the story of a young man named Lawrence Hammond. Just before his father died, Lawrence promised he would always care for his mother and younger brother and sister, just as his father did before him.

But Lawrence had a dream. More than anything, he wanted a college education, but in the days following his father’s death, he put that dream on hold because his family needed him.

As time passed, Lawrence’s skill and hard work began pay off. The family farm began to prosper and it finally looked as though Lawrence’s dream of going to college just might become a reality.

Just then, though, the family’s needs called for another sacrifice.

Suddenly, Lawrence was forced to ask himself a difficult question:

Did he have the strength to once again postpone his own heart’s desire for the sake of the people he loves?

The Older Brother is a touching story of faith and family duty. An 1898 version of the novel is available on Amazon and other e-book retailers.

But we recently found an earlier version of the book, which included the lovely illustrations shared here.

The artist was George T. Tobin, who often worked in pencil and ink in his younger years.

His wonderful illustrations capture the essence of some of the key scenes in Isabella’s novel.

Have you read The Older Brother? What did you think of the story?

Did you think Lawrence was right to sacrifice his own aspirations for his family?

You can click on the Amazon stamp below to learn more about The Older Brother by Isabella Alden.