Her first book , laboured over for years , and launched full of the high hopes and ambitious dreams of youth , foundered on its voyage , though the wreck continued to float long afterward , to the profit of the publisher at least . The hastily written story , sent away with no thought beyond the few dollars it might bring , sailed with a fair wind and a wise pilot at the helm into public favour , and came home heavily laden with an unexpected cargo of gold and glory . A more astonished woman probably never existed than Josephine Bhaer when her little ship came into port with flags flying , cannon that had been silent before now booming gaily , and , better than all , many kind faces rejoicing with her , many friendly hands grasping hers with cordial congratulations . After that it was plain sailing , and she merely had to load her ships and send them off on prosperous trips , to bring home stores of comfort for all she loved and laboured for . The fame she never did quite accept ; for it takes very little fire to make a great deal of smoke nowadays , and notoriety is not real glory . The fortune she could not doubt , and gratefully received ; though it was not half so large a one as a generous world reported it to be . The tide having turned continued to rise , and floated the family comfortably into a snug harbour where the older members could rest secure from storms , and whence the younger ones could launch their boats for the voyage of life . All manner of happiness , peace , and plenty came in those years to bless the patient waiters , hopeful workers , and devout believers in the wisdom and justice of Him who sends disappointment , poverty , and sorrow to try the love of human hearts and make success the sweeter when it comes . The world saw the prosperity , and kind souls rejoiced over the improved fortunes of the family ; but the success Jo valued most , the happiness that nothing could change or take away , few knew much about . It was the power of making her mother 's last years happy and serene ; to see the burden of care laid down for ever , the weary hands at rest , the dear face untroubled by any anxiety , and the tender heart free to pour itself out in the wise charity which was its delight . As a girl , Jo 's favourite plan had been a room where Marmee could sit in peace and enjoy herself after her hard , heroic life . Now the dream had become a happy fact , and Marmee sat in her pleasant chamber with every comfort and luxury about her , loving daughters to wait on her as infirmities increased , a faithful mate to lean upon , and grand-children to brighten the twilight of life with their dutiful affection . A very precious time to all , for she rejoiced as only mothers can in the good fortunes of their children . She had lived to reap the harvest she sowed ; had seen prayers answered , hopes blossom , good gifts bear fruit , peace and prosperity bless the home she had made ; and then , like some brave , patient angel , whose work was done , turned her face heavenward , glad to rest . This was the sweet and sacred side of the change ; but it had its droll and thorny one , as all things have in this curious world of ours . After the first surprise , incredulity , and joy , which came to Jo , with the ingratitude of human nature , she soon tired of renown , and began to resent her loss of liberty . For suddenly the admiring public took possession of her and all her affairs , past , present , and to come . Strangers demanded to look at her , question , advise , warn , congratulate , and drive her out of her wits by well-meant but very wearisome attentions . If she declined to open her heart to them , they reproached her ; if she refused to endow her pet charities , relieve private wants , or sympathize with every ill and trial known to humanity , she was called hard-hearted , selfish , and haughty ; if she found it impossible to answer the piles of letters sent her , she was neglectful of her duty to the admiring public ; and if she preferred the privacy of home to the pedestal upon which she was requested to pose , ` the airs of literary people ' were freely criticized . She did her best for the children , they being the public for whom she wrote , and laboured stoutly to supply the demand always in the mouths of voracious youth -- ` More stories ; more right away ! '
Her family objected to this devotion at their expense , and her health suffered ; but for a time she gratefully offered herself up on the altar of juvenile literature , feeling that she owed a good deal to the little friends in whose sight she had found favour after twenty XXXXX of effort .
Bhaer Jo Marmee fire first grand-children right storms twilight years