The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-07-05
CITE Californian
FOE THE BOYS AND GIRLS.
the HIGHLAND WIDOW.

The HIGHLAND WIDOW.
Some years ago there lived . poor widow
in one Of the romantic villages in the High
lands Of Scotland. Her lot in life was hard
one her husband was recently dead, leaving
her With an only child, little girl almost On
infant With this charge she struggled q
mid poverty for some time, but at last unable
through illness to pay her rent, her landlord
threatened to distress her for it. She knew
not to whom to look for help except wealthy
uncle who resided many. miles of, and she
concIudsd'toHo 70 him and ask bis assistance.
Setting of on foot early one morning with
her babe IN her arms, she walked along the
weary road with heart heavily laden, and
bowed down BY sorrow. The road led her
Asss through another village, then along
valley BY the side Of lake. Passing these
she ascended mountain, then went down in
to deep narrow glen, in which was . rush.
ing torrent Next she passed through mar
row gorge between two mountains, which al
lowed only small strip Of sky to be seen O.
vsrhead. All these passed, she held on
her course for ten miles further, till she came
to bleak moor ). when suddenly the sky be-
came black and lowering, the wind rose and q
storm Of snow burst upon her. Weary, cold,
and almost blinded BY the falling snow, che
wandered on till she could hold out no long.
Or, and creeping into sheltered nook form
ed BY the rocks she pressed her crying babe
close to her bosom. Hour after hour passed
and still The storm continued, and it became
bitterly cold. Night approached, and bet
heart became sick with fear and anxiety for
her babe; for it was but scantily clad, and
her own clothing was unfit for such storm
But she wrapped her shawl around it, and
laying il in crevicc in the rock, she started
of to seek for help. Poor creature! she
walked till she could walk no longer, and
sank on the snow. There alone, with nc
friendly hand to aid her. she persisted! Tne
mex. morning she WAS found quite dead. In
quiry was made, and it was said she had he'
baby with her. Dilligent search was ther
made, and The child was found. alive in the
rlaee where ito poor mother had laid it. The
child WAS taken to the nearest cottage, and
warmed, and fed, and taken care Of, bu,
when the body Of ;ts mother Was brought tt
the same place, It WAS found that she was sc
shinlv clad that it was no wonder she soor
persisted from the cold, for she had not only
wrapped the babe in her thick plaid shawl
but had taken of other parts Of her own clio
thing to cover it with.
And this IL another instance Of mother
love. What 10 there mother will not do Il
save the lie Of her babe? Even her owl
life she will venture that she may it save.
hope you, my young readers, will thinl
Of your own. mothers, and ever love them =
for though they may not have had to suffe
for you what this poor widow did, yet the!
have done more for you than you know o
ever will know. For your sakes, whom you
we're helpless infants, your mothers had I
deny themselves Of many comforts, and pu
themselves to great trouble, both day AM
night. AID many an hour Of anxiety ant
grief have they passed on your account. En-
deavor to show them, by your loving conduc
that you prize their love to you; and re
member that the first com mandment whic
has q promise attached to lie, "Honor tn
father aad mother, that thy days may b
long in tho land which the Lord thy Go
siveth thee" Want Of affection for parent
is one Of sha greatest sins you can commit. :
The Jews held it in such adherence thu
they stoned to death those rude children wh
we're di.obedisnt TO their parents.
And should not this little tale of moth
ers love remind every one Of you Of Hill
Who loved us % much, that he came fro'
heaven to lay down his life for 10. The lov
Of Jesus, but that only, exceeds mother
love. The love Of that mother WAS nstur'
love. but the love of Jesus Christ was divin
love. His love for rs was far beyond wha
men or angels had ever heard Of See biz
bleeding and dying on the cross, and bshol
how b. loved us.