The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-04-18
A QUICK wITTED SCOTCH WOMAN.

We read once COOL story Of Catholic
boy, who questioned the priest about the or
der. Of confession, and learning that the
highest prelates in the church confessed
their sins directly to God. concluded that
be would confess 10 Gnd also. The follow.
ing story shows tie folly of prayer TO the
Virgin Mary, when one has the privilege Of
praserio God himself. with humble faith:
Before the Reformation in Scotland a
good old gentlewoman. who had seen better
days, was reduced 10 the necessity Of taking
a small mocrlsnd farm under the Earl Of
Huntley. ancestor Of the Duke Of Gordon.
On this barren spot, the poor widow and her
two sons, by their unu carried industry, con-
triyed 10 gleJuu scanty subsistence. But,
miserable as this dependence was. they were
likely soon TO be deprived Of il By the prac-
tees Of a greedy. ruthless land.sicward, or
factor. as he is denominated in Scotland.
This unleel,ng scoundrel strained every
nerve to dispossess the widow and her Or.
phsn children. and adopted an infallibe
method TO obtain his diabolical object, viz:
raising the rent almost beyond their means
Of paying.
In this emergency, she applied to several
persons. WIN we're said TO possess the favor
Of the Earl; but all in vain. Seeing ruin
inevitable. she summoned mp resolution to
wal. on his hardship himself. The Earl,
who was a man Of biua, open, end gener.
nus disposition. received her with great
kindness, and. after some conversation,
found her 10 be person of superior sense
and wnr,h, and expressed much surprise that
the poorest Of his cot.farms should be occa.
pied by one Who had most obviously moved
in higher sphere.
"But," quoih the worthy nnbleman. "ynu
must dine with me and my family to-day |
must let them see Of what sicker stuH, at
least one of my tenanfs is made"
The astoundcd widow was very reluctant
10 accept the invitation but the Earl would
not be denied. She had the gpnd fortune 10
make herself equally acceptable TO the
Countess and all the family. After dinner,
she was shown over the castle. and finally
was conducted into the chapel. where there
was no lack Of images. But ieariuIiy scan
dalized were the feelings Of the good woman.
when. coming in front Of the Virgin Mary,
she saw her noble hostess and her children
sink down before II. as il sigma had been
given for their immediate prostration. When
they had ended their dcvotions. they were
equally asfonished at the unbenling posture
and horriiied looks of their heretical guest.
The Earl, who hsd been absent. now made
his appearance. Seeing how matters stood,
he asked her how she could be so neglected.
Of her duty 10 the Holy Virgin.
Where could she lind such an ell. l.sufi.
cient intercessOr far sinful creatures ne The
blessed mother Of our Lord 1"
"please your honors." qunih She, allow
me 10 answer ye in namely way. but by
your fasors, no sac far. | reckon, lrae the
soobject in han. Ye weel ken, ma Lord,
that hae sma' farm under yere lordship
aud for some years hard hae We strisen, nv
iva callanis and mysel. 70 max the iva ends
meet. Few as our comforts hae been, they
hae been seasoned wi content. uhilk is a
pleasant. though uncommon prap in the cup
of po,erty; but ajax. moo we're aboet 10 be
turned DOT Of house. and BY a factor, who
shuts his ear to the widows cry. ! too hac
made supplieation TO in,ercessurs Of weel
kent power and favor vi your honorable
hardship. hae applied TO hiie Sandy Cor.
don. and got neither solaCe nor satisfaction
FRA him. In short as proved vanity and
yexalinn o. speerit. Before and ms BARNS
20 forth. the sport of the winds Of heaven,
moo do wha, suld hac dane az The out.
sct--I appl. fur remedy TO the great Gordon
hmssIF'
This mos. iudicious aud touching appeal
produced an electrical elect on The noble