, 1864-04-30
Brutality Justly Punished.

about 10 relate, the little cottage to which
we here allude was inhabited by widow
named RdGel, and an only child, son, Of
about thirteen years of age.
Mrs, Riddles husband, who owas now dead
several years, was poor but most industri-
Gus and pious man, who wrought at such
country work as the neighborhOod afforded.
His gains were, il will readily be believed,
but moderate; yet frugal, abstemious, and
exceedingly temperate life enabled him to
purchase the cottage he inhabited, with the
garden attached to it; aud, in time, to add
to these possessions a COW, But, beyond
this, the poor but worthy man was not per-
mitted TO increase his store. Death cut
short his days, and left the widow aud her
son to reap the benefit Of his prudence and
industry; and no small matterwas this found
when there was none other to assist them.
The COW, ;he cottage, and the garden were
to them great riches. And thankful to her
God was the widow for the mercics He had
bestowed on her; not the least Of which
was the happiness she found in her boy, who
was to her all that she could wish. james
was, indeed, such son as 4 mother might
well be proud Of lie was mild, dutiiul,
yet bold and active, aud gave promise of
being more than usually handsome. He
loved his mother with the most sincere and
devoted affection, and, though only in his
thirteenth year, earned nearly the wages Of
a full-grown man and if any one had seen
the delight and exultation EXPRESSED in. his
eye, as he poured his weekly wages into his
mothers lap, they would have felt assured
that thesewere the happicst moments Of his
life.
Thus, what with the little property she
possessed, ard the earnings Of her son,
Widow R.ldels lonely cottage presented as
pleasing picture Of comfort, in an humble
way, as might anywhere be seen; nor could
two happier beings be found within the
county-wc might extend II to the Kingdom
than the worthy widow aud her son. But
inscrutable are the ways Of Providence
dark and inscrutablc, indeed, since they per-
mitted allthis humble happiness tobebiight-
cd in an instant, aud ruin and desolatiOn to
oyertake its unofending possessors.
1t was on fne summer afternoon, in the
year LAG, about two months after the battle
Of Culloden, that Widow Riddel, as she sat
knitting stockings on the little rustic seat
in the garden, which her son had made for
her accommodation, and while the former
was busily employed beside her in putting
some seeds into the ground, happening to
look down into the little strath or valley
that lay almost Immediately before the cot
tage, saw what was to her very unusual
and alarming sight This was party Of
Dragons. She had heard much Of the cru
cities and atrocities that had been perpe-
trated by tho government troops on the
persons and property Of the insurgents,
whose hopes had been laid prostrate at Gull
loden; and she was not Ignorant Of the
military dcspot:smwhich generally prevailed
oyer the kingdom in consequence Of that
victory. But she had yet to learn, and the
lesson was now to be taught her by fearful
experience, how indiseriminating was the
vengeance Of the ruthless aud sanguinary
rufiians to whom the power Of infiicting
chastisement had been intrusted.
On observing the soldiers, Widow Riddcl
Immediately called her sons attention to
them, and wondered where they could be
going to. This was soon made plain enough.
In moment after she exclaimed
Mercy on Us, jamie! they're comm
here! What in a the earth can they be
wantinw ,,'i....s-.5 4,
Next minute, The dragons were in front
Of the cottage; when one Of them dismount-
ed, and advancing towards the widow, in
quired II there were any rebels skulkins
thereabuuts.
"0h no, sir, no." replied the terrified
woman; there's naebody o that kind in
this quarter, assure you"
Z" Well, well, so much the better, good
woman, for both You and them; but, say,
we're starving Of hunger, old girl; can yc
let's have something to eat " ~
Blithcly, sir, blithely," rcjoined poor
Mrs. Riddel, delighted to find matters tax
ing so amieable turn. II hacna muekle
sirs, but ye're welcome to what Ihae.p Aud
she hustled into the cottage, and, with the
assistance Of her son, brought out aquantity
Of oaten cakes, cheese, and sweet milk, OF
which the soldiers made hearty meal.
Now, after this kindness Of the widows
or even without il, into whose head or hear
but that Of an. incarnate 6end, or monstel
in human shape, could il have entered to d.
her mischief? Yet such a wretch Wal