, 1864-05-07
The Hidden Treasure.


will, as matter of course, be Immediately
set down as a thing wholly unworthy Of
credit; and in such an opinion, We ourselves
agree. Bat we give the story ex-
actly as we found it, and leave it to make
its own impressions. That the lead NJ cir
are true, however, there is no
doubt, whatever niay be thought Of the
particular incident in question.
In remote and sequestered glen in the
North Highlands of Scotland. there lived.
about ninety years ago, widow woman of
the name Of .hacrae. Her husblnd was
killed at the battle of Culloden. and she
was left with two sons, then mere children,
to struggle for subsistence from nliser-
able patch Of land of which her husband
had held Il lease from We believe. Lord Sea-
forth. During the first years of her widow
hood, Isabel Macrae had endured much;
but as her sons grew up, her tolls and pri-
vations gradually became lighter; and. when
they attained the years of manhood. these
tolls and privations may be said to have at
tanned the years Of manhood, these tolls
and pr yations may be said to have ceased
together; for they were dutiful sons to
her, and besides turning the little tract of
land they rented to better account than she
had b3en able to do, they added several
other sources Of income to that yielded by
their farm. and thus amply provided for
heir own wants and their mothers comfort.
The names Of the young men were John
and Rolerck. They were both as hand
some fe lows as the Highlands could boast
If, an | p oud, proud was Their poor mo-
ther Of her stately boys; but she had yet
better reason to be proud Of them than
what their personal appearance afforded.
They loved her with the most tender and
sincere aifection-they t0iled that he might
he at ease, and vicd with each other in con-
ribut ng to her comfort and happiness.
They never spoke to her but in words Of
kinjn ,ss and respect; and no frown. no
harsh word, no expression Of discomfort,
ever marre1 the harmony Of their commu.
nion. Yet another reason the mother had
to be happy in her boys: this was the find
regard they entertained for each other; aud
much did Isabel Macrac delight in the
brotherly love that existed between them.
S aas Iii. i. 80" '"o sns"'ess "pp'o.o"
W f.l'.e. ooe"oe. I.I spnsi on 'ne eon-
md for her, while they were constantly to-
gether, aud appeared to desire no other So
ciety. Their tempers, too, were very nearly
alike; both being mild and gentle and pa
tent.
~ ~ 4 4
Such then, were the Widow Macrae and
her sons, and such were the circumstances
n which they stood at the period OF our
story. Aviillng themselves Of every hon
est means that came within their reach OF
adding to their income, John and Roder.
OK were IN the habit, Ike many others OF
heir country people, Of repairing To the
low country every autumn to work tr hire
n cutting down the harvest, which being
musl earlier III tn ia,ter dis 'r.e.s than IN
the Highlands, they could very easily ac-
complish, and be yet homo IN sum ;ient
time to gather in their own little crops.
'rhess journeys the brothers performed to-
gethe', and on foot; rather avoiding than
seeking the society OF others bound on a
similar mission, as they preferred being
alone. The season having come round, on
the particular occasion to which our story
refers, for their setting out on their annual
expedition Isabel saw her sons q short dis
lance on their way. This was not usual
" n mr.; but she felt in the present in
stance q reluctance to part with them for
which she could not account. Before leav-
ing them, she insisted on tnelr joining hnr
20 prayer although she did not say whit
induced her 70 make the proposal; and they
accord ngly retired to a lone spot, AMI there
oh,red u ? ~ address tothe Deity. Onrlsing
from her knees
"Nav, go, my sons. she said sand God
DC with you! be as kind to each other as
you always have been. BE as upright and
in9hen'ive IN your conduct. and your paths
WI pc Pleasant, and your days long unon
earth. She then embraced them alter.
nately; she expressed hope that they
would return TO their home and to her, 10
sif.ty; .priyed again TO God to bless them;
and bade them 90 their ways. The young
men were not little surprised at their mo-
Tiers unusual conduct Oh this cccision;
but as she did not explain herself, they
torebore making any remarks on the sub
jet. She had always, indeed, parted with
them with uctance, and with many ex-
presslpns OF tenderness and regret; but. in