Year: 1862

love to turn aside occasionally from the
gayer and perhaps more attractive phrases
of human life, and, wandering forth into the
great hooks or corners, and listen to The mar
ration of one of those ''short and simple an
nails of the poor of which every land is the
scene, and which every hour brings forth !;
'' short and simple" indeed, and yet often re-
plete with the record of noble suffering and
endurance for which we might look in vain
in the higher walks of life.


Chance, more than inclination, several
years since led me to make brief visit to the
sea-cost of Scotland, in the vicinity of the
Solway. What an appearance the face of
the country now presents am not informed,
but at the time of which I speak, the few
leagues over which I passed comprised a
black and barran plain, sheltered hardly
from the keen and piercing winds which
swept inland from the sea, and, more than
this, singularly dreary and uninhabited.


The ragged line of the coast, projecting its
rocky masses far out into the sea, spoke of a
dangerous and inhospitable shore while
the wide berth given it by the few vessels
which were visible on that particular morn
ing to which 1 now refer, seemed to speak
of the mariner knowledge of the fact.


During all my rambles in this unpromis-
q ing neighborhood, discovered but one hu-
man habitatiOn upon this lonely plain. It
was low humble cottage, situated some dis
tance back from the coast, and further still
from the nearest village. had passed it sew
eral times in my loiterings, scanned its exteri-
or more closely at each successive view, until
at length, really anxious to ascertain what
manner of persons occupied this desolate
place, made tri1ing errand to serve the
purpose of satisfying my curiosity. The inte-
rio nffh fhn fforr al
pearance, and its inmates were hardly diff
have surmised. Every thing within bore
the marks of tidy and skilfull housewifery
and cheerful look of home comfort, which
redeemed the place from its loneliness. The
master of the habitation, frank sailor like
man was repairing nets in one corner his
wife ayOuthfuland interesting woman, whose
face bore traces Offormer beauty, as we'll as
of sorrow and trouble, received me at the door
and invited me to enter, while the three
small children playing about the floor, COM
pleted the household.


Such was the scene presented by the inte-
rior of the cottage and after conversing
for half an hour with the fisherman and his
wife, who seemed much gratified by the pres.
ence of a stranger beneath their roof-which
considering the locality, rightly supposed
to be matter of rare eoccurence-I had risen
to take my leave, when mere accident re-
strained me. The chance opening of a door,
opposite to that by which / had entered af.
forded me view Of the yard, enclosed by
loosely laid wall. Near the door was a grave.
apparently by its length that of full grown
person, neatly sodded, although unmarked
by a stone. Why it was, or whence came the
conviction, Iknow not but felt, as soon
as my eyes rested upon the grave, that it
was not without its story. 1t was easy enough,
certainly, for one to sicken and die, and be
inferred in this lonely place; but persuaded
myself that this was not all. Death, 1
thought in spot like this, must have been
invested with circumstances, which must
render the narrative one of interest


Although my wish was formed on the in
stant,the cordialityand friendly respect which
had accompanied my reception possessed me
with delicacy in regard to the inquiry
which hesitated on my lips, which might
not be able to overcome; but the action of the
fisherman relieved my embarrassment. He
had seen the direction of my glance, and
must have OWNED my thoughts, for laying
aside his nets, he placed his stool nearer to
me, and said: