Year: 1866

hlm on his journey the next morning
notwithstanding the remonstrance oi
his companions.


The little fellow told him his simple
story. His m o h er was poor
widow, who had supported herself
and her only child by sewing. When
he was only six years old he had
shown love for reading, and his
mother worked early and late to keep
him at school. She was but eighteen
years older than her son; and often
would she stop in the middle of her
work, and, laying her hand On her
breast, ask him what he would do
when she was dead =? for her failing
strength told her that the day was
not far distant. Her fingers became
white and small, and she cnnld not
sit up as she used to; but when her
son looked at the deepening red OF
her cheeks, he thought she would not
die. .......


One day when he brought home
the first prize from school, she threw
her arms around him, while with tears
in her eyes she told him the time
would come when his fathers grand
friends, who were ashamed of her be-
cause she was poor, would be proud
to be connected with him.


The mothers faith was strong in
her heart. The lad could not 90 to
school, but staid and watched by her
bedside; and they would have starv.
ed but for poor neighbor woman
who had but little to spare herself.
He read to her every day chapters in
the bible, One day when she was
very i'll, and two of her neighbors had
come to take care Of her, she called
the boy to her bedside, and told him
that when she was dead, he must 90
to Edinburgh, for he had friends no
where else. Her own friends were
there, but they were too poor to dc
much for him; and his ia tn e RS
friends were there, but they were toe
grand to own her. But she told him
not 70 be afraid by the way, for the
good God knew him. And then
after fond parting kiss, and burst
of sorrow, she bade him 90 to school


When he came home he found hel
lying with a white cloth on her face
and the bed all white. The poor boy
cried all night; and now that she was
buried out of his sight he was travel
ling to Edinburgh, as she had tolC
him to do; and folks were kind t.


him just as his mother said they


would be. And he had letters tt


show him the way to his mother,


friends when he reached town, for h'


could read writing.


And God had put into the heart o
Sandy Wright to be kind to the poo
. orphan. He was like father to hir
: through his journey; he shared wit
: him his bed, and carried him on hi
back, when the lad was to tired t
: walk.


On reaching the Qeeen's Ferry
Sandy Wright found that his none
was almost gone, and he intended t
get the boy across without paying til


usual fare. When the boat reache


the middle of the ferry, the gruff lool
ing ferryman began to collect the fal


passing by the passengers one b


one till he stood in front of the bo,


"Dinna stop before the boy" erie
| Sandy Wright; che is a puir orphan
e here is my groat.


? The ferryman still held out his han
/ and Sandy told him that they four
n him in a desolate glen bewildered |
d a storm, and they were taking him
e friends in Edinburgh, and he ougl
t not to grudge him his passage.
d The terryman, without answerin
), took off his cap; but Sandy Wrig
It twisted it out of his hand, telling hi


to take care, they did not know VIII
n would become of themselves or the
st own BARNS. But the ferryman, sa
d ing he would have the fare, or t
!" fares worth, if it were in his jack
y laid hold of the boy, who began


cry. Then rose up Sandy Wrigl
% and seized the ferryman in his DO
e erful grasp, aud told him not to tou
y the puir thing, shame on ye, man
IS and the cry of shame! shame


was echoed by the passengers, a
" the surly ferryman gave up t
u point.


On landing, Sandy Wright told t
er boy that he had some business to
at at the custom house, and some mon
k to get, but he must look into lis |


ters, and see III what street they
m sided.


II The boy united his bundle, conta
!" ing a few shirts and stockings, p
if eel OF papers and small box; a
It. said that his mother charged him
he keep the papers safely, for they t.
he of her marriage; and in that box v
k, her wedding ring. She could, he
of ded, have got money for it when s
lis was sick aod not able to work;
lis she would starve sooner than to p


with it and Il woundna'' like to p'
Ill wi it to any bodie but YOURSELF"
he if ye would take it;" and opening
to box he gave it to the boatman.
he was valuable diamond ring; 9
ss Sandy Wright, returned it, told
an not to part with it to any body,
gh any account. Ac
I'd, They found the direction in one
er the letters, and in a few minutes tt
IN, were walking up Grass market. S
at denly the boy sprang to meet
nd young woman who was passing, ;
in whom he recognized his motht