Year: 1874

room, by saying it was the harvest, and she
could not take time from her work in the
field to clean house. I wondered how she
would set about it, when she did find time.
She told us the house was warm in winter,
and dry, if the thatch were kept in good re.
pair. She knew nothing of her neighbors,
never had any time for running about. Two
bibles lay on the chest of drawers, and they
were evidently for use, and not for ornament.
We parted kindly, the woman pointing out 10
US the roadie that would lead us to Moss
side. 1.-THE Scotch have a curious fashion of
adding ie to their words, as boatie, roadie,
doggie &C., Another halfhour over the
heather-decked hills, and along the green
braes. We were not sangune as 10 the result
Of our search, bat we had our fill of pleasure
In the lovely scenery, and we were breathing
in health with the pure mountain breezes.
Presently, a cluster of cabins came in view.
We began our inquiries at the first. A be-
wildered look and jabber of Gaelic words
was our only return there. We had stumbled
on an old Highland dame who probably could
not speak English. Such persons there are.
At the next cottage, the door stood open and
as no one answered my knock, pushed in
A wild looking woman looked out from an.
inner room. The only answer could get to
a half'doz questions was, Give got nine"
From the fearful squeals that came from a
pig-pen near by, should have supposed she
referred to her porcine possessions, but as
ran against small regiment of dirty cherubs
in the door yard l concluded she had the
spirit of the Roman Cornelia within her, and
was boasting to me of her "jewels."


Her uncanny look did not invite intimacy,
and retired. tried another door and was graf
flied to hear from the young girl who answered
my rap, that had found the right place at
last. She was mistaken, though it was true
enough that the house held mother and an
idiot son, poor fellow of 20 years, helpless
on his bed and there were only the hands of
the poor worn woman, and the young girl to
furnish food for the three. Had they ever
heard of the person L was in search Of?
EYES," and the girl pointed out the house.


Iwalked in, and there sure enough, was
my old woman. She looked up, astonishe
at the coming in Of a stranger, but frightened
as l put out my hand, aud took it, saying,
sob, 1 ken your face"


Here was another OF "Auld Scotia's
homes" but what home The floor was
that laid by the Master Builder, the bare
earth. Overhead, we looked into the thatch
and saw how the winter wind must find its
way through the openings. Two beds, three
chairs, small dresser with few dishes dis
play ed on it, and sorry old table made up
the furniture. Every thing told of poverty
and suffering, but on the table lay the bible
and one or two school books, and in the sun
ny spot by the window stood fine geranium.
Gods promises and Gods flowers could find
place in that dreary spot, which it seemed
Mockery to call a home Perhaps He who
tor our sakes became poor had been an hon
ored guest there.


Never was there sincerer welcome than
we got. We sat long time hearing the
story of that humble life.


She was the mother of seven children, the
Oldest long absent in America. She diyed
into an old chest and brought up prettily
written and affectionate letter from little
granddaughter in that far off land. This
boy had greatly bettered his fortunes by en-
igratng, but it was slow process, emerging
from extreme poverty with family of little
children to condition of comfort. No other
OF her children were able to contribute 10
the support of tie mother, for all had fami-
lies and all had hard work and poor pay to
get on with. The old body told us of an
accident that happened to her al Christmas,
crossing the street of the town near by. She
was knocked down by passing carriage and
stunned and dreadfully bruised. For long
time size was disabled; her head would
"crack, crack" and her bones were sore.
"But wasna it wonderful" she said, that
1 got well in time for the hoeing, and that
could pay my rent" She told us of the
homeIy sympathy of her poor neighbors.
"God help you, puir wife," said one, Come
n to your bed, ye Gamma help the puir lad."
As we came out the door, she pointed
with satisfaction to small pile of brush, and
told us that some trees having been cut
down to make way for a new building, the
poor were permitted 10 carry off on their
hacks the small branches. We took her
sons address. Sand will ye 60 back TO
America moo, and maybe yen see my son."
she said eagerly. Poor soul, her boy is in
Canada; but to her and most of the poor
hereabouts, Canada and California are all
the same. america is to them the land of
promise. They think of it as flowing with
milk and honey, and they do not care for
boundary lines. And who knows but some
day, in some other wanderings, we may
meet tho bon who has crossed the sea, but
has not got beyond his mothers love! As
1 left the house asked for leaf of the
geranium, and in spite of my protest she
would break off large branch, happy, be-
lieve, that she had so much to give me.


Never have 1 seen such hopeless poverty as
has met my sight everywhere in her msjesty's
dominions. 1t is mockery to talk of the bles-
sing of freedom to those who are only free to
starve, and yet where is the remedy? Surely
not in the hands of the ''sweet prince" the
future ruler of this people, who is about in
viting his loyal subjects to pay triiing debt
he has incurred. II is only a matter of
S3,0OO,00O, and who would not contribute to
the necessities of a prince? The poor must
eat fewer potatoes, and ii here and there one
dies OF starvation, there are enough left.
They won't be missed.


Those who watch the signs of the times see
afar of, the "good time coming" but ii is
mourntul to think how many lives must be
crushed out ere the dawniog of that day.


j. e. Z. S.