mere bundle of clothing, but which, on closer inspection, proved to be
the rigid form of a little old woman, poorly clad and quite insensible.
It was only the work of a few minutes for the stalwart shepherd to lift
her into his arms as gently and tenderly as though she had been an
infant, and to carry her away to his warm and sheltered cottage, where
his kindly wife had everything in readiness for the succour of the
half-frozen old woman.

But long hours passed ere complete consciousness returned, and the poor
wayfarer was able to tell her simple story. She was an Englishwoman from
Liverpool--a widow with one only son, the dearest and best of sons. He
was a soldier stationed at Fort George, but he had been ordered out to
India, and she had felt that she could not let him go without once more
looking on the dear face. Accordingly she had gathered together all her
available means and had reached Glasgow by train. But in that city her
difficulties began, her money was all spent, but the mother's love still
burned brightly in her heart. She resolved to proceed on foot, and had
actually accomplished her design so far, when, being overtaken by the
sudden snowstorm, and having wandered from the road, she would certainly
have perished but for the sagacity of the shepherd's dog.

How great was the delight of the poor old woman we may easily imagine,
when she was told that she was actually within three miles of Fort
George, and when the shepherd promised to go there in the morning and
beg leave for her son to visit her at the cottage. But, alas! when
morning dawned it became very evident that her strength had been too
severely taxed; she was quite prostrate, and only half conscious of her
surroundings. In these circumstances her kind host lost no time in
starting on his humane errand, and, in the afternoon, mother and son met
once more, but for the last time. The old woman had barely strength to
whisper his name, but the look in her eyes was enough to show that she
had her heart's desire, and that she could die in peace. A few days
afterwards the little old woman was quietly laid to rest in the
churchyard of the Highland village, and the good son was on his way to
the Far East, carrying with him the memory of a mother's love.

THE SENSIBLE HARE.

A Fable.

Once upon a time, the beasts in a certain wood built a theatre in which
plays were to be performed by the cleverest of the animals, for the
amusement and instruct