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from year to year, working on the farm by the day, at a very scanty allowance. Old Douglas in a few years grew incapable of any work, through frailty of person, being constantly confined to bed, though in mind as energerie and mysterious as ever. Jane wrought long, till at length a severe illness in 1825 rendered her unfit to do any thing further than occassionally knit a piece of a stocking; and poor Tibby's handiwork had all three to maintain. They had brought her with care and kindness amid the most pinching poverty, and now, indeed, her filial affection was hardly put to the proof; but it was genuine and knew no bounds. Night and day did she toil for the sustenance of her aged and feeble relations and a murmar or complaint never was heard to drop from her lips. Many a blessing was bestowed on her as they raised their palsied heals to partake of her hard earned pittance; and many a fervent prayer was poured out, when one heard but the father of the spirits of all flesh.
Times grew harder and harder. Thousands yet living remember what a time that was for the poor, while the meal for seasons was from four to five shillings a stone ,and even sometimes as high as seven. Tibby grew fairly incapable of supporting herself and her aged friends. She stinted herself for their sakes, and that made her
