lic. There are the Bible and the
Catechism, and some poems which they who understand them say are very
grand and beautiful; and there are a few translations of religious
books, such as "The Pilgrim's Progress," and some of the works of such
writers as Flavel and Baxter. But though there are not many, they are
of a kind which, read often and earnestly, cannot fail to bring wisdom;
and a grave and thoughtful people were they who made their homes in this
wilderness.

Among those who were most earnest in overcoming the difficulties which
at every step meet the settler in a new country were two brothers, Angus
and Evan MacIvor. Their farms lay next to each other. They were
fortunate in securing good land, and they were moderately successful in
clearing and cultivating it. They lived to a good old age, and the
youngest son of each succeeded him in the possession of the land. It is
about the families of these two sons that my story is to be told.

The two cousins bore the same name, Angus MacIvor; but they were not at
all alike either in appearance or character. The one was fair, with
light hair and bright blue eyes; and because of this he was called Angus
Bhan, or Angus the fair, to distinguish him from his cousin, who was
very dark. He had a frank, open face and kind manner; and if anyone in
the neighbourhood wanted a favour done, his first thought was sure to be
of Angus Bhan.

His cousin Angus Dhu, or Angus the black, had a good reputation among
people in general. He was honest and upright in his dealings, his word
could be relied on; but his temper was uncertain, and his neighbours
called him "close," and few of them would have thought of looking to
Angus Dhu when they wanted a helping hand.

When these two began life they were very much in the same circumstances.
Their farms were alike as to the quality of the soil and as to the
number of acres cleared and under cultivation. They were both free from
debt, both strong men accustomed to farm-work, and both, in the opinion
of their neighbours, had a fair chance of becoming rich, according to
the idea of wealth entertained by these people.

But when twenty years had passed away the affairs of the two men stood
very differently. Angus Dhu had more than realised the expectations of
his neighbours. He was rich--richer even than his neighbours supposed.
More than half of his farm of two hundred acres was cleared and under
cultivation. It was well stocked, well