Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-07-16
MI 5 G T. LII A N Y.
THE POT OF GOLD.

man In tho main, and looked up TO with
respect by all the inhabitants Of ihc village
Of Ccnteryillc, was rumorcd to have, in
Yankee parlanec, "a pretty sharp eye to
tho main chance "a popularity from
which dcacons arc not always exempt.
In worldly matters he was exceedingly
well 90 DO, having inherited dno farm from
his ia,her, which was growing every year
more valuable. II might be supposed that
under these circumstances, the deacon
who was fully abl1 to do ~, would have
found a help meet to share his house and
name. But the deacon was wary. Matr.
mony was to him in some measure a matter
Of money, and Il wa. his firm resolve no, to
marry uulc.. he could thereby enhance hi-
worldly prosperity. Unhappily. the little
village Of CenteriIlr and the towns adjrin.
ing, contained few who were qualified
in this importan, particular, and Of those
who were, probably none with whom the
dcacon's suit would have prosporcd.
50 it happened that year after year pass.
ci away. until Deacon Bancroft was in the
prime OF lifc-lorty.G,e or thcrcaboup-
and ,till unmarried, and in all human pos.
sib,Iiiy likely 10 remain 80.
Deacon Bancroii's nearest ncishbor was
a widow.
The Widow Wells. who had passed
through one matrimonial experience, was
somo three or iour years younger than Dea-
con Bancroft. She was still comcly wo.
man. Unfortunately the late Mr.. Wells
had no, BEEN able to leave her sufficient to
make her Independent, Of the world. All
that shs possessed was tho small old fashion
ed house in which she lived, anl a small
amount Of money, which was insufficient
q support her and littlc son Of seven years
though hardly 20 bo elassci as productive
Of anything bat mischief
The widow was therefore obliged to take
,hrcc Or tour bolrler., to exc out a sclns
income, which OF course imposed upon her
considerable lobor and anxiety.
l. surprising that under these circum.
stances she should now and then have be-
thought herself Of - second marriage, rs a
method OF bet,crios her condition? Or
again, need We esteem il special wonder
IT. in her reflections upon this point, she
should have east her eyes upon her neigh
bor, Deacon B,ncr,fIl Tho deacon, as We
have already aid was in H)urishing cir.
cumsiancc.. llo would be able IN main
tain = wife in great comfort; and being
one Of the chic! per'ouascs IN the village
could accord her a proHiucuE social pOsi.
uon.
II, was no. especially handsome, or cal.
eulaicI to make profound impression uP.
on tho female h,art-thl' was ,rue-but
ho wa, ofa good disposition, kind hearted
and would no doub, make very good sort
Of a husband. \ desirable match.
Some ,ag,cious, person, however, has OBJ
served thatIt takes two u make match,
a TACT 70 bo seriously considered lor In the
present case il was exceedingly doubtful
whether the worthy deacon. even IL he
had known the favorable opinion Of hi. next
neishb1r. would have been inclined /, pro-
pose changing her name TO B'ncrofi, unless
indeed, a suitable motive was brought, to
bar upon him. Here was q chance for fines
sing.
one evening after day OF fatisuing Ia.
Dor, the Widow Wells ,at at tho fro in the
sitting room, with her feet resting on the
fender.
"IrI am ever 80 situated as not TO have
20 work - hard" sald she, 4" | shall be
happy. lis hard life keeping boarders.
Ifl were a. we'll oil as Deacon Bancroft"
Still the widow kept up her thinking,
and by and by her lace frightened up.
She had an idea, which she was resolved To
put IN execution at the carl.e-, practicable
moment. What It was the reader will dts
cover in the sequel.
&" Henry" said sho to her son the next
morning. 81 want you to stop at Deacon
Bancroft's as you go along to school, aud
ask II he will call and scc the in the course
Of the moraing oraflernOOn, just as he finds
it most convenient"
Deacon Bancroft was little surprised ut
tho summons. However. at ! | o'clock lac
called in. Tho widow had got on the din
ncr aud had leisure to SIT down. She ap-
pcArcd little embarrassed.
Henry told me you would like to see
me-" ho commenced.
e Ycs deacon Bancroft, do, bat | am
mlch afraid You will think strange ofi.-
a, least, Of wha, may say to you"
The deacon very politely promised not to
be surprised, though at the same time his
curiosity was yisibly excited.
"SupPo,c," said the widow. casting down
her eyes" mind am only suppOsing n
case-suppose person should find a pot
full Of gold pieces in their cellar, would the
law have a right to touch it. or would 1t
belong to them!'
The Deacon pricksd up hi, ears.
"a po, Of gold pieces wldow' Why
uuquestionably, the law would have moth
ing to do with it,"
"And the one who formerly owned the
house couldn', come forward and claim 1t
could he, deacon % inquired the widow fur
thCr with anxiety.
uNo. madam. unouestionably not. When