Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-07-31

yes, Deacon Bancroft, do, but am very
much afraid you will think very strange of it
at least of what have to say to you'
The Deacon very politely promised not to be
surprised, although at the same time his curios-
ity was yisiby excited.
Suppose, said the widow, casting down her
| eyes-'mind, am only supposing the case
suppose person should find a pot of gold pieces
in their cellar, would the law have right to
touch it, or would it belong to them
The deacon prickcd up his ears
~ pot gold pieces, widow? Whv unuucs-
tionably, the law would have nothing to do with
it,
'Anl the one who formerly owned the house,
couldn't come forward and claim it, could he,
deacon inquired the widow, further, with ap-
parent anxiety
no, madam, certainly not-whcn the house
was disposed Of everything went with it, as a
matter of course
Il am glad to hear it, deacon. You won't
think strange of the question, but it happened
to occur tony mind, and thought would like
to have it satisfied
Certainly widow, certainly said the deacon,
abstractcdy
And deacon, as you are here, hope you'll
stop to dinner with us. 1t will be ready pune
tually at twelve
well no. said the deacon, I'm oblccged to
ye but they'll he expecting me home
AT any rate, deacon said the widow, taking
stcaming mincc pie from the oven. YOU won't
object to taking piece of my mince pie ; you
must know that rather pride myself on my
mincc pies.
The warm pie sent forth such delicious odor,
that the deacon was SOrely tempted, and after
saying. well really. with the intention of re-
fuSing he finished by saying 'On the whole,
guess | will rs il looks so nicn'
The widow was really good cook, and the
deacon ate with much gusto the generous slice
the widow cut for him and after little more
chatting upon important subjects, withdrew in
some mental perplcxity.
Was it possible thought he, that the widow
could really have found pot of gold in her eel
lar? She did not say so, to be sure, but why
should she show so much anxiety to know as to
the proprietorship of treasure thus found. if she
had not happened upon some p To be sure so
far as his knowledge extended there was no one
who occupied the house who would be in the
least likely to lay up such an amount of gold
but the house was one hundred and fifty wears
old, at the very least, and undoubtedly had many
occupants of which he knew nothing. 1t might
be, after all. The widows earnest desire to have
him think it was only curiosity, likewise gave
additional probability to the supposition.
Il will wait and watch thought the deacon
1t so happened that Deacon Bancroft was one
of the directors in a Savings Institution. situ-
ated in the next town, and accordingly used to
ride over there once or twice month to attend
meetings of the Board.
On the next occasion of this kind, widow
Wells sent over to know if he could carry her
over with him, she had a little business TO at
tend to there.
The request was readily accorded Arrived
in town, Mrs Wells requested to be set down
at the bank.
'Ha, har thought the deacon; that means
something
He said nothing, however, but determined to
come back, and find out, as he could readily
from the cashier, what business she had with
the bank.
The widow tripped into the office, looking
very nonchalant.
Can you give me small bills for a five dollar
gold piece she inquired.
with pleasure was the reply
by the way said she, the bank is in quite
fourshing condition is it not?
None in the State on better footing was
the prompt response.
You receive deposits, do YOU not p
Yes, Madam, we are receiving them every
day.
DO you receive as high as-as five thousand
dollarsr
No. said the cashier, with some surprise;
'or rather we do not allow interest on so large
sum- One thousand dollars is our limit. Did
you know of any one who
1T is of no consequence said the widow hur-
riedlyi L only asked for curiosity. BY the way
did you say how much interest you SLOWED on
such deposits as come within your limit 7?
'fIve per cent, madam
Thank you, | only asked for curiosity What
a beautiful morning it isr
And the widow tripped lightly out. Shortly
afterwards the deacon entered
flows business now, Mr.. Cashier? ?? he ask
ed
About as usual
Had any new deposits lately?
None of any magnitude
Il brought over lady this morning who
seemed to have business with YOU
The Widow Wells?'
Yes
she has money left her lately %
None that know Of said the deacon, prick
ing up his ears. why, did she deposit any p
NOS but she inquired whether we received
deposits as high as five thousand dollars
Indeed" calculated the deacon. WAS that
all she came for p he inquired moment after
wards.
No; she exchanged a gold piece for some
bills
'Ilap pondered the Deacon relectvely, did
she give any reason for inquiring"
NO, she said she only asked from curiosity
The deacon left the bank in deep thought
lie came to the conclusion that this curiosity
only yelled deeper motive. Heno longer en-
tertained doubt that the widow had actually
found pot of gold in her cellar, and appear
ances seemed to indicate that its probable val
ne was equal to five Thousand dollars. The gold
piece which she had exchanged at the bank APP
peared to confirm this story
i rather think said the deacon complacent-
ly, i can see into milestone about as far as
most peope,'-a statement, the literal truth of
which defy any one to question, though as to
the prime fact of peoples being able to see in
to milestone at all, doubts have now and then
intruded themselves upon my mind.
Next Sunday the Widow Wells appeared at
church in new and stylish bonnet, which led
to some such remarks as these
How much vanity some people have, to be
sure ?
How woman that has to keep boarders for
living, can afford to dash out with such bon
net is more than l can tell should think she