Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-12

Ing, scolding, and searching. Robin, Nancy,
and the farm men were despatched in differ
ent directions, as soon as the rain abated, to
advcrtize the neighbors, under the supposition
that some strollng beggar or gypsy might have
carried off the treasure, and would attempt to
dispose of it in the parish. Nobody thought
of Geordy Wilson; he had not been spied
from the hay-field his circuits were wide !;
his visits to any house were not frequent; and
if he eschewed Widow Simpsons from the
day Of her loss, 1t was believed GeOrdy knew
that neither her temper nor her liberality
would be improved by that circumstance.
Lost tho spoons were, beyond doubt, and
the widow bade fair to lose her senses. The
rich relation came at his appointed time, and
had such tea, that he avowed never again to
trust himself in the house of his entertainer.
But the search went on; rabbits holes were
looked into for the missing silver, and active
boys were bribed to turn out magpies' nests.
Wells ard barns in the neighborhood were ex-
plored. The criers of the three nearest par
ishes were employed to proclaim the loss; !;
it was regularly advertised at kirk gate and
market place and Mrs. Simpson began to talk
OF getting search-warrant for the beggar's
mcal-pouch. Bathgat was alarmed through
all Its borders concerning the spoons but
when AIN ost a month wore away, and nothing
could be heard of them, the widows suspici-
ons turned from beggars, barns, and magpies,
to light on pour Nancy. She had been scour-
ing the spoons and left the house last !; silver
could not leave the table without hands. 1t
was true that Nancy had always borne
unquestioned character but such spoons were
not to be met with every day, and Mrs. Simp-
son was determined to have them back in her
stocking. After sundry hints of increasing
breadth to Robin,who could not help thinking
his mother was losing her judgment, she, one
day pumped the charge, to the utter astonish-
m n ism nf ir1x phnsn
iety in tie search had been inferior only to
her own. Though poor and an orphan, Nancy
had some honest pride she Immediately turn
ed out the whole contents of her kist, (box)
unstrung her pocket in Mrs. Simpsons pres.
ence, and ran with tears in her eyes to tell the
minister.
As was then common In the country parish
es Of Scotland, difficulties and disputes which
might have employed the writer's and puzzled
the magistrates were referred to his arbitra-
ton, and thus lawsuits or scandal prevented.
The minister had heard, as who in Bathgate
had not Z of Mrs. Simpsons loss. Like the
rest Of the parish he thought it rather strange;
Gus and exemplary girls in his congregation
he could not believe that the charge preferred
against her was true; yet the peculiarities Of
the case demanded investigation. With some
the minister persuaded Nancy to
return to her mistress, bearing a message to
the effect that he, and two other of his elders
who happened to reside in the neighborhood,
would come over in the following evening,
hear what could be said on both sides, and, if
possible, clear up the mystery. The widow
was well pleased at the minister and his elders
coming to inquire after her spoons. She put
On her best mufch-that is to say, cap-pre-
pared her best speeches, and enlisted some OF
the most serious and reliable of her neighbors
10 assist in the investigation.
L., 81. ell
when the summer sun was wearing low and
the feld-work was over-they were all as
sembled in the clean-scoured kitchen, the
elders, and ncighbors, soberly listen |
Ing to Mrs. Simpsons testimony touching her
lost silver, Nancy, Robin, and farm-men sit
ing by till their turn came when the door,
which had been left haf-open to admit the |
the evening was sultry-was quiet
y pushed aside, and in slid Geordy Wilson,
With his usual accompaninents of staff and |
valet.
"There's nae room for We here, GeOrdy," |
aid the widow sswe're on weighty business"
.Weel, mem,' said Geordy, turning to de-
'art, 'sit's of nae consequence. l only came |
0 speak about your spoons"
'sHae ye heard o'them I' cried Mrs. Simp- |
on, bouncing from her seat
81 couldna miss, been' blessed VII the pre-
ious gift o'hearin; and, what's better, saw |
hem," said Geordy.
"Saw them, Geordy Whar are they 2 and |
ere's whole shillin' for ye 30 and Mrs. Simp- |
on's purse, or rather an old glove used for
hat purpose, was instantly produced.
"Weel," said Geordy, II slipped in ae day,
nd seein' the siller unguarded, L thought |
ONE ill-guded body might covet it. and jist
aid it by, may say, among the leaves o. that |
Bible, thDkin' you would be sure to see the |
poons when you went to read"
Before Geordy had finished his revelation, |
Nancy Campbell had brought down the proud
y displayed, but opened Bible, and in
erspersed between its leaves lay the dozen of
spoons.
The minister Of Bathgate could scarcely |
ommand his gravity while admonishing |
Ieordy on the trouble and ve1aton his trick |
lad caused. The assembled neighbors laugh |
d outright when the DAFT man, pocketing the |
ridow's shilling, which he had clutched In |
he early part of his discourse, assured them |
Ill that he kenned Mrs. Simpson read her |
bible often the spoons would be certain to |
urn up. Geordy got many basin Of broth |
nd many luncheon of bread and cheese on |
lused all tho iresides of the parish. Mrs. |
,impson was struck dumb even from scolding. |
he discovery put an end to her ostentatiOus |
rofessions, and, it may be hoped, turned her |
ttention more to practice. By way of making |
mends for her unjust imputations on Nancy !
;ampbell, she consented to receive her as
anghter-in-law within the same year; and it
said there was peace ever after in the farm |
ouse but the good people of Bathgate, when |
iscussing character OF more pretence than
still refer to Widow simpsons |
poons.
A st. Louis paper states that total OF eigh- |
= thousand buffalo rabes, tanned by squaws,
are been received from different Indian trlnes |