The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-27


proved by that circumstance. Lost tn
spoons were, beyond doubt, and the Wild
cw babe fair to loose her senses.
The rich relation came at the appoints
time, and had such tea that he vowed nev
er again to trust himself in the house of hi
entertainer. But the search went on rabbi
holes were looked into for the missing silver
and active boys were bribed to turn out mag
pies nests. Wells and barns in the neigh
borhood were explored The criers of tn
nearest parishes were employed to proclaim
the loss it was regularly advertised at kirk
gate and market-places t; and Mrs. Simpson
began to talk Of getting search warrant 70
the beggars' meal pouch. Bathgate wa
alarmed through all its borders concernin,
tn, spoons but when almost month wor
away, and nothing could be heard concern
ing the spoons, the widows suspicion turned
from beggars, barns, and magpies, to ligh
on p or Nancy. She had bOen securing th'
spoons, and left the house last silver coult
not leave the table without hands. 1t wa.
true that Nancy had always borne an un
questioned character, but such spoons were
not to be met with every day, and Mrs
Simpson was determined to have them back
in her stocking. After sundry hints tc
Robin, who could not help thinking that his
mother was loosing her judgment, she one
day pumped the charge, to the utter aston.
ishment of the poor grl, whose anxiety in
the search had been inferior only to he,
own. Though poor and an orphan, Nancy
lad some honest pride she Immediately
turned out the whole contents of her kist
(box } unstrung her pocket in Mrs Simp-
sons presence and then ran with tears in
her eyes to tell the minister.
AS was common then in the country par
ishes Of Scotland, difficulties and disputes
which might have employed the writer's ard
puzzled the magistrates were referred to his
and thus lawsuits and scandal
The minister had heard--as who
in Bathgate had not,--of Mrs. Simpsons
loss. Like the rest Of the parish, he thought
It very strange but Nancy Camp bell was one
Of the most exemplary girls in his congre-
yation--he could not believe that the charge
preferred against her was true; yet the pc
ofthe case demanded Investigation.
With some difficulty the minister persuaded
Nancy to return to her mistress, bearing a
to the effect that he and two of his
elders who happened to reside in the neigh
would come over on the following
evening, hear what could be said on both
sides, and if possible clear up the mystery.
fyr0,.eJU~s
er and his elders coming to inquire after the
spoons. She put on her best cap, prepared
ler best speeches, aud enlisted some Of the
most serious and reliable of her neighbors
to assist in the investigations.
Early in the evening of the following day
when the summer day was wearing low
md the field work was over-they were as
sembled in the clean secured kitchen. The
elders, and neighbors soberly lis
tening to Mrs. Simpsons testimony touching
her lost silver. Nancy, Robin, and the farm
men sitting by till their turn came when
The door, which had been left open to admit
the breeze--for the evening was sultry-was
quietly pushed aside, and in slid Geordv,
with his usual accompaIimcnts of staff and
wallet.
"There's nae room for We here, Geordy,"
said she "were on weighty business"
"Weel, men," said Geordy, turning to
depart, SITS o nae consequences. only
came to speak about your spoons"
"Hae We heard O. them ?" cried Mrs. Simp-
son, bouncing from her seat.
81 could ma miss bein' blessed wi the pre-
cous gift O. hearin' and what's better, l
saw them."
"Saw them, Geordy Whaur are they
and here's whole shilin' for We and Mrs.
Simpsons purse, or rathera glove used for
that purpose, was instantly produced.
"Weel." said Geordy. 81 slipped in one
day, and seein' the silver unssarded, I
thought some i'll guided body might covet
it, and jist laid it by, may say, amang the
the leaves O. that Bible, thinkin' you would
be sure to see the spoons when you went
to read"
Before Geordy had finished his revelation,
Nancy Campbell had brought down the
proudly displayed. but never opened Bible,
and interspersed between its leaves lay the
dozen lony-sou.ht spoons.
The minister of Bathgate could scarcely
commond his gravity while adnonishing
Geordy on the trouble and vexation his trick
had caused. The assembled neighbors laugh
ed outright when the daft man, pocketine
the widows shilling. which he had clutched
in the early part of the discourse, assured
them all, that he kenned Mrs. Simpson read
her Bible so often, that the spoons would be
certain to turn out Of it. Geordy got many
basin of broth and luncheon Of bread ant
cheese on account of that transaction, with
which he amused all the firesides Of tht
parish. Mrs. Simpson was struck dumf
even from scoldng. The discovery put ar
end to her ostentatious professions, and i
may be hoped turned her attention moro t.
practice By way ofmaking amends for he
unjust imputations on Nancy Campbell, sh'
consented to receive her as 4 daughter.in
law within the same year and it is sai'
ttoro ,r.s rnace ever afterwards in the farm