Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-12-25
WIDOW SIMPSONS SPOONS.
=
A CAPITAL STORY.

the classic spots of Scotland, inasmuc
as it formed part Of the dowry whic
Robert Bruce bestowed upon his eIdes
daughter Margery. when she marrie'
Walter. the High Steward of Scotland
and thus became the progenitrix of th
royal and unlucky house Of Stuart
Lying midway between Edinburg ant
Glasgow, those rival queens of the Eas
and West, but out Of the common tract
of travel, II has been for ages pastora
parish, of small and rather backward
farms. OF late years coal has beer
found there; and steam and trade
which bid fair to leave the world nc
rustic corner, are rapidly turning it in.
10 a mining district. which nobody
thought of about the time Of the gene
raj peace, when Bathgaie lived on it,
own oats and barley, wore its own hod
den gray, and had two subjects of in
terest-the corn market and the kirE
session.
Among its peaceable and industrious
population there was one dame, who,
though neither the wealthiest nor the
best born, stood in her own esteem,
above all but the laird and the minister;
and her style and title was the Widow
Simpson. This lady valued herself
not on the farm lett her by the good
man who had departed this life some
seven years before the commencement
of our story, for its acres were lew and
they consisted of half reclaimed moor
land-not on her grOwn-up Sun Robin.
although he was counted likely and a
sensible lad-not on her own thrifty
house keeping. though it was known 10
be on the tight screw principle-but on
the possession OF a dozen silver tea.
spoons. Her account Of them was that
they belonged to the Young Chevalier,
and had been bestowed upon fer grand
father in return Tor entertaining that
claimant to the British throae on his
march from Culloden-in proofoI which
she was accustomed TO point out hall
obliterated crest and the initials G s.
with which they were marked. The
widows neighbors, however, had dif-
ferent tale regarding their coming into
the family. II was TO the effect that
her grandfather who kept small inn
somewhere in Fife, had bought them
firm an i'll doing laird for three gallons
of Highland whisky. and bestowed them
on his granddaughter, as the one OF his
family m ost ikolp-lo- -bAlA- Iast to -saoh-
an important acquisition.
In the family resided. in the capacity
of help, one Nancy Campbell. girl
of about nineteen. who was suspected of
having taken fancy TO Robin. who re-
ciprocated the sentiment Nothing,
however, would soften the heart OF the
widow. as regards a match. until at
last the following event occurred, and
caused her to give way. About the
haymaking time, distant and compar-
atively rich relation was expected TO call
and take tea that evening, on his way
from Linlithgow. 1t was not often that
this rich relative honored her house with
visit. and Mrs. Simpson determined
that nothing should be wanting to his
entertainment, brought out the treas
ured spoons early in the forenoon. with
many injunctions to Nancy. touching
the care she should take in Frightening
them up. While this operation was be-
ing conducted 10 the kitchen in the
midst Of one OF those uncertain days
which vary the northern June, sud-
den darkening of the sky announced
the approach Of heavy rain. The hay
was dry and ready for housing. Rob-
in and two men we're busy gathering 1t
in; but the great drops began to fall
while a considerable portion yet re-
manned in the field, and with the in
stinct 6fcrop. preservation, forth rushed
the widow, followed by Nancy. leaving
the spoons half secured on the kitchen
table. In her rapid exit, the girl had
forgotten to latch the door. The wes-
sci and the kite were the only depre-
dators known about the moorland farm;
but while they all occupied the hay
field. who should come that way but
Geordy Wilson.
Well, the kitchen door was open, and
Geordy stepped in He banged the SCI
tie with his staff. he coughed. he
hemmed. he saluted the cat, which sat
purring on the window seat. and al
length discovered that there was nobody
within. Neither meal nor penny was
to be expected that day. the rain was
growing heavier. some Of the hay must
be wet. and Mrs. Simpson would return
in bad humor. But two objects pow.
eriully arrested Geordy's attention: one
was the broth-pot boiling on the fire,
and the silver spoons scattered on the
table. Bending over the former. Geor.
DIV took a considerable sniff, gave the
ingredients a stir with the pot-slick
and mutlered "very thin" His pro-
ceeding with regard to the latte mus
remain unmentioned; but half an hour
after, when he was safely ensconced ir
farm house mile of, the family were
driven within doors by the increasing
storm, they found everything as it had
been left-the broth on the Ere, the cat or
the Vindow-seat, the whiting on the fan,
mel on the table, but not a spoon wa:
there.
"Whar's the spoons?" cried Mrs
Simpson to the entire family. who stood
by the Ere drying their wet garments
Nobody could tell. Nancy had left