Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-12-25

! house may be imagined. The widow
! ran through it like one distracted, ques.
tioning. searching and scolding. Rob.
in, Nancy and the farm-men were des
patched in different directions, as soor
as the rain abated, to advertise the
neighbors. under the superstition thai
some stroling beggar or gipsey might
have carried of the treasure and would
attempt to dispose Of It in the parish
Nobody had thought of Geordy Wilson,
2 he had not been spied from the hay
6eldi his circuits were g.>lr; his visits
TO any house we're not frequent; and II
he eschewed widow Simpsons from the
day of her loss, il was believed Geordy
knew that neither her temper nor her
liberality would be improved by that
Circumstance. Lost spoons they were.
beyond doubt, and the widow bid fair
to lose her senses The rich relation
came at the appointed time. and had
such a lea. that he vowed never to
trust himself again in the house OF his
entertainer. But the search went on!
rabbit holes were looked into for the
missing silver, and active boys were
bribed TO turn out magpies' nests
Wells and barns in the neighborhood
were explored. The criers of the three
nearest parishes were employed to pro-
claim the loss; it was regularly adver-
tised at kirk gate and market place;
and Mrs. Simpson began to talk OF get
ting a search warrant for the bpggar's
meal pouch. BaIhgate was alarmed
through all its borders concerning
the spoons; but when almost a month
wore away, and nothing could be heard
Of them. the widows suspicious turned
from beggars. barns and magpies to
light on poor Nancy. She had been
securing the spoons. and left the mouse
last: silver could not leave the table
without hands. II was true that Nancy
had always borne an unblemished char
acter; but such spoons were not met
with every day. and Mrs. Simpson was
determined to have them back iu her
stocking.
AfIsr sundry hints of increasing
breadth to Robin. who could not help
thinking that his mother was losing her
judgment. she one day plunged the
charge. to the utter amazement and dis
may of the poor girl, whose anxiety in
the search had been inferior only to her
own. Though poor and an orphan,
Nancy had some honest pride; she I'M
mediately turned out the whole con-
tents of her kist. (b"x) unstrung her
pocket in Mrs. Simpsons presence. and
ran, with tears in her eyes, to tell the
minister.
As was then common in the country
parishes Of Scotland. difficulties and dis
putes which might have employed the
writers and puzzled the magistrates
were referred TO his arbitration, and
thus law suits and scandal prevented.
The minister had heard. as who in Bath
gate had not? of Mrs. Simpsons loss.
Like the rest OF the parish. he thought
it very strange; but Nancy Campbell
was one OF the most serious and exem-
plary girls in his cOngregation-he
could not believe that the charge pre-
lerred against her was true; yet the Pc
culiarities of the case demanded inveS-
tigation. With some difficulty the min.
lister persuaded Nancy to return to her
mistress, bearing a message to the eG-
feet that he and two of his elders who
happened to reside in the neighborhood
would come over the following evening
and hear what could be said on both
sides, and if possible, clear up the mys-
terry. The widow was we'll pleased at
the minister and his elders coming to
inquire after her spoons. She put on
her best nau:ch-thst is to say cap
prepared her best speeches. and enlist
ed some OF the most religious Of her
neighbors to assist in the investigation.
Early in the evening Of the following
day-when the summer sun was wear
ing low and the field work was over
they were all assembled in the clean
secured kitchen, the minister, elders
and neighbors. soherly listening to Mrs.
Simpsons testimony touching her lost
silver, Nancy. Robin and the farm men
sitting by ill their turn came, when
the door. which had been left half open
to admit the breeze-for the evening
was sultry-was quietly pu<hed aside,
and in slid Geordy Wilson, with his
usual accompaniments of staff and
wallet.
"There's nae room for you here,
Geordy." said the widow, "we're on
weightv business"
"WelI. men," said Geordy. turning
to depart. ''it's Of nae consequence. l
only came to speak about your spoons -
"Hae ye heard O. them?" cried Mrs
Simpson. bouncing from her seat
81 couldna miss bein' blessed wi the
precious gift O. hearin'; and what's bet
ter | saw them," said Geordy.
"Saw them, Gordey? Whar are
they? and here's a whole shilling for
ye," and Mrs. Simpsons purse, or rath.
er an old glove used for that purpose,
was instantly produced.
"Weel." SAID Geordy. 81 stepped in
one day. and seein' the silver unguard.
ed, thought some i'll guided body
might covet It, and jist laid il by, I may
say. amang the leaves O. that Bible.
thinkin' you would be sure to see the
spoons when you went TO read"
Before Grordy had finished his reve-