The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-04-12

EOb IC1NC Stic SuOAC WbS0Vuk hotNo
1t was true that Nancy had always born
an unquestiOned character, but then 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 TO Robin, who could not
help thinking that his mother was losing
her judgment, she one day pumped the
charge, to the utter astOnishment Of the
poor girl, whose anxiety in the search had
been inferior only to her own. Though
poor and an orphan, Nancy had an honest
pride. She Immediately turned out the
whole contents Of her kist (box), unstrung
her pocket in Mrs. Simpsons presence,
and then ran, with tears in her eyes, to
tell the minister.
As was common then in the country
parishes Of Scotland, difficulties and dis
putes which might have employed the
writers and puzzled the magistrates, were
.1ZaS'7=s7 to his arbitration, and thus law
suits and scandal were prevented. The
minister had heard-who in Bathgate had
noty-of Mrs. Simpsons losa Like the
,sss> IS .t!:-2HAsiS!ss he &hssgSt it. 'SSS syNsyy
strange; but Nancy Campbell was one OF
the most exemplary girls in his cOngre-
gation-he could not believe that the
charge preferred against her was true; yet
he peculiarities of the Case demanded in
vesligation. With some difficulty the
minister persuaded Nancy to return to her
mistress, bearing message to the effect
that he and two Of his elders who happen
ed to reside in the neighborhood, would
come over Oh the following evening, hear
what could be said on both sides, and il
possible clear up the mystery. The widow
was well pleased with the mmsSvr aird mis-
elders coming to inQaire after the spoons
Sbe pnt Oh her best 4eute1-4bati Is to say
capEprepareo her -oep. Alpveei,es, aNd~es.
listed some of the most serious and relia-
BILE of her neighh0yS to assist in the inves-
tigatiUn.
Early in the evening Of the following
day-when the summer day was wearing
low and the field work was over-they
were all assembled in the clean secured
kitchen.
The ministers, elders and neighbOrs So
berly listened 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 Geordy, with his usual accOmpani-
ments of staff and wallet.
"Theres nae room for ye here, Geor-
dy," said she. "We're on weighty buSi-
ness"
"Weel, men," said GeOrdy, turning to
depart, "it's o nae consequence. | only
came to speak about your spoons"
"Hae ye heard o themy" cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
81 could ma miss bein blessed wi the
precious gilt O. hearin'; and what's better,
| saw them
"Saw them, Geordy? Whaur are they?
and here's a whole shillin' for ye;" and
Mrs. Simpsons purse, or rather & love
used for that purpose, was Instantly pro-
duccd.
"Weel," said Geordy, J." slipped in one
day, and seein' the silver unguarded,
thought some ill-guided body might covet
it, and jist laid it by, may say, amang
the leaves o'that Bible, thinkin' you would
be sure to see the spoons when you went
to read"
Before Geordy had finished his revela,
ton, Nancy Campbell had brought down
the proudly displayed, but never opened
Bible, and interspersed between its leaves
lay the dozen long.sought spoons.
The minister Of Bathgate could scarcely
command his gravity while admOnishng
Georuv on the trouble and vexatiOn his
trick had caused The assembled neigh
bors laughed outright when the daft man,
pocketing the widows shilling. which he
had clutched in the early part Of his dis
course, assured them AN that he kenned
Mrs. Simpson read her bible so often, that
the spoons would be certain to turn out
it. Gcordy got many basin of broth
and luncheon of bread and cheese on ac-
count Of that transaction with which he
amused all the fireSides of the parish. -
Mrs. Simpson was struck dumb even
from Scolding. The discovery put an end
to her ostentatiouS professions, and it may
be hoped turned her attention more to
practice. BY way Of making amends for
her unjust imputations on Nancy Camp
bell, she consented to receive her as a
daughter-in law within the same year
and it is said there was peace ever after
wards in the farm house but the good
people of Bathgate, when discussing q
character Of more prctense than perform
ance, still refer to the Widow Simpsons
spoons.