The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-08-14

doing laird for three gallons of highland
whiskey, and bestowed them on his grand
daughter, as the one of his family most like
ly to hald fast to such an important acquisi-
ton.
In the family resided, in the capacity of
help, one Nancy Campbell, girl about nine
teen, who was suspected of having taken a
fancy to Robin, who reciprocated the senti-
ment. Nothing, however, would soften the
heart of the widow as regards match, until
at last the following event occurred, aid
caused her TO give way:
About the hay making time distant and
comparatively rich relation was expected to
call and take tea that evening on his way
from Linlithgoy. 1t was not often that this
superior relative honored her house with a
visit, and Mrs Simpson, determined that
nothing should be wanting to his entertain
met brought out the treasured spoons ear
ly ILL the forenoon, with many injunc.ions to
Nancy touching the care she should take in
Frightening them up. While this operation
was being conducted in the kitchen, in the
midst of those uncertain days which vary the
northern June, sudden darkening of the
sky announced the approach of heavy rain,
The hay was dry and ready for housing
Robin and two farm men were busy gather
ing it in; but the great drops began to fail
while considerable portion Vet remained i'll
the field, and. with the instinct of crop pres
ervation. forth rushed the widow, followed
by Nancy, leaving the spoons halfscoured
on the kitchen table. In her rapid exit the
girl had forgotten to latch the door. The
weasle and the kite were the only depreda-
tors known about the moorland farm; but
while they were all occupied in the hay field,
who should come that way but Geordy VIII
son.
Well, the kitchen door was open, and
Geordy stepped III. He banged the settle
with his staff, he coughed, he hemmed, he sa-
lrted the Cat, which sat purring on the win
dow seat, and at length discovered there was
nobody within. Neither meal nor penny was
to be expected that day; the rain was grow
ing heavier, some Of the hay must be wet,
and Mrs Simpson would return in bad hu
NOR. But two objects powerfully arrested
Geoldy's attention: one was the broth-pot
boiling on the fire, and the other the silver
spoons scattered on the table Bending ov-
er the folmer; Geordy took a considerable
snili, gave the ingredients stir with pot
stick, and muttered, every thin His pro-
ceeding with the latter must remain unmen-
ssfely ensconced in farmhouse a mile off,
the family were driven within doors by the
increasing storm they found everything as
it .lad been left-the broth on the fire, the
cat on the window seat, the whiting and fan
lei oIl lle tduIt DuI NOt Spvoi was thtIe
where's the spoons ?" cried Mrs Simp-
son to the entire family, who stood by the
fire drying their wet garments. Nobody
could tell. Nancy had left them on the ia
bic when she ran to the hay. No one had
been in the house, they were certain, bnt
nothing was disturbed. The drawer was
pulled out, and the empty stocking exhibited.
Every shelf, every corner was searched, but
ito no purpose the spoons had disappeared,
and the state of the farm house may be i'm
agined. The widow ran through it like one
distracted. questioning, scolding and search
ing. Robin, Nancy and the farm men were
dispatched in different directions, as soon as
the rain abated, to advertise the neighbors,
under the supposition that some strolling
beggar or gipsy might have carried off the
treasure, and would attempt 10 dispose of it
in the parish. Nobody thought of Geordy
Wilson: he had not been sp:ed from the hay
field his circuits were wide; his visits to
any house were not frequent; and if he es-
chewed Widow Simpsons from The day OF
her loss, it was believed Geordy know her
temper nor her liberality would be improved
by that circumstance. Lost the spoons were,
beyond doub., and the widow babe fair to
/ lose her senses. The rich relation came at
the appointed time, and had such tea that he
vowed never again to trust himself in the
house of bis entertainer. But the search
went on; rabbits holes were looked into for
the missing silver, and active boys wer,
bribed to turn out magpies' nests. Wells
and barns IN the neighborhood were explor-
ell. The criers of the three nearest parishes
were employed to proclaim the loss; it was
regularly advertised at kirkgate and marke,
place; and Mrs Simpson began to talk OF
getting search warrant for the beggars'
meal-pouch. Bathgate was alarmed through
all its borders concerning the spoons; bu,
when almost month wore away, and moth.
ing could be heard of them, the widows sus.
picions turned from beggars, barns and mag
pies to light on poor Nancy She hal beer
securing the spoons, and left the house last
silver could not leave the table without
hands. 1t was true that Nancy had alway:
borne an unquestioned character; but sucl
spoons We're not to be met with every day
and Mrs Simpson was determined to hav,
them back in her stocking. After sundr,
hints Of increasing breadth to Robin, WHIT
could not help thinking his mother was los