Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-09-07
EBENsBURG, Pa WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER =, 1856


such spoons were not to be found every
day, and Mrs Simpson was determined
to have them back in her stocking.
After sundry hints of increasing
breadth to Robin, who could not help
thinking his mother was loosing her
judgment. she one day pumped the charge.
to the utter aStonishment and dismay 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 Immediately
turned out the contents of her kist (box),
unstrung her pocket in Mrs Simpsons
presence, and ran, with tears in her eyes,
to tell the minister.
As was then common to 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
lawsuits and scandal prevented The
minister had heard-as who in Bathgate
had not ?-of Mrs. Simpsons loss. Like
the rest OF the parish, he thought it
rather strange; but Nancy Campbell was
one Of the most serious and exemplary
girls of his congregation-he could not
believe that the charge preferred against
her was true; yet the peculiarities Of the
case demanded investigation. With some
difficulty the minister persuaded Nancy
to return TO her mistress, bearing mes
sage to the effect that he and two of his
elders, who happened to reside in the
neighborhood, would come over the fol-
lowing evening, hear what could be said
on both sides, and, if possible, clear up
the .nistery. The widow was well pleas
ed at the minister and his elders coming
to inquire after the spoons. She put on
her best mutch (that is to say, cap), pre-
pared her best speeches, and enlisted some
of the most serious and reliable of her
neighbors to assist in the investigation.
Early in the evening Of following the
day-when the summer suuwls wear
ing low and the field work was
over-they were all assembled in the
clean secured kitchen, the minister, elders
and EeI@hbors, soberly listening to Mrs.
Simpsons testimony touching her lost sill
yer, Nancy, Robin and the tarmmen sit
ting by till their turn came, when the
door, which had been left half open to
admit the breeze, for the evening was
sultry, was quietly pushed aside, and in
slid Geordy Wilson, with his usual ac-
compartments of staff and wallet
"Thcr's ma room for ye here Geordy'
said the widow; S'we're on weighty busi-
ness"
"Weel, mom," said Geordy, turning
TO depart, sits of nae consequence. /
only came to speak about your spoons"
q Haze YOU heard o them?' cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
81 couldna miss bein blessed wi the
precious Gift O. hearin', and what's better.
| saw them,' said GeOrdy.
"Saw them Geordy? Whar are they {?
and here's whole shillin' for ye;" and
Mrs. Simpsons purse, or rather an old
glove used for that purpose, was instantly
produced.
s'WeeI,' said Gcordy, 81 slipped in
ae day, and seein' the siller unguarded. |
thought some ill-guided body might covet
it, and laid it by, l may say, among 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 of long-sought spoons
The minister of Bathgate could scarce
ly command his gravity while admon-
ishing Geordy on the trouble and vexa-
ton his trick had caused. The assem-
bled neighbors laughed outright when the
draft man, pocketing the widows shilling,
which he had clutched in the early part
of his discourse, assured them all that he
kenned Mrs. Simpson read her Bible so
often that the spoons would be certain to
turn up. Geordy got many a basin of
broth and many luncheon Of bread and
cheese on account of that transaction,
with which he amused all the firesides of
parish. Mrs. Simpson was struck dumb
even from scoldlng. The discovery put
and end to her ostentatious profession,
and it may be hoped turned her attention
more to practice.
Has the story no moral for you dear
reader ?-Leasure Hours.
e. A thoughtless old gentleman the