Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-10-13


Some ssgacinus person, however. has
observed that il takes two 10 make
match, a tact To be seriously considered
for iu the present ease it was exceedingly
doubtful whether the worthy deacon, even
il he had known The favorable opinion oil
his next neisapcr, would have been in
clined to propose changing her namo to
Bancroft, unless, indeed. suitable motive
was brought L. bear upon him.
!. Here was = chance for II iinessing,
wherein widows are said, rs general
thing. TO be expert.
One evening after 4 'lay of fatiguinS
labor, the WidoW Wells sat at the fire IN
the sitting-toom, with her feet resting
upon he fender.
III am ever so situated as not to have
to work so hard" she murmurcd. IL shall
be happy rs hard life, keeping board
ers 1t Was only as well oil rs Deacon
! Bsncrofl-"
Still the widow kept up her thinking
and by and. by her lace frightened up
She had au idea which she was resolved
to put into execution at the very earliest
practical moment. What it was the read.
or will discover in the sequel.
Henry" said she to her son the next
mOrniog. II want you to stop at Deacon
Bancrof's. as you 20 along TO school. aud
ask If he will call and see mo in the
course OF .hc morning or afternoon. just
as he iinds il most convenient"
Descon Bancroft was liillc surprised
8, the summons However. about eleven
o'clock. he called in Tho widow had got
on the dinDer and had leisure to 81; down.
She appeared litilc embarrassed.
''llenry told mo that you would like to
sec ne" he commenced.
''Yes, Deacon Bancroft, do. but am
very much afraid you will think strange
OF it-,t least Of what have to say to
YOU"
The deacon very politely promised not
10 be surprised. though at the same time
his curiosity Nas visiblY excited.
suppose" said the widow, casting
down her eycs-"mind. am only sup
posius = case suppose a person should
tiud po, Of god pieces in their cellar,
would Ihe Ian have right 10 touch il. OF
wou'd il belong 70 ,hcm?"
The deacon pricked up his e,r'.
"A pot Of gold pieces. widow! Why,
unquestionubly. the law would have
nothing 10 DO whh it,"
"And tie one who had formerly owned
The house couldn't come forward and
claim il. could he, deacon ?" inquired the
widow, further. with apparen; anxiety.
mo. madam. uuque.iiouably not.
When The house Was disposed OF. every
thing went with it, ms matter Of course
i am glad to hear il, deacon. loa
won. think strange Of the question; but
ii happened to occur to my mind. and
thought that would like to have it sat-
islied."
Certainly. widow. certainly" said the
deacon, aLsIraetedlY.
And, deacon, as YOU are here. | hope
you'll ,lop lo dinuer with Us. 1t will be
punciually at Twelve
"Well, no." said the deacon, rising
I'm oblecs d to ye, but they'll b. oS-
pecting mo home"
AT any rate, deacon, slid the widow,
taxing ueamihg mince pie from the
oven, you won't object to taking piece
OF mince pie. You must know rather
pride myself on my mince pies"
The warm pie sent tn such a delicious
odor, that.the deacon wss sorcly tempted.
and alter saying"Well. really with the
intention OF refusing. lie finished by say
ing. "on the whole, guess | will. as it
looks so nice"
The widow was really good cook. and
the deacon ate with much gus!o the gen.
erous slice which the idoW cut Tor him,
and after little more batting upon Tn
important subiects. Withdrew in some
mental psrplexiy.
"Was ii possible. thought he. That the
widow could really have found a pot OF
gold in her cellar' She did not say so. 10
be sure; but why should she have shown
so much anxiety to know rs To the pro
prietorship OF treasure thus found, il she
had not happened upon some ?" To be
sure. as fat as his knowledge extended,
lhere was no one who occupied the house
who would be in the least likely TO lay up
such an amount ol gold; but then the
house WAS one hundred ssd fifty years
old. at the very least, and undoubtedly
had had many occupants OF which he
knew nothing. II might be, after ALL
The widows earnest desire 10 have him
think il was only curiosity likewise gave
additional probability to The suppostion.
II will wait and watch" thought the
deacon.
1t so happened that Deacon Bancroft
was one OF the directors in a savings IN.
sliluiion situated in toe next town. and
accordingly used to ride over there once
or twice month, 10 attend meetings Of
the board.
On the next occnsion Of this kind, the
Widow Wells sent over tn know if he
could carry her over wuh him, as she had
q little business 10 attend tu there.