Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-05


&" BY the way" said she, L" the bank is
in quito a hourishing condition. is it not ?"
"None in the State on a better footing,
was the prompt response.
You receive deposits, do you not ?"
Yes, madam, wo are receiving them
every day"
"Do you receive as high-as five thous-
and dollars %
No." said the cashier, with some SUE
prise or rather we do not allow interest
on so largo q sum. One thousand dollars
is our limit. DO you know Of any one
who -"
alt is Of no consequence said the
widow, hurriedly 4" | only asked for curl
osity BY the way, did you say how much
interest you allowed on such deposits az
came within your limit"
" Five per cent, a'am"
Thank you only asked for curiosity.
What beautiful morning it is !"
And the widow tripped lightly out
Shortly afterwards the deacon entered
d" llows business, Mr.. Cashier" he in
quired.
About as usual"
Had any new deposits lately2'
None of any magnitude"
81 brought over lady, this morning
who seemed to have business with you"
"The Widow Wells2"
Yes"
Do you know" asked the cashier,
" whether she has had any money left her
lately ?"
None that know Of" said the deacon,
pricking his ears. Why? Did she de-
post any ?"
mo; but she inquired whether we re-
ceivcd deposits as high as five thousand
dollars"
" Indeed - calculated the deacon "Was
that all she came for p he inquired, mo-
ment afterwards.
mo, she exchanged gold piece for
small bills"
d" Ha" pondered the deacon, refec.
lively. Did she give any reason for her
inquiries 2"
mo; she said she only asked from Gu.
riosity."
The deacon left the bank in deep thought
He came to the conclusion that this " curl.
osity only yelled deeper motive. lie
no longer entertained a doubt that the
widow had actually 1ounu pot OF gold in
hsr COLLAR, aud appearances seemed to iudi-
cate that its probable value was at least
equal to Eve thousand dollars. The gold
piece which she had exchanged at the bank
appeared to confirm this story.
&C. rather think" said the Deacon, COM
placently, 81 can see into a milestone
about as far as most people'-a statement
the literal truth of which l defy any one to
question, though as TO the prime fact of
peoples being able to sec into milestone
at all, doubts have now and then intruded
themselves into my mind.
Next Sunday the widow Wells appeared
at church in new and stylish bonnet,
which led to some such remarks as these
How much vanity some people have, to
be sure !"
How woman that has to keep board
ers for living can afford to dash out with
such bonnet is more than | can tell.
should think she was old enough to know
better"
" suppose continued the same Young
lady, "she is trying to catch husband
with her hnery. Before | would conde-
scend to such means l'd-Id drown my.
self"
In this last amiable speech the young
lady had unwittingly hit upon the true mo-
tive. The widow ioaS intent upon catching
Deacon Bancroft, and she INDUCED in a
costly bonnet, not because she supposed he
would be caught with fnery, but because
this would strengthen in his mind the idea
that she had stumbled upon hidden wealth
Monday afternoon Deacon Bancroft
found an errand that called him over to the
widows. He was importuned to stay at
The polite widow, who knew the Dea-
cons weak point, brought on one of her
best mince pies, slice OF which her guest
partook Of with zest
You'll take another piece, know, "
SAID she, persuasively.
Really. am ashamed, said the Dea-
con, but he passed his plate. The fact
is" he said, apologetcally, "your pies are
SO nice | don't know where to stop"
ado you call these nice 2" said the
"'so", "oues.y oai' 'neni common,
~ Hn , . my, ,, P'9s Hncn SCI OUT 10, ou'
' .u.s ,'"' u'un ! nave such good luck as
usual
u shouldn't want any better" said the
deacon emphatically.
Then hope if you like them, you'll
drop IN to tea often. We ought to be
more neighborIy' Deacon Bancroft"
Deacon Bancroft assented, and he meant
what he SAID. The fact is, the deacon be-
gan 10 think that the widow was very
charming woman. She was very comedy,
ana then she was such an excellent cook
besides ne mad no doubt IN his own mind
'hat she was worth considerable sum OF
money Whai objections would there be
70 her becoming MRS. bancroitf lie
brought the question before her one even
ing Inc wldow piushed-proiessed to be
greatly surprlsed--in Tact, she had never