The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-07-08

and by and by her lace Frightened. she
had an idea, which she was resolved tC
put into execution at the earliest possible
moment. What it was the reader will
discover in the sequel.
Freddie" said she to her son the next
morning, Il want you to stop at Elder
Boyd's as you 60 to school, and ask him
if he will call on me in the course of the
morning or afternoon, just as he finds il
most convenient"
Elder Boyd was a little surprised at this
summons. However, about eleven O'Clock
he called in The widow had got on the
dinner, and had leisure to sit down. She
appeared little embarrassed.
Freddie told me that you would like
to see me-" he commenced.
"Yes, elder, should. But l am very
much afraid you will think strange, at
least, of what l have to say to YOU
The elder very politely promised not to
be surprised, though, at the same time, his
curiosity was visibly excited.
Suppose" said the widow, casting
down her eyes" mind, l was only sup
posing a case-suppose person should
find pot of gold-pieces in their cellar,
would the law have right to touch it, OF
would it belong to them?"
The elder pricked up his ears.
"A pot of gold-pieces, widow? Why,
unquestionably, the law would have moth
ing to do with it,
"And the one who formerly owned the
house couldn't come forward and claim
it, could he, elder?"
NO, madam; unquestionably not
When the house was disposed of, every
thing went with it, as Il matter of course
Il am glad to hear it, elder. You won't
think strange of the question, but it hap
pened to occur in my mind, and l thought
[ would like to have it satisfied"
"Certainly, widow, certainly" said the
elder, abstractedly.
And, elder, as you're here, hope you
will stop to dinner with us. 1t will be
ready punctually at twelve"
well, no. said the elder, rising, I'm
much obliged to ye, but they'll be expect
ing me home"
AT any rate, elder" said the widow,
aking piece of steaming mince pie from
the oven, "you won't object to taking a
piece ofnince pie. You must know that
| rather pride myself on my mince pies. y
The warm pie sent up such a delicious
odor that the elder was sorcly tempted
and after saying: Well, really" with the
intention ofrefusing, he finished by say
ing: "On the whole l guess l will, as ii
looks so nice"
The widow was really good cook, and
the elder ate with much gusto the generous
piece which the widow cut for him, and
after little chatting upon unimportant
subjects, Withdrew in some mental per
plexity.
"Was it possible, " thought he, that the
widow could really have found pot of
gold in her cellar? She did not say so, to
be sure, but why should she have shown
so much anxiety to know as to the propri-
etorship of the treasure thus found if she
had not happened upon some? To be
sure, as far as his knowledge extended,
there was no one who would be likely to
lay up such an amount of gold; but then
the house was 150years old, at the very least,
and had had many occupants of whom
he knew nothing. 1t might be, after all.
The widows earnest desire to have him
think it was only curiosity likewise gave
additional probability to the supposition.
Il will wait and watch, thought the elder.
1t so happened that Elder Boyd was one
of the directors in a saving institution sit
uated in the next town, and accordingly
used to ride over there once or twice a
month to attend meetings of the Board.
On the next occasion of this kind the
widow Hayes sent over to know if he
could carry her with him, as she had lit
tie business to attend to there. The request
was readily accorded. Arrived at the vii
lage, Mrs Hayes desired to be set down at
the bank.
"Ha. ha!' thought the elder, "that
means something"
He said nothing, however, but deter
mined to come back and find out, as he
could readily from the cashier, what busi
ness she had with the bank. The widow
tripped into the Office, pretending to look
very nonchalant.
Can you give small bills for ten-dol
lar gold piece she inquired.
with pleasure" was the reply.
"By the way" said she, the bank is in
a very fourishing condition, is it not:"
None in the State on a better footing"
was the prompt response.
"You receive deposits, do you not?"
"Ycs. madam; we are receiving them
every day"
"Do you receive as high as-as ten
thousand dollars?"
No" said the cashier with some sur
prise: "or rather we do not allow interest
on so large sum. One thousand dol
lars is our limit. Did you know of any.
one who"
"It is of no consequence" said the
widow hurriedly, Il only asked for curl
osity. By the way, did you say how much
interest you allowed on such deposits as
come within your limit"
Five per cent, ma'am."
Thank you. only ask for curiosity
What beautiful morning it isr' and the
widow tripped lightly out.
Shortly after the elder entered.
"How's business, Mr.. .Cashier?'' he in
quired.
About as usual"
"Have many deposits lately?"
"None of any magnitude"
81 brought over woman this morn
ing who seemed to have business witt
you"
"The widow Hayes?'
Yes"
"Do you know" asked the cashier
whether she has had any money left hel
lately?'
"None that l know Of" said the elder
pricking up his ears. "Why, did sht
deposit any?"
"No; but she inquired whether we re
ceived deposits of as high as $4,000"
Indeedr' calculated the elder. "I
that all she came for?" he inquired mo
ment afterward.
"No, she exchanged gold-piece TO
bills"
"Ha" pondered the elder, reflectively
"Did she give any reason for her in
quiries?"
"No; she said she only asked for curl
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