The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-10-01
VOLUME 3.

the HIuOW cOu1u really nave Aouho 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 proprietorship Of the treasure thus
found if she had not happened upon
some? To be sure, as far as his knowl-
edge extended, there was no one who
would be likely to lay up such an
amount Of gold; but then the house was
one hundred and fifty year. old. at the
very least, and had many occupants of
which 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. will wait and watch, +"
thought the elder.
Il SO happened that Elder Boyd was
one of the directors in a savings institu-
tion situated in the next town, and ac-
cordingly used to ride over there once a
month to attend meetings of the board.
On the next occasion of this kind the
widow sent over to know If he could
carry her with him, as she had little
business to attend to there. The request
was readily accorded. Arrived at the
village, Mrs. Hayes desired to be set
down at the bank.
aha, ha p' thought the elder, "that
means something"
He said nothing, however, but deter
mined to find out, as he could readily
from the cashier, what business she had
with the bank.
The widow Hayes tripped in the Of
fee, pretending to look very nonchalant.
"Can you give small bits for SO
gold piece 2" she inquired.
"With the greatest of pleasure" was
the reply.
"By the way" said she, "the bank is
in a very fine, fourishing condition, is it
not ?"
"None in the state is on a better foot
ing" was the response.
"You receive deposits, do you not p
"Yes madame; we are receiving them
every day."
"Do you receive as high az ten thous-
and dollars ?"
"No." said the cashier, with some sur
prise; cor rather we do not allow inter-
est on so large sum. One thousand
dollars is our largest limit. Did you
know of any one who"
"It is of no cons eq uences," said the
widow, "I only asked for curiosity. BY
the way. did You say how much interest
you allowed on such deposits as come
within your limit ?"
give per cent"
"Thank you. only asked for curios =
ity. What beautiful morning this isw
and the widow tripped lightly out.
Shortly after the elder entered.
"How is business, Mr.. Cashier ?" he
inquired.
"About as usual"
"Had many deposits lately?"
"None of any magnitude"
al brought over a woman this morn
ing, who seemed to have some business
with you"
"The widow Hayes?"
ayes"
"Do you know" asked the cashier.
"whether she has had any money left
her r'
"Not that know Of" said the elder,
pricking mp his ears. Why, did she de-
poait any ?"
"No, but she inquired whether we re-
ceived deposits of $4,000"
"Indeed !" CALCULATED the elder. ais
that all she came for ?" he inquired
moment afterward.
"No, she exchanged gold piece for
bills"
The elder left the bank in deep
thought. He came to the conclusion
that this curiosity only veiled a deeper
motive. He now no longer entertained
a doubt that the widow had found pot
of gold in her cellar, and appearances
seemed to indicate that its probable val
ue was at least equal to $4,000. The
gold piece she exchanged at the bank
confirmed this story.
81 rather think" said the elder COM
placently, "I can see into q milestone
about as far as most people," A state
ment, the literal truth of which defy
any one to question though as to the
prime fact of people being able to see
into milestone at all, doubts have now
and then forced themselves into my
mind.
The next Sunday the widow Hayes
appeared at church in new and stylish
bonnet, which led to come such remarks
at these:
"How much vanity some people have
to be sure"
"How a woman that has to keep
boarders for living can dash out in
such bonnet is more than can tell.
should think she 81 old enough to know
better"
This last remark was made by a
young lady just six months younger
than the widow, whose attempting to
catch a second husband. had hitherto
proved utterly unavailinR.
"I suppose continued the other
young lady, "she is trying to catch a
second husband with her 6nery. Before
I'd condescend to such means, I'd drown
myself"
In this last amiable speech the young
lady had, unwillingly, hit upon the true
motive. The widow was intent upon
catching Elder Boyd, and she indulged
in costly bonnet, not because she sup
posed he would be caught with 6nery,
but because this would strengthen In his
mind the idea that she had stumbled up
on hidden wealth. The widow calculat-
ed shrewdly, and the effect she anticipat
ed. Monday afternoon the elder found
an errand that called him over TO the
widows. It CHANGED to be just about
tea time. He was importuned to stay
to tea, and somewhat to his own sur