Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-08
. None. in the State on a better footing"

prise; g 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 ..s
1t is of no consequence" said the
widow hurriedly, q 1 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. I only ask for curiosity.
What beautiful morning it is!'' and the
widow tripped lightly out.
Shortly after the elder entered
How's business, Mr.. Cashier 90 he in
quired. .I.a
About as usual"
=" Have many deposits lately?"
None of any magnitude.''
81 brought over woman this morn
ing who seemed to have business with
you"
''The widow Hayes?''
Yes''
"Do you know" asked the cashier,
whether she has had any money left her
lately?" ~
None that [ know Of said the elder,
pricking up his ears. "Why, did she
deposit any?''
No; but she inquired whether we re-
| ceived deposits of as high as $4,000"
lndeedn' calculated the elder. 'Is
| that all she came for" he inquired a mo-
| ment afterward
No, she exchanged a gold-piece for
Bills
"Ha!' pondered the elder, refectively.
"Did she give any reason for her in
/ quiries ?"
"No; she said she only asked for curl
osity" t#
The elder left the bank in deep thought.
He came to the conclusion that this curl
| osity only yelled 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 value was at least equal
to $4,000. The gold-piece which she
had exchanged at the bank appeared to
confirm this story.
q rather think" said the elder COM
placently, 81 can see into a milestone
about as far as most people" A state
ment the literal truth Of which | defy
| anyone 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 upon my
| mind. ta
The next Sunday the widow Hayes APP
| peared at church in a new and stylish
| bonnet, which led to some such remarks
as these:
How much vanity some people have,
/ to be sure" .,4
GLOW woman that has to keep board
| ers for living can afford to dash out in
such bonnet IS more than [ can tell. I
should think she was 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 sec
ond husband had hitherto proved utterly
unavailing.
| 81 suppose" continued the same
young lady, she is trying to catch sec
ond husband with her fnery. Before I'd
condescend to such means, I'd-Id drown
myself"
In this last amiable speech the young
lady had unwittingly hit upon the true
motive. The widow was intent. upon
catching Elder Boyd, and she INDUCED in
costly bonnet, not because she supposed
he would be caught with tinery, but be-
cause this would strengthen in his mind
the idea that she had stumbled upon hid
den wealth. The widow calculated shrewd.
| ", and the display had the effect she an
ticipated. Monday afternoon the elder
had found an errand that called him over
to the widows. 1t CHANGED to be just
about tea-time. He was importuned to
stay to tea, and somewhat to his own sur
prise actually did.
The polite widow, who knew the elders
weakest point, brought one of her. best
mince pies, piece of which her guest
partook of with zest.
You'll take another piece, | know"
said she persuasively.
Really, l am ashamed,'' said the
elder; but he passed his plate. 1.-The
truth is" he said apologetically, "you1
pies are so nice [ don't know when to
stop" 1927
DO you call those nice?" said the
widow, modestly. g I call them common
| can make good mince pies when | sci
out to, but this time 1 didn't have as good
luck as usual.'' a.
g shouldn't want any better,'' said the
elder, emphatically. st@ a#a +"
"Then 1 hope, if you like them, you
will drop into tea often. We ought to be
more neighborly, Elder Boyd"
Elder Boyd assented, and he meant
what he said. The fact is, the deacon be-
gan to think that the widow was very
charming woman. She was very comely,
and then she was such an'excelIent cook.
Besides, he had no doubt in his own mind
that she was worth a considerable sum OF
money. What objection could there be to
her becoming Mrs. Boyd? He brought
Il I, e 1