The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-02-11

| "a pot oil gold pieces WldoWE why, UNI
questionably the law would have nothing
to do with it."
"And the one who formerly owned the
house couldn't come forward and claim it,
could he, Elder9"
mo, madam; unquestionably not
When the house was disposed of every
thing went with it, as matter of course"
81 am glad to hear it, Elder. You won't
think strange of the question, but it hap
pened to occur in my mind and 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 12"
"Well, no." said the Elder, rising, "I'm
obliged to ye; but they'll be expecting
me at home"
cat any rate, Elder" said the widow,
taking piece of steaming mince pie from
the oven, "you won't object to taking a
piece of mince pie. You must know that
rather pride myself on making mince
pies"
The warm pie sent up such delicious
odor that the Elder was sorely tempted,
and after saying, swell, really" with the
intention of refusing, he finished by say
ing, "On the whole, guess I will, as it
looks so nice"
The widow was really good cook, and
the Elder ate with much gusto the gener-
Gus piece which the widow cut for him,
and, after little chattering upon unim-
portant subjects, withdrew in some mental
perplexity.
"Was it possible" thought he, "that the
widow could really have found pot of
gold in her cellar2 She did not say so,
to be sure, but why should she have shown
so much anxiety to know as to the pro-
prietorship of the treasure thus found if
she had not happened upon some7 To be
sure, 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 one hundred and fifty years old, at the
very least, and had had many occupants
of which he knew nothing. 1t might be,
after all. The widows desire to have him
think it was only curiosity, likewise gave
additional probability to the suggestion
l will wait and watch" thought the Elder
1t so happened that Elder Boyd was one
of the directors in savings institution,
situated in the next town, and according
ly 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 re-
quest was readily accorded. Arrived at
the village, Mrs. Hayes desired to be set
down at the bank.
"Ha, ha!n 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 bust
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 o
very tiourishing condition, is it not 2"
None In the State on better footing,n
was the prompt response.
"You receive deposits, do you not ~
Eyes, madam we are receiving them
every day."
"Do you receive as high as ten thousand
dollars 2"
"No, said the cashier, with some sur
prise; Tor rather we do not allow interest
On so large sum. Did you know of any
one who"
at is of no consequence" said the wild
ow, hurriedly; II only asked for curiosi-
| ty. BY the way, did you say how much
interest you allowed on such deposits as
come within your limit ~
| Five per cent, maam."
"Thank you, l only asked for curiosity.
What beautiful morning it is" And
the widow tripped lightly out.
Shortly after the Elder entered.
"How's business, Mr.. CashierG' he in
quired.
about as usual"
"Had many deposits lately Z"
"None OF any magnitude"
81 brought over q woman this morning
who seemed to have some business with
YOU"
1.-THE Widow Hayes"
"Yes."
"Do you KNOW" said the cashier, "wheth-
er she has had any money left her lately ~
"None that l know Of" said the Elder
pricking up his ears. "Why, did she de-
post any9
mo; but she inquired whether we re.
ceived deposits of as high as ten thousand
dollars"
"Indecd !" calculated the Elder, "Is thai
all she came for ?" he inquired, a moment
afterward.
mo, she exchanged gold piece fol
bills"
"Ha!" pondered the Elder, refectively
"Did she give any reason for her inqui
ries 2"
mo, she only asked out of curiosity"
The Elder left the bank in deep thought
He came to the conclusion that this curl
osity only yelled deeper motive. HI
now no longer entertained doubt thai
the widow had found pot of gold in hel
cellar, and appearances seemed to indicate
that its probable value was at least equa
to ten thousand dollars. The gold piece
which she had exchanged at the bank ap
peared to confirm this story.
II rather think" said the Elder, com
placently, II can see into milestone abou
as far as most people," A statement, tn,
literal truth ofwhich defy any one t.
question, though as to the prime fact o
people being able to see into a milestone a
all, doubts have now and then forced them
selves upon my mind.
The next Sunday the Widow Hayes ap
peared at church in new and stylish bon
net, which led to some such remarks a
these:
"How much vanity some people have, t.
be sure"
How woman that has to keep board
ers for living can afford to dash out il
. such bonnet is more than l can tell.
: should think she was old enough to know
f better"
, The last remark was made by younl
lady lust six months Younger than tn