The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-30
of view, Elder Boyd was a very desirable


elder, even if he had known the favora-
BILE opinion of his next neighbor, would
have been inclined to propose changing
her name to Boyd, unless, indeed, a
suitable motive was brought to bear
upon him. Here was chance for lit
tie managing, wherein widows are said,
as general thing, to be expert.
One evening, after day of fatiguing
labor, Widow Hayes sat at the fire in the
sitting room, with her feet resting on the
fender.
"If ever 1 am situated so as not to
have to work so hard" she murmured,
II shall be happy. It's hard life, keep.
ing boarders. II l was only as we'll off
as Elder Boyd
Still the widow kept up her thinking,
and by and by her face frightened. She
had an idea which she resolved to 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, 81 want you to stop at
Elder Boyd's when you go to school and
ask him if he will call on me in the
course of the morning or afternoon, just
as be finds it 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 embar-
rassed.
Freddie told me you would like to see
me-" he commenced.
Eyes, elder, 1 should. But am very
much afraid you will think strange at
least of what have to say to you"
The elder promised very politely not
to DO surprised, though at the same time
his curiosity was visibly excited.
Suppose" said the widow, casting
down he- eyes-''mind. was only sup
posing a cAse-suppose q person should
find pot of gold pieces in their cellar,
would the law have right to touch it,
or would it belong to them?" The elder
pricked up his ears.
"a pot of gold pieces, widow? Why,
unquestionably, 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, e)der?"
mo, madam; unquestionably not.
When the house was disposed of, every
thing went with it, as matter of
course"
IT am glad to hear 1t, elder. You
won't think strange of the question,
but it happened 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, I hope
you will stop to dinner with US. 1t will
be ready punctually at twelve"
well, no." said the elder. rising,
"I'm obliged to ye; but they'll be ex-
pecting me at home"
cat any rate, elder" said the widow,
taking o piece of mince pie fresh from
the oven, "you won't object to taking q
piece of mince pie. You must know
that rather pride myself on my nince
pies"
The warm pie sent forth such doll
cious odor that the elder was sorely
tempted, and. after saying, well, real
ly,' with the intention Of refusing. he
finished by saying, "On the whole, /
guess 1 will, as it looks 30 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 chatting upon unimpor-
tant subjects, withdrew in some mental
perplexity.
Was it possible, thought he. the widow
could really have found pot Of gold in
her cellar? She did not say 30, to be
sure, but why should she have shown so
much anxiety to know as to the proprie-
torship of the treasure thus found, If she
had not happened upon some? To be
sure, so far as his knowledge extended,
there was no one who would be likely to
lay up such an amount OF gold; but the
house was $50 years old, at the very
least, and had 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,
libe wise gave additional probability to
the supposition. II will wait and WATCH"
thought the elder.
1t SO happened that Elder Boyd was
one of tie directors Of savings institu-
tion situated in the next town, and &C.
cordingly used TO ride over there once or
twice . month to attend meetings of the
board.
On the next occasion of this kind the
Widow Hayes sent over to know il he
would carry her with him, as she had .
little business to attend to there. The
request was readily accorded. Arriving
at the village, Mrs. Hayes desired to be
set down at the bank building.
"Ha. hay thought the elder, that