Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-07-09


henmed, be salu:ed the cat, which sat
purring on the window seat, aud at
length discovered that there was no one
within. Neither meal nor penny was to
be expected that day the rain was grow
ing heavier, some of the hay must be wet,
and Mrs. Simpson would return in bad
humor. But two objects powerfully
arrested Geordy's attention; one was
the broth pot boiling on the fire, and
the other the silver spoons scattered on
the table. Bending over the former
Geordy took a considerable snid, gave
I the ingredients stir with the pot stick
and muttered, every thin" His pro-
sceding with regard to the latter must re-
main unmentioned but, half an hour
after, when he was safely eusconsed in
farmhouse a mile Off, aud the family
had been driven within doors by the in
creasing storm, they found everything
! as it had been left-the broth on the tire.
the cat on the window seat, the whiting
and flannel on the table but not spoon
was there.
""hars the spoons'' cried Mn,
olmpson to the entire family, who stood
toy the fire drying their wet oar,nsnt.
Nobody could tell. Nancy had left
|
'nem on the table when She ran to the
! hay. No one had been in the house
they were certain, for nothing was dis
turbed. The drawer was pulled out and
the empty stocking exhibited Ever,
shelf, every corner was searched, but tc
no purpose. The spoons had disap
,peaTed, and the state of the farm hous,
may be imagined. The widow ran
through it like one distracted, question
ing, scolding aud searching Robin,
Nancy and the farm men were dispatched
in different direction as soon as the rain
abated to inform the neghDors, under
the supposition that some strolling beg
gan or gypsy might have carried off the
treasure and would attempt to dispose
Of it in the parish. Nobody thought Of
Geordy Wilson He had no. been
spied from the hay field; his circuits
were wide; his visits to any house were
not frequent; and Il he avoided Widow
Simpsons from the day Of her loss, it
was believed Geordy knew that neither
her temper nor her liberality would be
improved by that circumstance. Lost
the spoous were beyond doubt, and
the widow bade fair to lose her senses.
The rich relation came at his appointed
time, and had such a tea that he vowed
never again to trust himself in the house
of his entertainer. But the search went
on, rabbits holes were looked into for
the missing silver, and active boys were
bribed to turn out magpies' nests.
Wells and barns III the neichborhood
were explored. The criers Of the
three nearest parishes were en-
ployea to proclaim the loss; it
was regularly advertised at kirkgate
aud market place; and Mrs.. Simpson
began to talk Of getting out search
warrant for the beggar's meal pouch.
Bathgate was alarmed through all its
borders concerning the spoons; but When
~, 4
nothing could be heard Of them, the
widows suspicious turnei from beggars
Nancy She had been securing the
Spoons aud had left the house last; sill
yer could not leave the house withou.
hands. 1t was true that Nancy had
always borne al uuquestioned character, !,
!. every day, an1 Mrs. Sim-son w.5 de-
termined to have them back in her stock
ing. After sundry hints Of iucreasin.
breadth to Robin, who could not hell
thinking his mother was losing her iud 2
inent, she one day pumped the charge
TO the utter astonishmcnt aud ,lisnay OF
! the poor girl. whose anxiety in the search
had been Inferior only to her own.
Though poor aud an orphan, Nancy hal
some honest pride; she Immediately
turned out the whole contents OF her
, kist (box), unstrung Ter pocket in Mrs.
Simpsons preseace, anI ran with tears
in her eyes 10 tel! the minister.
Il was then Common il the countr1
= parishes of Scotland, difficulties aud
n disputes which might have enploye
!. the writers aud puzzled the magistrates
!. we're referred - his arbitration. anu thut
i lawsuits or scandal prevented. Tee
+, minister had heard (as who ia Bsthga.s
\ nad notD of Mrs. Simpson loss. Like