The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-06-04

came at his appointed time anc
had such 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 sill.
ver and active boys were bribed &c
turn out magpies' nests. Wells an6
barns in the neighborhood were ex-
plored. The criers OF the three near.
est parishes were employed to pro-
claim the loss; 1t was regularly adver.
tised at kirkgate and market place;
and Mrs Simpson began to talk oil
getting search warrant for the beg
gar's meal pouch. Bathgate was
alarmed through all its borders con-
corning the spoons; but when almost
month had worn away. and nothing
could be heard of them. the widows
suspicious turned from beggars, barns
and magpies TO light on poor Nancy.
She had been securing the spoons and
had lott the house last; silver could
not leave the table without hands. II
was true that Nancy had always
borne an unquestioned character; but
such spoons were not TO be met with
every day and Mrs. Simpson was de.
termincd to have them back in her
stocking. After sundry hints OF in.
creasing breadth to Robin who could
not help thinking his mother was
losing her Judgment she. one
day. pumped the charge. TO the utter
establishment and dismay OF the poor
girl. whose anxiety in the search had
been inferior only TO her own.
Though poor ana an orphan Nancy
had some honest pride; she Immediate
ly turned out the whole contents Of
her kist tbox). unstrung her pocket
in Mrs. Simpsons presence. and ran
with tears in her eyes to tell tho min
ister
AS was then common in the country
parishes Of Scotland difficulties and
disputes. which might have employed
the writer's and puzzled tho magis-
trates were referred TO his arbitration
and thus law suits and scandal pre-
vented. The minister had heard. as
who in Bathgate had not? OF Mrs
Simson's loss. Like tho rest of tho
parish he thought it rather strange;
but Nancy Campbell was one OF the
most serious and exemplary girls in
his congregation, and ho could not be-
lieve that the charge preferred against
her was true. Yet the peculiarities
OF the case demanded investigation.
With some difficulty the minister per-
suaded Nancy to return to her mis-.
tress. bearing message to the effect
that he and two OF the elders who
happened to reside in the neighbour.
hood would come over the following
evening. hear what could be said oA
both sides and, II possible. clear up
the mystery. The widow was well
pleased to have the minister and his
elders come to inquire after her
spoons. She put on her best mulch
that is to say, cap-prepared her best
speeches. and enlisted some OF the
most serious and reliable of her
no ghbors to assist in the investigation.
EARLY in tie evcning OF the follow.
ing day -whon the summer sun was
wearing low and tho field work was
over they were all assembled in the
clean. secured kitchen, the minister.
elders. and noighbors soberly listen
ing to MR.. simpsons testimony
touching her lost silver Nancy Robin
and tho farm men sitting by until
their turn came; when the door which
had been left partly open to admit the
breeze for the e cning was sultry-~
was quietly pushed aside. and in slid
Ceordy Wilson. with his usual accom-
paniments OF staff and wallet
There's nae room for We here
Gcordy." said the widow; were on
weigity business. !"
.'Wecl men," said Gcordy. turning
to depart, its OF nae consequence.
only came to speak about your
spoons"
.;Hae yc heard o them?" cried Mrs
Simpson. bouncing from her seat
Il couldna miss bein' blessed wi
tho precious gift o. hearin'; and.
what's botter saw them" said
Geordy.
Saw them. Gcordy? Whar are
they? and here's whole shillin' for
ye;" and Mrs. Simpsons purse. or
rather an old glove used for that pur-
pose. was instantly produced
'Weel" said Geordy Il slipped in
&C day. and seein' the siller unguard-
ed. / thought some ill-guided body
might covet 1t, and jist laid it by.
may say. amang the leaves O. thai,
bible. thinkin' you would DO sure tc
see tho spoons when you went to
read"
Before Geordy had finished his reve-
lation Nancy Campbell had brought
down the proudly displayed but never
opened bible and intorspersed be.
tween its leaves lay the dozen of long
sought spoons.
Tho minister OF Bathgate could
scarcely command his gravity while
admonishing Geordy on the trouble
and vexation his trick had caused.
The assembled neighbors laughed out.
right when tho daft man. poclsetine
the widows shilling. which he had
clutched in the early part OF the dis.
course assured them all that he kennel
Mrs. simpson read her bible so often
the spoons would be certain to turn
up. Gcordy got many basin Of broth
and many luncheon Of bread-and-
cheese on account OF that transaction.
with which he amused all the fire.