The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-08-12
VOL. XXXVU---NO. 81.

when almost month had worn away
and nothing could be heard of them
the widows suspicion turned from
beggars, barns and magpie to light on
poor Nancy. She had been securing
the spoons and had left the house last;
silver could not leave the house with
out hands. 1t was true that Nancy
had always borne an unquestionable
character; but such spoons were not
to be met with every day, and Mrs.
Simpson was determined to have them
back in her stocking. After sundry
hints of increasing breadth to Robin,
who could not help thinking his moth
er 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 and an orphan, Nancy had some
honest pride she Immediately turned
out the whole contents of her kist
(box), unstrung her pocket in Mrs.
Simpsons presence, and ran with tears
in her eyes to tell the minister.
1t was then common in the country
parishes of Scotland. Difficulties and
disputes which might have employed
the writer's and puzzled the magis-
trates were referred to his arbitration,
and thus lawsuits or scandal prevent
ed. The minister had heard las who
in Bathgate had not y of Mrs. Simp-
sons loss. Like the rest of the parish
he thought it rather strange; but
Nancy Campbell was one of the most
serious and exemplary girls in his con-
gregation, and he could not believe
that the charge preferred against her
was true. Yet the peculiarities of the
case demanded investigation, With
some difficulty the minister persuad-
ed Nancy to return to her mistress,
bearing a message to the effect that
he and two of his elders who happen
ed to reside in the neighborhood
would come over the following even
ing, hear what could be said on both
sides, and, if possible clear up the my
stery. The widow was well pleased to
have the minister and his elders come
to inquire after her spoons. Size put
on her best match-that is to say, cap
prepared her best speeches, and en-
listed some of the most serious and re-
liable of her neighbors to assist in the
investigation
Early i'll the evening of the follow
ing day-when the summer sun was
wearing low and the field work was
clean-scoured kitchen, the minister,
elders and neighbors soberly listening
to Mrs. Simpsons testimony touching
her lost silver, Nancy, Robin, and the
farm men sitting by until their turn
came when the door, which had been
left half open to admit the breeze
for the evening was sultry-was quiet |
lv pushed aside, and in slid Geordy
Wilson, with his usual accompani-
ment of staff and wallet.
There's nae room for we here, Geor
dy," said the widow, we're on
weighty business
"Weel, men, said Geordy, turning
to depart, cts of nae consequence /
only came to speak about your
spoons"
Haze We heard O. them p cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
81 could ma miss, bein' blessed VII
the precious gift O. hearin' and what
is better, saw them, said Geordy
''Saw them, Geordy Whar are
they and there'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
ae day, and SEEM the siller unguarded
4 /
might covet it, and jist laid it by, |
may say, among the leaves O. that
Bible, thinkin' you would be sure to
see the spoons when you went to read. |
Before Geordy had finished his rev.
elation Nancy Campbell had brought
down the proudly displayed but new
er-opened Bible, and interspersed be-
tween its leaves lay the dozen of long
sought spoons.
The minister of Bathgate could
scarcely command his gravity while |
admonishing Geordy on the trouble |
and vexation his trick had caused. |
The assembled neighbors laughed |
outright when the daft man, pocket
citing the widows shilling which he
had clutched in the early part of his
discourse, assured them all that he
kenned Mrs. Simpson read her Bible |
sa often that the spoons would be GER
tain to turn up. Geordy got many a
basin of broth and many a luncheon
of bread and cheese on account of that
transaction, with which he amused all
the firesides of the parish. Mrs. Simp-
son was struck dumb, even from scold-
ing. The discovery put All end to her
ostentatious professions, and it may
be hoped, turned her attention more to
practice. By way of making amends
for her unjust imputations on Nancy
Campbell, she consented TO receive
her as u daughter-in-law within the
same year, and it is said that there |
was peace ever after in the farmhouse;
but the good people of Bathgate,
when discussing character of more
pretense than performance, still refer
to Widow Simpsons spoons.-Ro