Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-06-24


.1Sse and they consisted of half
reclaimed moorland; not on her grown
up son Robin, though he was counted a
likely and sensible lad; not on her
thrifty housekeeping, though it was
known to be on the "tight-screw" prin-
ciple; but on the possession of a dozen
silver teaspoons. Her account of them
was that they had belonged to the Young
Chevalier, and had been bestowed upon
her grandfather in return for entertain
ing that claimant to the British crown
on his march from Culloden-in proof
of which she was accustomed to point
out half obliterated crest and the IN
itisls c. S., with which they were
marked. The widows neighbors, how
ever, had different tale regarding their
coming into the family. 1t was to the
effect that her grandfather, who kept
small inn somewhere in Fife, had bought
them from an ill-doing laird for three
GALLONS of Highland whisky, and be-
slowed them on his granddaughter, as
one most likely to hold fast to such an
important acquisition.
in the family resided, in the capacity
OF "heIp," one Nancy Campbell, girl
about nineteen, who was suspected of
having taken fancy to Robin who re-
ciprocated the sentiment Nothing, how
ever, would soften the heart Of the widow
as regards match, until at last the fol-
lowing event occurred aud caused her to
give way: About the haymaking time
distant and comparatively rich relation
was expected to call and take tea ons
evening on his way from Linlithgrow.
1t was not often that this superior rela-
tive honored her house with visit, and
ME. Simpson, determined that nothing
should be wanting to his entertainment,
brought out the treasured spoons early in
the forenoon, with many injunctions to
Nancy touching the care she should take
in Frightening them up. While this
operation was being conducted in the
kitchen, in the midst of one Of these un-
certain days which vary the northern
June, sudden darkening of the sky an
nounced the approach of heavy rain.
The hay was dry and ready for housing
Robin and two farm men we're busy
gathering it in, but the great drops began
to fall while considerable portion yet
remained in the field, and, with the in
stinct of crop preservation, forth rushed
the widow, followed by Nancy, leaving
the spoons half scourei on the kitchen
table. In her rapid exit the girl had
forgotten to latch the door. The weasel
and the kite were the only depredators
known about the moorland farm; but
while they were all occupied in the hay
field who should come that way but
beggar called Georiy Wilson.
Well, the kitchen door was open, aud
Geordy stepped in. He banged the set
tie with his staff, be coughed, he
hemmed, he salu.ed the cat, which sat
purring on the window seat, and 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 considerable snif, gave
the ingredients stir with the pot stick
and muttered, Every thin" His pro-
eeding with regard to the latter must re-
|naln unmentioned, but, lssf an hour
ffter, when he Was ssfeiy susconsed IL ;