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

fp6oyeu to proclaim Tue loSs'
was regularly AdSeftisel at kirkgate
and market place; aud Mrs. Simpson
began to talk of getting out search
warrant for the beggar's meal-pouca.
Bathgate was alarmed through all its
borders concerning the spoons; but when
almost a mouth had worn away, and
nothing could be heard of them, the
widows suspicious turned from beggars,
barns and magpie to light on poor
Nancy. She had been securing the
spoons and had left the house last; sill
yer could not leave the house without
hands. It was true that Nancy had
always borne an unguestioned character;
but such spoons were not to be met with
every DAY, and Mrs. Simpson was de-
termined to have them back in her stock
ing. After sundry hints of increasing
breadth to Robin, who could not help
thinking his mother was losing her judg-
ment, she one day pumped the charge,
TO the utter astonishmcnt aud disnay 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), uustrung her pocket in Mrs.
Simpsons presence, and ran with tears
in her eyes to tell the minister.
1t was then Common in the country
marshes of Scotland, difficulties and
disputes which might have employed
the writers and puzzled the magistrates
were referred to his arbitration, ami thus
lawsuits or scandal prevented. The
minister had heard (as who in Bathgate
had not7 of Mrs. Simpsons 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 congregation, and he could
not believe that the charge preferred
against her was true. Yet the peculiari-
ties of the case demanded investigation.
With some difficulty the minister per-
suaded Nancy to return to her mistress,
bearing a message to the effect that he
and two of his elders who happened to
reside in the neighborhoo1 would come
over the following evening, hear what
could be said on both sides, and, ifpos
sibIe, clear up the mystery. The widow
was we'll pleased to have the minister
and his elders come to inquire after her
spoons. She put on her best match -
that is to say, cap-prepared her best
speeches, aud enlisted some Of the most
serious and reliable Of her neighbors to
assist in the investigation.
Early in the evening Of the following
day-when the summer sun was wearing
low and the field work was over they
were all assembled in the cleaned secured
kitchen, the minister, elders, and neigh
bors soberly listening to Mrs. Simpsons
testimony touching her lost silver, Nancy,
Robin, and the farm men sitting by un.
ill their turn came; when the door,
which had been left half open to admit
the breeze--for the evening was sultry-
was quietly pushed aside, and in slid
Geordy Wilson, with his usual accom-.
paniments of staff and wallet.
"There's nae room for ye here,
Geordy," said the widow, "we're on
weigbty business"
"Weel, mem, said Georiy, turning
to depart, sits OF nae consequence.
only came to spsak about your spoons"
ssHae sc heard o themG" cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
81 could ma miss bein blessed wi the
precious gift o hearip'; and what's bet
ter, saw them, +" said Geordy.
"sas them, Geordyl Whar are theyl
and there whole shillin for ye;" and