Gloucester County Democrat., 1892-04-21

" 5CttIilS u ntdTCH warrant Tor the Deg
gar's mealpouch. Bathgate was alarmed
through all its borders concerning the
spoons; but when almost a month had
worn away aud 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 left the
house last; silver could not leave the
table without hands
1t 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 deter
mined to have them back ia her stock
ing. After sundry hints Of increasing
breadth to Robin. who could not help
thinking his mother was losing her
judgment, she one day pumped the
charge, to the utter astonishment 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 i'm
mediately turned ont 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.
AS was then common in the country
parishes of Scotland, difficulties and dis
putes which might have employed tho
writers and puzzled the magistrates were
referred to his arbitration, and thus law
suits or scandal prevented The minis
ter had heard AS who in Bathgate had
not-of Mrs. Simpsons loss. Like the
rest of the parish, he thought il rather
strange; but Nancy Campbell was one
of the most serious and exemplary girls
in his congregation, and he could moi
believe that the charge preferred against
her was true. Yet the peculiarities Of
the case demanded investigation.
With some difficulty tho 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 neighborhood would come
over tie following evening, hear what
could be said on both sides, and if pos
sible clear up the mystery. Tho widow
was well pleased to have the minister
and his elders come to inquire after hel
spoons. She put on her best mutch
mat is to say. cap prepared her best
speeches and 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 wear
ing low and the field work was over
they were all assembled in the cleaa
secured kitchen, the ministers, 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-f0r the evening
was sultry-was quietly pushed aside
and IN slid GeOrdy Wilson, with his
usual accompaniment Of staff and wal
let.
There's nae room for ye here. Geor-
dy," said the widow; we're on weighty
bdsiness"
''Weel, men, said Geordy, turning
to depart, .'it'; Of nae consequences. /
only came to speak about your spoons. n
q ..Hae ye heard O tllem2 cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
roHidna mics aseein blessed wi the
precious gift Of hearin. and. what's bet
fer. saw them, said Geerdy
Saw them. Geordy? Whar are theys
and here's whole shiIlin for ye,n and
Mrs. Simpsons purse, or rather an old
glove used for that purpose. was instant.
" produced.
"Weel," said Geordy, Il slipped in ae
day, and seein the siller unguarded |
thought some i'll guided body might
covet it, and jist laid it by, may say,
amang the leaves o. that Bible, thinkin
you would be sure to see the spoons
when you went to read.
Before Geordy had finished his revela-
ton Nancy Campbell had brought down
the proudly displayed but never opened
Bible, and interspersed between its
leaves lay the dozen Of long sought
spoons.
The minister of Bathgate could scarce
ly command his gravity while admon-
ishing Geordy on the trouble and vex-
alton his trick had caused. The as
sembled neighbors laughed outright
when the daft man, pocketing the
widows shilling, which he had clutched
IN the early part of his discourse, as
sured them all that he kenned Mrs.
Simpson read her Bible so often the
spoons would DO certain to turn up.
Geordy got many basin Of broth and
many luncheon Of bread and cheese on
account of that transaction. with which
he amused all the firesides Of the parish
Mrs. Simpson was struck dumb even
from scolding. The discovery put an
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 re-
ceive her as q daughter-in-law within
the same year, and it is said there was
peace ever after in the farmhouse; but
the good people Of Bathgate, when dis
cussing character of more pretense
than performance, still refer to Widow
Simpsons spoons. Romance.