The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-04-23

- the rain ahatcd, 10 inform % neigh
| bors, under the suppodticn that some
strolling bcgEnr or gypsy might have
| carried Oh the treasure, and would 81
tempt TO dispose Of Il IN the parish. No
body thought Of 0cordy Wilson He
had not been pied from the hay field;
his circuits were wide; his visits to any
house were not frequent; and II be
avoided Widow Simpsons from the day
Of her los, Il was believed Geordy
knew that neither her temper NOR her
liberality would Be improved by that
circumstance.
Lost the spoons were beyond doubt,
and the widow babe fair to lose her
senses. The rich relation came at his
appointed time, and had such . tea that
be 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 silver and
active boys were bribed to turn out mag
pies nests. Wells and barns in the
neighborhood were explored. The criers
Of the three nearest parishes were en-
ployed to proclaim the loss; il was regu-
larly advertised at kirkgate and market
place, and Mrs. Simpson began to talk
Of getting search warrant for the beg
gar's meal pouch. Bathgate was alarmed
through all its borders concerning 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 left the
house last; silver could not leave the
table without hands.
~ 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 in 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 inn
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 the
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 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 peculiarities Of
the case demanded investigation.
With some difficulty the minister per-
suaded Nancy to return to her mistress,
bearing message to the effect that he
and two Of his elders who happened to
reside in the neighborhood would come
over the following evening, hear what
could be said on both sides, and if pos
s:ble 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
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 clean
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-for 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 We here, Geor
dy," said the widow: were on weighty
business"
"Weel, men," said Geordy, turning
to depart, tits of nae consequence. II
SA1Ay SeAAAAO W oPC1h 0bOuS yOuI bkIOOth1.E
"Hae ye heard O. them" cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
Il couldna miss beein blessed wi the
precious gift Of hearin, and, what's bet
ter, saw them" said Geordy.
Saw them, Geordy? Whar are they:
and here's whole shillin for ye," and
Mrs. Simpsons purse, or rather an old
glove used for that purpose. was instant
~ produced.
''Weel, !" said Geordy, II slipped in ae
day, and seein the siller unguarded 4
thought some III guided body might
coyet 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