The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-06-03

aslonisnment ana dlsmat OF the poor
girl. whose anxiety In the search hal
been inferior only to her own.
Though poorsand an orphan, Nancy
had some honest pride; she immediate
ly turned out the whole contents o;
her kist tbox). unstrung her pocket
in Mrs. Simpsons presence. and ran
with tears in her eyes to tell the min
lister.
As was then common in the country
parishes OF Scotland. difficulties ind
disputes. which might have employed
the writer's and puzzled the magis-
trates were referred to his arbitration.
and thus law suits and scandal pre-
vented. The minister had heard, as
who in Bathgate had not? of Mrs
Simson's 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 be-
lieve 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 ms
tress, bearing a message to the effect
that he and two of the elders who
happened to reside in the n%eighbor-
hood would come over the following
evening, hear what could be- said ol
both sides and. if possible, 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 mulch
that 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 follow
ing day-when the summe sun was
wearing low and the field work was
over--they were all assembled in the
clean-scoured kitchen, the minister,
elders, and neighbors soberly listen
ing 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 partly 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 a room for ye here,
G%eordy," said the widow; we're on
weigLty business"
''Weel men," said Geordy. turning
to depart, 'it's of nae consequence. l
only came to speak about your
spoons
'Hae We heard O. themr cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat
Il couldna miss bein' blessed VII
the precious gift o. hearin'; and,
what's better. l saw them" said
Geordy.
Saw them. Geordy? Whar are
they? and here's a 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 unguard-
ed. l thought some ill-guided body
might covet it, and jist laid it by, l
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 reve.
lation Nancy Campbell had brought
down the proudly displayed but eve
! rpened bible. and interspersed be-
tween its leaves lay the dozen OF long
sought spoons.
Tho minister OF Bathgate could
scarcely command his gravity while
admonishing Geordy on the trouble
and vexation his trick had caused.
The assembled neighbors laughed out
right when the daft man. pocketing
the Widows shilling. which he had
clutched in the early part OF the dis.
course assured them all that he kenned
Mrs. Simpson read her bible SO often
the spoons would be certain 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 fire.
sides Of the parish. Mrs. Simpson
was struck dumb. even from scolding.
The discovery put an end to her os.
tentatious professions. and, it may be
hoped. turned her attention more tc
practice. By way OF making amends
for her unju1t imputations on Nancy
Campbell, she consented to receive
her as a daughter-in-law within the
same year; and it is said there was
peace aver after in the farm house; but
the good people OF Bathgate, when
discussing a character of more pre-
tence than performance. still refer to
Widow Simpsons spoons. Romance.