Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-06-27

house were not frequent; and n M
avoided Widow Simpsons from the day
of her loss, IL was believed Gcordy
knew that neither her temper nor hel
liberality would be improved by thai
circumstance.
Lost the spoons were beyond doubt
and the widow bsde fair 10 lose hes
senses. The rich relation came at his
appointed time, and had such tea that
no 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 o 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.
II 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 incressin.
breadth to Robin. who could not help
thinking his mother was losing her
Judgment, she one day pumped the
charge, to the utter astonishmept and
dismay of the poor girl, whose anxiety
in the search had been inferior only to
hcr own. Though poor and an orphan.
Nancy had some honest pride; she i'm
mcdiately turned out 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 Bathgste had
not-of Mrs. Simpsons loss. Like tho
rest Of the parish, he thought II 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 retsrn 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 II pos
sble 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 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 tho summer sun was wear.
ing low and the field work was over
they were all assembled in the clean
secured kitchen, tho 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 accompaniments OF staff and wal.
let.
There's nae room for ye here, Geor.
dy," said the widow; "we're ON weighty
business"
"Weel, men," said Geordy, turning
to depart, "it's Of nae consequence. ]
only came TO speak about your spoons {"
"Hae ye heard O. themY' cried Mrs.
Simpson, bouncing from her seat.
81 couldna miss beein blessed wi the
precious gift Of hearin, and, what's bet.
ter, i 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.
ly produced.
"Weel," said Geordy. II slipped in ae
day, and seein the siller unguarded
thought some i'll guided body might
covet it, and jist laid 1t by, i may say,
amang the leaves o. that Bible, thinkin
you would be sure to SEQ 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 troubls and vex.
alton his trick had caused. The as.
sembled neighbors laughed outright