Arizona republican., 1894-10-03
MRS. SIMPSONS SPOONS
Their Disappearance Led to @
 Strange Revelation.

The parish of Bathgate in Linlith- gowshire ought to be reckoned among the classic spots of Scotland, inas- much as it formed part of the dowry which Robert the Bruce bestowed on his eldest daughter, Margery, when of Scotland, and thus became the progenitrix of the royal and unlucky house of Stuart.
 Lying midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow, those rival queens of the east and west, but out of the common track of traffic and travel, it has been for ages pastoral parish of small and rather backward farms.
 Among its peaceable and industrious population liv ed the Widow Simpson
 This lady valued herself, not on the farm left her by the good man who had departed this life some seven years be- fore the commencement of our story, for it's acres were few, and they con sisted of half-reclaimed moorland; not on her grown-up son, Robin, though he was counted likely and sensible lad; not on her own thrifty housekeep- ing, though it was known to be on the "tight-screw' princlple; but on the possession of dozen silver teaspoons.
 Her account of them was that they had belonged to the young chevalier and had been bestowed upon her grandfather in return for entertaining that claimant to the British crown on his march from Culloden, in proof of which she was accustomed to point out a half obliterated crest and the initials c. S., with which they were marked.
 In the family resided one Nancy Campbell, girl about nineteen, who was suspected of having taken a fancy to Robin, who reciprocated the sentiment. Nothing, however, would soften the heart of the widow as re- gards the match, until at last the fol- lowing event occurred and caused her to give way. About the haymaking time distant and comparatively rich relation was expected to call and take tea one evening on his way from Linlithgow.
 It was not often that this superior relation honored her house with a visit, and Mrs. Simpson, determined that nothing should be wanting to his entertainment, brought out the treas ured spoons early in the forenoon, with many injunctions to Nancy touching the care she should take in brightening them up.
 While this operation was being con ducted in the kitchen, in the midst of one of those uncertain days which vary the northern June, a sudden darkening of the sky announced the approach of heavy rain.
 The hay was dry and ready for hous- ing. Robin and two farm men were busy gathering it in; but the great drops began to fall while consider able portion yet remained in the field, and, with the instinct of crop preser- vation, forth rushed the widow, fol- lowed by Nancy, leaving the spoons half secured on the kitchen table. In her rapid exit the girl had forgotten to latch the door.
 The weasel and the kite Were the only depredators known about the moorland farm; but while they were all occupied in the hay field, who should come that way but Geordy Will son.
 We'll, the kitchen door was open and Geordy stepped in. He banged the settle with his staff, he coughed, he hemmed, he saluted the cat, which sat purring on the window seat, and at length discovered there was nobody within. Neither meal nor penny was to be expected that day; the rain was growing heavier, some of the hay must be wet, and Mrs. Simpson would return in bad hunor.
 But two objects powerfully arrested Geordys attentions; one was the broth pot boiling on the fire, and the other the silver spoons scattered on the table. Bending over the former, Geordy took a considerable sniff, gave the ingredients a stir with the pot stick, and muttered: Every thin"
 His proceeding with regard to the latter must remain unmentioned; but