Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-09-08

ana Mrs. simpson began TO talk OF get
ting a search warrant for the beggar'
meal pouch. Bathgate was alarmed
through all its borders concerning tn,
spoons; but when almost a month ha,
worn away and nothing could be hearc
Of them, the widows suspicion turnec
from beggars, barns and magpies t,
light on poor Nancy.
She had been securing the spoons
and had left the house last; silver
co uld not leave the table without
hands.
1t was true hat Nancy had Away,
borne an unquestioned character, but
such spoons were not to be met with
every day, and Mrs. Simpson was de-
termined to have them back In her stok.
ing, After sundry hints to Robin, who
could not help thinking his mother
was losing her Judgment, she Que day
pumped the charge, to the utter as
constituent 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 Immediately 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
disputes which might have employed
the writer's and puzzled the magis-
trates were referred to arbitration,
and thus lawsuits or scandal prevent
ed. The minister had heard--as who
in Bathgate had not-of Mrs. Simp-
sons 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 congrega-
ton and he could not believe that the
charge preferred against her was true.
Yet the peculiarities of the case de.
manded Investigation.
With some difficulty the minister
persuaded Nancy to re turn to her mis-.
tress, bearing a message to the effect
that he and two of his elders who hap
pcned to reside in the neighborhood
would come over the following even.
ing, hear what could be said on both
sides, and If possible clear up the mys.
terry.
The widow was we'll pleased to have
the minister and his elders come to in
quire after her spoons, She put on
her best mutch-that is TO say cap
prepared her best speeches and enlist
ed some of the most serious and reli-
able OF her neighbors to assist In the
Investigation.
Early in the evening of the follow
ing day-when the summer sun was
wearing low and the field work was
.over-they were alp assembled in the
clean secured kitchen, the ministers,
and neighbors, soberly listen
ing to Mrs. Simpsons testimony touch.
ing her lost silver, Nancy, Robin and
farm men sitting by until theft
came: when the door, which had
been left half open to admit the breeze
for the evening was sultry-was
pushed aside, and in slid
ieordy Wilson, with his usual accom-.
oaniments OF staff and wallet.
There's nae room for We here,
said the widow; we're on
vcighty business"
"Weel, men," said Gcordy, turning
o depart, "it's nae consequence. |
'nly came to speak about your spoons"
lilac ye heard o. them?" cried Mrs.
simpson, bouncing from her seat.
Il couldna miss bein' blessed wi the
precious gift Of hearin', and, what's
saw them" said Geordy.
Saw them, Geordy? Whar are
hey? and here's a whole shillln' for
e." and Mrs, Simpsons purse, or rath-
r an old glove used for that purpose,
vas inst antly produced.
'Weel," said Geordy, ~ slipped in ae
lay, and seem the siller unguarded
hought some ill-guided body might
it, and just laid it by, l might
ay, nmang the leaves o that Bible,
hinkin' You would be sure to see the
poems when you went to read"
Before Geordy had finished his reve-
alton Nancy Campbell, had brought
|own the proudly displayed but never /
'pened Bible, and -interspersed be-
ween It's leaves lay the dozen of long ,
spoons,
The minister of Bathgate could ,
command his gravity while .,
dmontshing Geordy on the trouble !
nd vexation his trick had caused. +
got many n basin of broth and &,
many a luncheon of bread and cheese Z
N account OF that transaction, with ;
which he amused all the flresides of q
parish. Mrs. Simpson could not !
ven scold. !
by way Of making amends for her ;
MUST imputations on Nancy Camp. I
ell she consented to receive her as a d
aughter-in-law within the same year. 4
nd 1T is said there was peace ever j
fter in the farmhouse, but the good 4,
eople OF Bathgate when discussing a b
haracter of more pretense than per. +.
ormance, still refer to Wido Simp- +
S spoons. Romance.