The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-08-11

lively, did she give any reason for in.
quiringp'
No, she said she only asked for
curiosity
The deacon left the bank in deep
thought. He came to the conclusion
that this curiosity only yelled deeper
motive. He no longer entertained a
doubt that the widow had actually found
pot of gold in her cellar, aud appear.
ances seemed TO indicate that its pro.
bable value was equal TO five thousand
dollars. The gold piece which she had
exchanged at the bank appeared to con-
firm this story.
Il rather think said the deacon com.
placently, Il can see into a milestone
about as far as most people "a state
ment, the literal truth of which defy
any one to question, though, as to the
prime fact of peoples being able to see
into a milestone at all, doubts have now
and then intruded themselves upon my
mind.
Next Sunday the Widow Wells APP
peared at church in new and stylish
bonnet, which led to some such re-
marks as these
How much vanity some people have,
10 be sureP
How a woman that has TO keep
bOarders for living, can afford to dash
out with such bonnet is more than l
can tell l should think she was old
enough TO know better
This last remark was made by lady
just six months younger than the
widow, whose attempts TO catch hus-
band had hitherto proved utterly un.
availing.
Il SUPPOSE continued the same
young lady, she is trying to catch a
second husband with her finery Be-
fore | would condescend to such means
Td-I'd drown myself
In this last amable speech the young
lady had unwittingly hit upon the true
motive. The widow was intent upon
catching Deacon Bancroft, and she in
dulged in a costly bonnet, not because
she supposed he would be caught with
finery, but because this would strength
en- in his mind the idea that she had
stumbled upon hidden wealth.
The widow had calculated shrewdly,
and the display had the effect she anti
cipated.
ObdCOu DduCTOll
found an errand that called him over to
the widows. 1t CHANGED to be about
tea time. He was importuned to stay
TO tea, and somewhat TO his surprise,
actually did.
The polite widow, who koew the
deacon's weak point, brought on one of
her best minneapolis, slice of which
her guest partook of with zest.
You'll take another piece l know
said she persuasively.
Really, | am ashamed, said the
deacon, and he passed his plate. The
fact is he said, alphabetically, your
pies are so nice ! don't know where to
stop
DO you call these nice?' said the
widow, modestly. : only call them
common. l can make mince-pies,
when set out to, but this time l didn't
have such good luck as usual
l shouldn't want any BETTER said
the deacon, emphaticelly.
Then hope if you like them, you'll
drop in to tea often. We ought to be
more neighborly, Deacon Bancroft
Deacon Bancroft assented, and he
meant what he said. The fact is, the
deacon began to think the widow was a
very charming woman. She was very
comely, and she was such an excellent
cook! Besides, he had no doubt in his
own mind that she was worth con-
siderable sum of money. What OBJ.
lection could there be to her becoming
Mrs. Bancroft? He brought this ques-
ton before her one evening. The
widow blushed, professed to be greatly
surprised-in fact she had never
thought Of the thing in her life-but on
the whole, she had thought highly of
the deacon, and, to cut short the mat
ter, accepted him.
A month afterwards she was in
stalled as mistress of the deacon's large
house, somewhat TO the surprise of the
village people, who could not conceive
how she had brought him over.
Some weeks after the ceremony the
deacon ventured to inquire about the
pot of gold which she had found in the
cellar.
POT of goldl she exclaimed in sur
prise, know of none.'
But said the deacon Disconnected;
you know you asked me about whether
the law could claim it,
%, lor deacon, l only asked from
curiosity
sand was that the reason you made
inquiries at the bank?'
Certainly. What else could it be?'
The deacon went out to the barn, and
for about half on hour sat in silent
meditation. AT the end of that time,
he CALCULATED, as closing consider
alton. After all she makes good mince
piesl'
1t gives me pleasure to state that the
union between the deacon and the
widow proved very happy one, al
though to the end of his life, he never
could quite make up his mind abont
That Pot Of Gold. Gazette & Courier.