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

went with it, as a matter of course
1 am glad to hear it deacon. You
won't think strange of the question, blu
it happened to occur to my mind, and
thought l would like TO have it sat
ished.'
Certainly, widow, certainly sale
| the deacon, abstractedly.
And deacon, as you are here, l hope
you'll stop to dinner with us. 1t will
be ready punctually at twelve
Well, no. said the deacon, Pm OBJ.
LEGGED TO ye, but they'll be expecting
me home.'
AT any rate, Deacon said the wild.
ow, taking steaming mince-pie from
the oven, you won't object TO taking a
piece of my mince-pie; you must know
that | rather pride myself on my mince
pies
The warm pie sent forth such de.
llcious odor, that the deacon was sorely
tempted, and after saying, well, re-
ally with the intention of refusing, he
finished by saying, On the whole, l
guess l will, as it looks so NICE
The widow was really a good cook,
and the deacon ate with much gusto
the generous slice the widow cut for
him; and after a little more chatting
upon important subjects, withdrew in
some mental perplexity.
Was t possible thought he, that
the widow could really have found
pot of gold in her cellar? She did not
say so to be sure, but why should she
show so much anxiety to know as to
the proprietorship of treasure thus
found if she had not happened upon
some? To be sure, 30 far as his knowl-
edge extended, there was no one who
occupied the house who would be in
the least likely to lay up such an
amount of gold; but the house was
one hundred and fifty years old, at the
very least, and undoubtedly had many
occupants of which he knew nothing.
1t might be, after all. The widows
earnest desire 10 have him think it was
only curiosity, likewise gave additional
probability to the supposition.
l will wait and watch thought the
deacon.
1t 30 happened that Deacon Bancroft
was one of the directors in Savings
Institution, situated in the next town,
and accordingly used to ride over there
once or twice month, to attend meet
ings of the Board.
On the next occasion of this kind
Widow Wells sent over to know if he
could carry her over with him, as she
had little business to attend to there.
The request was readily accorded.
Arrived in town, Mrs. Wells requested
to be set down at the bank.
'Ha, hal thought the deacon; that
means something
He said nothing, however, but deter
mined to come back, and find out, as
he could readily, from the cashier,
what business she had with the bank.
The widow tripped into the office,
looking very nonchalant.
Can you give me small bills for q
five-dollar gold piece?' she inquired.
With pleasure, was the reply.
by the way said she, the bank is
in quite a flourishing condition is ii
notp
None in the state on better foot.
ing was the prompt response.
you receive deposits, do you not?
Yes, Madam, we are receiving them
every day.
Do you receive as high as-as five
thousand dollars?'
NO. said the cashier, with some
surprise; or rather we do not allow
interest on so large sum. One thou
sand dollars is our limit, Did you
know of any one who
1T is of no consequence, said the
widow hurriedly: Il only asked fol
curiosity. BY the way did you say how
much interest you allowed on such de-
posts as come within your limit?'
Five per cent, madam
Thank you, only asked for curios
ity. What beautiful morning it isl
And the widow tripped lightly out
Shortly afterwards the deacon entered
'How's business now, Mr.. Cashier?
he asked.
About as usual
Had any new deposits lately?'
None OF any magnitude
l brought over lady this morning
who seemed to have business with you.
'The Widow Wells?'
Yes
do you know asked the cashier
whether she has money left he
lately"
None that know Of said the des
con. pricking up his ears. Why? Di,
she deposit any?'
mo; but she inquired whether W
received deposits as high as five thou
sand dollars
'Indeed' calculated the deacon
WAS that all she came forp' he in
quired moment afterwards.
No; she exchanged gold piece TO
some bills