Year: 1875

"Indeed, is that all she came for?" he in
quired.


"No, she exchanged a gold piece for
bills"


The Elder left the bank in deep thought
He came to the conclusion that this curl
osity only yeiled a deeper motive. lie now
| no longer entertained doubt that the Wild
ow had found pot of gold in her cellar,
and appearance seemed to indicate that its
probable value was at least equal TO Sl0,-
coo. The gold piece which she had ex-
changed at the bank appeared to confirm
this story.


81 rather think" said the Elder, COM
| pacently, "I can see into a milestone about
as far as most people" A statement the
literal truth of which l defy any one to
question, though as to the prime fact of
people being able to see into milestone at
all, doubts have now and then forced them
selves upon my mind.


The next Sunday the widow appeared at
church in new and stylish bonnet, which
led to such remarks as these


"Iow much vanity some people have, TO
be sure"


GLOW woman that has to keep boarders
for living can afford to dash out in such a
bonnet is more than | can tell. | should
think she was old enough TO know better"


The last remark was made by young
lady just six months younger than the wild
ow, whose attempts to catch second hus-
band had hitherto proved utterly unavail-
ing.


81 suppose" continued the same young
lady, "she is trying to catch a second hus-
band with her finery. Before I'd conde-
scend to such means, I'd drown myself"


In this last amiable speech the young
lady had unwittingly hit upon the true mo-
tive. The widow was intent upon catching
Elder Boyd, and she INDUCED in costly
bonnet, not because she supposed he would
be caught with fnery, but because this
would strengthen in his mind the idea that
she had stumbled upon hidden wealth. The
widow calculated shrewdly, and the display
had the desired effect. Monday afternoon
the Elder found an errand that called him
over to the widows. 1t CHANGED to be Just
about tea time. He was importuned to stay
to tea, and somewhat to his own surprise,
actually did.


The polite widow, who knew the Elders
weak point, brought one of her best mince
pies, piece of which her guest partook OF
with zest


you'll take another piece, know" said
She


"Really, am ashamed" said the Elder,
but passed his plate "The fact $, your
pies are so nice, don't know when to
stop"


'Do you call those nice ?" said the widow,
modestly. 81 call them common. | can
make good mince pies, when | set out to, but
this time didn't have as good luck as COM
mon."


81 shouldn't want any better" said the
Elder.


"Then hope, if you like them, you will
drop into tea often. We ought to be more
neighborly."


Elder Boyd assented, and he meant what
he said The fact is, the deacon began to
think that the widow was very charming
woman. She was very cOmely, and then
she was such an excellent cook. Besides
he had no doubt in his own mind that she
was worth a considerable pile of money.
What objection could there be to her be-
coming Mrs. Boyd? He brought the question
before her one evening. The widow blushed,
proiessed to be greatly surprised. In fact
she never thought Of such a thing in her
life, but, on the whole, she had always
thought highly Of the Elder, and to cut the
matter short, she accepted. A month later
she was installed mistress of the Elders
large house, somewhat to the surprise of the
village people, who could not conceive how
she brought him over. Some weeks aitel
the ceremony the Elder ventured to inquire
about the pot Of gold which she had found
| in the cellar.


spot of gold" exclaimed the widow, in
surprise 81 know of none."


But you asked me about whether the
law could claim it" said the Elder discon-
| cerned.


"Oh, lor' Elder, only asked for Gu,
riosity."


"And was that the reason you made in
quires at the bank ?"


Certainly What else could it be ?"


The Elder went out to the barn, and for
half an hour sat in silent meditation. At
the end Of that time he CALCULATED as a
closing consideration


"Aiter all, she makes good mince pies"


1t gives me pleasure to state that the un,
ion between the Elder and the widow provet
a very happy one, although to the end o.
his life he could never make up his minc
about the "pot of gold"