The Widow's Stratagem.

think it was only curiosity , likewise gave additional probability to the suggestion . I will Avait ancl watch , " saicl the Elder . It so happened that Elder Boyd Avas one of the directors of a savings institution situated in the next town , ancl accordingly used to ride over there once or twice a

month to attend meetings of the board . On the next occasion of this kind the WKIOAV Hayes sent over to knoAv if he Avould carry her Avith him , as she had a little business to attend to there . The request was readily accorded . Arrived at

the village , Mrs . Hayes desired to be set down at the bank . " Ha , ha ! " thought the Elder , " that means something . " He said nothing , however , but determined to come back and find outas he could

, readily from the cashier , what business she had with the bank . The widow tripped into the office , pretending to look very nonchalant .

" Can you give small bills for a ten dollar gold piece T she inquired , " AVith pleasure , " Avas the reply . " By the way , '' said she , " the bank is in a very flourishing condition , is it not . " " None in the State on a better footing , " Avas the prompt response .

" You receive deposits , do you not 1 " "Yes , madam , we are receiving them every clay . " " Do you receive as high as ton thousand dollars ?"

" No , " said the cashier , Avith some surprise ; " or rather Ave do not allow interest on so large a sum . Do you know of any one who—" " Its of no consequence , " said the widow , hurriedl y . " I only asked for curiosity . By the waydid hoAV much

inter-, you say est you allowed on such deposits as come within your limits ? " " Five per cent ., ma ' am '" "Thank you . I only asked for curiosit y . What a beautiful morning it is !' Ancl the widovf tripped lightly out .

Shortly after the Elder entered . "How ' s business , Mr . Cashier ? " he inquired . "About as usual . " " Had many deposits lately ?" " None of any magnitude . " " I brought over a Avoman this morning who seemed to have some business Avithyou . "

" The Avidow Hayes ?" " Yes . " "Do you know , " said the cashier , " whether she has had any money left her lately ?" " None that I know of" saicl the Elder ,

, pricking up his ears . " Why , did she deposit any ?" " No , but she inquired whether AV eceived deposits as hig h as ten thousand dollars . " " Indeed ! " ejaculated the Elder . " Is

that all she came for ? " he inquired , a moment afterwards . "No , she exchanged a gold piece for bills . " " Ha ! " pondered the Elder reflectively . " Did she give any reason for her inquiries ?" " No , she said she only asked out of curiosity . "

The Elder left the bank in deep thought , He came to the conclusion that this curiosity only veiled a deeper motive . He no longer entertained a doubt that the widoAV had found a pot of gold in her cellar , and appearances seemed to indicate that its probable value was at least equal to ten

thousand dollars . The gold piece which she had exchanged at the bank appeared to confirm this story . . "I rather think , " saicl the Elder complacently , "that I can see into a millstone about as far as most people . " A statement ,

the literal truth of Avhich I defy any one to question , though as to the prime fact of people being able to see into a millstone at all , doubts have now and then forced themselves upon my mind . The next Sunday the widow Hayes appeared at church in a new and stylish bonnet , Avhich led to some such remarks as these :

"How much vanity some people have , to be sure . " " How a Avoman that has to keep boarders for a living can afford to dash out in such a bonnet is more than I cau tell . I should think she was old enough to knoAV better . "

The last remark Avas made by a young lady just six months younger than the wiclow , whose attempting to catch a second husband had hitherto proved imavailing . " I suppose " continued the same young lady , " she ' s trying to catch a second hus-