Page:Poems Sherwin.djvu/52

 to recover it; but all was of no avail, and a week passed away without our hearing any tidings of the lost things. It was supposed that some gypsies, which had lately been encamped in the neighbourhood, must have carried them away.

"At the next washing-day, Betty Edwards, our washer-woman, asked mother if she had been to consult old Jonathan about the loss of her linen. At first my mother ridiculed the idea of his being able to give her any assistance; but after Betty had told her of many instances of things which had been long lost, having been again recovered by his means, she began to think there could be no harm in paying him a visit, and ascertaining what he would be able to do in the matter; but she was enjoined by Betty to keep her intentions a profound secret.

"Accordingly, to make no delay, she went the same evening to the cottage of Jonathan, and found him at home. After she had told him all the particulars of her errand, he looked very grave for some time, without speaking, but at length said "he would do what he could for her." He then produced several very large and very old books, the leaves of which he turned over, appearing to read and make calculations for more than half an hour, during which my mother's patience was nearly exhausted. At length he told her that he did not think the things were taken out of the village, and asked her if she had suspicion of any person. After considering for a little time, she told him she thought she had, but did not like to say. This intelligence seemed