The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-06-15
NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS.
Mrs. Eolden's Plan, and How it
Succeeded

"hN' Soou HOTHlHS. MARY i
haven't seen you in an age" said litt.e
Mrs. Wells. rs she met her friend. Mrs.
Holden. in an upholstery wareroom.
one morning. "Are you looking at
the new furniture?"
mo. want to select carpet this
time" answered Mrs. Holden. Give
me the benefit of your good taste. will
your"
'-Oh. certainly. such as it is. you're
welcome"
You see, I've been buying house
since YOU were over last and my par
lor-carpet won't fit"
Indeed? You have really found a
home to please you. them"
II think we have ut last"
SIS it nice place? But needn't
ask that"
''Well. we are very fully satisfied 90
far. both with the location and the
house itself"
"Where is it. Mary?"
mo. 81 Oak street."
''Oh. Mary Holden! l hope not.
Dear, how odd,' And Mrs Wells be-
gan to laugh.
'Why. what do you know about it,"
asked Mrs. Holden, quickly.
1T is the very house we lived in two
years ago"
There! remember now. knew
the place looked very familiar when we
went over it. called on you there;
that was it. Is there any thing wrong.
COra?''
Not with the house-oh, no. 1t is
a nice. handy place-good water.
woodsked. cellar. large pantries. fine
ventilation-every thing all right.
Mary. 1t wasn't the house that drove
us away"
"Wcll. what then. Cora: The place
isn't haunted. is it," asked Mrs. Hoi-
den. laughingly.
''Ies. it is. BY the very worst kind
Of a spirit-a gossiping woman. Mary.
the next-door ne:ghbor. is a regular
nuisance-that is. if she still lives
there; and i suppose she does. for they
own the property. and wouldn't be
likely to leave it,
us the name Gordon?'
YES"
''Thcn she's there yet. Gordon is
the name on the next house.
well, Mary. you know I'm not
given to gossip; but I'll tell You this
we moved on that woman's account"
''You did? Come. now; you must
tell me all about it .Forewarned.
forearmed.' You know.
I'll tell you; but rs You have real
" taken the house, ] don't see what
good it will do now. In the first place.
she IS the worst borrower you have
ever seen. l like to be as neighborly
and kind as anybody; but you know
that sort Of thing can be made a real
trouble. And she did ask for the most
absurd things! Idon't believe 1 ever
had a new bonnet o. a new pair of
shoes or gloves. that she didn't want
the first wear"
'.But you surely did not lend her
such things?" said Mrs Holden.
IL often did; beca, Sc if didn't, she
would tell such tales. She'll give You
the history of the whole square. the
first time you see her. and then give
yours to them in her own fashion. Her
talking was worse than her borrowing.
And the things she borrowed either
came back entirely ruined. or never
came at all. Groceries and articles of
that kind never returned; and, at last.
John said he couldn't stand it 1t
was too expensive to live near her.
Then. when we had company, she new.
er failed to pop in for something. just
to satisfy her curiosity. Altogether. it
was too annoying for US and we moved.
I'm almost ashamed to tell you all this;
but you'll soon find out that l haven't
told You half
I'm very glad you did tell me.
Cora. / know now on what grounds
TO meet her. think shall be able to
manage her."