Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-09-26
NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS.
Mrs. Holden's Plan, and How IL
Succeeded.

why, good morning, Mary! L
haven't seen you in an age" said littlo
Mrs. Wells, rs she met her friend, Mrs.
Holden, in an upholstery wareroom,
one morning "Are you looking at
the new furniture?"
mo, i want to select a carpet this
time" answered Mrs Holden. Give
me the benefit of your good taste, will
youp"
"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"
"IndeedP You have really found a
home TO please you, thenF"
al think we have ut last"
as it nice placer But needn't
ask that"
well, we are very fully satisfied so
Tar, both with the location and the
house itself"
"Where is it, MaryP"
mo. "a Oak street."
"Oh, Mary Holden! l hope not.
Dear. how oddr And Mrs. Wells be-
gan to laugh.
"Why, what do you know aboutitp"
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,
Corap"
Not with the house-oh, no. 1t is
nice, handy place-good water,
woodshed, cellar, large pantrics, fine
ventilation-cvcry thing all right,
Mary. 1t wasn't the house that drove
us away"
well, what then, CoraP The place
isn't haunted, is itg' asked Mrs. Hol-
den, laughingly.
Eyes, it is, By the very worst kind
Of spirit--a gossiping woman. Mary,
tho next-door neighbor, is regular
nuisancc-that il. if she still lives
there; and / suppose she does, for they
own the property, and wouldn't be
likely to leave j"
"Is the name Gordonp"
Yes"
"Then 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 didp Come, now; you must
tell me all about it. 'Forewarned,
torearmed,' you know.
"Tll tell you; but, as you have real
ly taken the house, / don't see what
good IL will do now. In the first place.
she is the worst borrower you have
ever seen. ] like to be rs neighborly
and kind rs anybody; but you know
that sort of thing can be made real
trouble. And she did ask for the most
absurd things! don't believe ever
had new bonnet or new pair Of
shoes or gloves, that she didn't want
the first wear"
''But you surely did not lend her
such thingsP' 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
hrst 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 aud articles of
that kind never returned; and, at last,
John said he couldn't stand il. II
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 il
was too annoying for us and we moved.
I'm almost ashamed to tell you all this;
but you'll soon find out that | haven't
told you half"
"Tm very glad you did tell me.
Cora. | know now on what grounds
to meet her. think shall be able to
manage her."
I'D like to know how" laughed
Cora Wells. cts more than I could
do, I'm sure"
oh, won't tell you just now But,
II succeed, I'll let you know the re-
suit"
"All right. I'll give you month. "
"Well, I'll report Now let us look
ut the carpets" And the two ladies
were soon deep in the comparison OF
Brussels and Wilton. which the oblig.
ing clerk displayed to the best advan.
tage.
In due time, Mrs. Holden was costly
settled In her new home. While she
was moving. she had several glimpses
Of Mrs. Gordon at the double pump, on