Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-07-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
An is Fair in Love.
III AMY aANDonss.

OiASAs Na4Iky tuG u6GQlGB OF DeCei0l9F
snowstorm were rafting. against the easement
OF old Mrs. Naples farmhouse patter, patter
the last dead leayes of the old sycamore tree
drifted down upon he,door-stoue.
1t was an old, old house, and Mrs Maple was
an old, old. woman. But you win sometimes
find tufts of snowy blossoms bursting from
age-lichened apple trees, and sprays of greenery
on the boughs of century-old oak trees aud so
it happened that Minny Maple, the ancient
crone's great granddaughter, was the bud and
blossom of her worn-Out life
Ola Mrs. Maple owned house and land, aud
had money out at interest; but she was
shrewd old lady, and liked to keep her affairs
in her own hands Aud pretty Aiinny, albeit
an heiress ip prospective, taught the dIstrict
school, and took care of the farm dairy out OF
hours.
1T won't hurt her to work for her living II
she is o be rich one of these days" said Mrs,
Maple. i worked when 1 was girl"
And upon this dreaTy December night Mrs
Naples swift knittiug-needles cleaned like
steely lightning in the fre-light; and AIinny
sat on low chair beside her, mending table,
cloths, while ever aud anon big drop would
Plash down.upon the darned spots like q gIis-
tening globule of dew.
But rnndmother, Wfyfi,, burst out ATinuy
NJ last, with biHe eyes liited up Ike forgoirins-
nots dreHchsd iii rain, to the old lady g parch-
meut-liItc face
because say so. said old Mrs. Maple
And the Ore crackled, and the snow clicked
softly against the window panes.. and the knit
ting needles made zisLass ii lgA, Us they acy
back and forth.
But you say yourself, grandmother, that ho
is q good young man. pleaded Minny.
Old Mrs Maple nodded
"Without a bad habit In the world!u
Aud again old Mrs. Maple nodded like
Chinese mandarin in collection of curiosities.
:.And forehanded with his farml"
For the third time Mrs. Maple nodded
Then, grandmother, why won't you con-
sent TO our marriage5" urged the eirl.
Child, " said Mrs. Maple, turning her spec
tacle glasses full npon Minny's sweet. aoITer-
like face, ''I'ye told you why, half a hundred
times! It's because your groat-grandfather
Maple and his great-grandfather were mortal
euemies. Because your grandlather's last
words upon his death-bed were: 4 leave my
aoul to Heaven, my money TO my dear wife, and
my everlasting .enrnity to Job CroftOnl'"
'But, grandmother, said Mipuy With ashud-
der, "that was very wicked! Aud surely, the
shadow of q tombstone should be a reconcilla.
tion?"
Old Mrs. Maple shook her white head.
Your grandfather was a very yindictive
man, 1Iinny, said she ~ never disobeyed
him living, and win never disobey him
dead"
"But, grandmother" coa1cd Minny, with
her fresh check against the old lady's hand, che
wouldn't know it. How could he?p.
Child, child, your grandfather Maple knew
everything" said the old lady, with a sudden
superstitious glance over the left shoulder, as
something seemed to rustic ct the easement.
''And do believe his ghost would hannt me II
I didn't give good heed to his last words. No,
no Gilbert Crofton can never be. your hus-
band, and you may as wen give up the idea
first as last"
and Minny Maple cried herself to sleep that
night.
''For 1 never can marry him without grand
mother Mapie's consent" she sobbed. tiII
stay single for his sake until the day Of m Y
death but never can disobey tho kind old
soul who has taken mothers place 20 me and
brought me up from a baby, -. ..l
But the next night there was an apple bee ct
Deacon Dangerleld's and Minnie Maple was
there.
Gilbert" said the Iiitie hauce, who set re-
i Proaehfully amid crimson avalanche Of ap-
ples, what makes you so later
I've been busy, said Gilbert. 'But never
mind so long as I'm in time for the Virginia
reel'
And they walked home togetb er through the
snow-drifts, talking happily Of what might be
if Only Grandmother Naples sdpmantine heart
could be softened.
But late, though It was, with the old clock
on the stroke of one, there was a light shining
redly from the keeping-room windows, and,
through the uncurtainsd easement they ceuId
see grandmother Maple marching up and down
the room like sentinel on duty, her high
heeled boots tapping on the floor, her fingers
ipstinctiveIy wandering around the inside Of
her empty snuff-box.
Sinny hurried into the room.
/ Why. grandmother cried she, s'whateEer
is the matter2 Hero erethe Iogs all burned
down to white ashes and the candle-wiek gut
tteriDg. and You in such . iutter as never wal
What has happened, grandmother
8rs- Maple turned her keen blue eyes upon
her great granddaughter with an expression Of
sleep-walker- - ea
1 ''8linpy come in, said Ehe. .'And shut thai
I door. Is that you Gilbert Crofton, the great
grandson of Job7 Come you in also. Chill
dFensg with her old liands shaking as If palsy
stricken, I've seen a ghost"