Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-10-16
GRANDFATHER
A NAPLES GHOST.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Mrs. Maple ltrlu-uOuSe was dSodil-
I'D by a December snOw-storm, whose /
sharp needles were rafting against the
easement; pa,ter, patter, the last dead
leaves of the old sycamore tree drifted
down upon the door-stonc.
I, was an old, old house, and Mrs.
Mamie was an old, old woman. But
vou will sometimes find tufts OF snowy
blossoms bursting from age-lichened
apple-trees, and sprays OF greenery on
the boughs OF century-old oak-trees;
and so it happened that Minnie Maple,
the ancient crone's great-granddaugh
tor VS. the bud and blossom Of her
worn-out life.
Old Mrs. Maple owned house and
land and had money out at interest;
Int she was a shrewd old lady, and
liked to keep her affairs in her own
hands. And pretty Minnie, albeit an
heiress in spective, taught the dis
trict school, and took care OF the farm
dairy out of hours.
"it won't hurt her to work for her
living if she is to be rich one of these
days." said Mrs. Maple. Il worked
when I was girl"
And upon this dreamy December
night Mrs. Naples swift knitting
needles cleaned like steely lightning
in the freight; and Minnie sat on
low chair beside her. mending table,
cloths. while ever and anon a big drop
would plash down upon the darned
spots like a glistening globule Of dew.
But grandmother, why?" burst out
Minnie a. last, with blue eyes lifted up
like for-get.me-nots drenched in rain,
to the old lady's parchment-like face.
because l say So" said old Mrs.
Maple. And the fire cracked, and
the snow clicked softly against the
window-panes, and the knitting-needles
made zigz ags of light as they flew back
and forth.
"But you say. yourself grandm other.
that he's good young man." pleaded
Minnie.
Old Mrs. Maple nodded.
Without bad habit in the world"
And again old Mrs. Maple nodded
like Chinese mandarin in collec-
ton of curiositieS.
.And forehanded with his FARM"
For the third time Mrs. Maple nod
ded.
Then, grandmother, why won't you
consent to our marriage?" urged tine
girl.
Child" said Mrs. Maple, turning
her spectacle glasses full upon Minnie S
sweet, fower-like face. give told you
why half a hundred times! It's be-
cause your great.grandfather Maple
and his great-grandfather we're mortal
enemies. Because your grandfather 5
last words upon his deathbed were
Il leave my soul to Heaven, my
money to my dear wife. and my ever
lasting enmity TO Job Crofton""
But, grandmother" said Minnie
with a shudder, ''that was very wick
ed! And surely, surely, the shadow
OF a tombstone should be a reconcilia
tom
Old Mrs. Maple shook her whit
head.
Your grandfather was very win
dictive man, Minnie" said she; g
never disobeyei him living, and
never will disobey him dead!"
but, grandmother" coaxed Minute
with her fresh cheek against the oil
lady's hand, ''he would't know Il
How could he?"
Child, child, your Grandfathe
Maple knew everything" said the oil
lady, with II sudden superstition
glance over her left shoulder, AS some
thing seemed to rustic ut the cast
ment. And l do believe his gho'
would haunt me if didn't give goo
heed to his. last words. No, no; Gil
bert Crofton can nsver be your hu:
band, and you may as we'll give up IL
idea first as last"
And Minnie Maple cried herself
sleep that night.
"ForI never, never can marry hi
without Grandmother Naples co
sent" size sobbed. Jpn stay sing
for his sake until the day of my deaf
but / never can disobey the kind o
soul who has taken mothers pla
to me and brought me up from
baby
But the next night there was
apple bee at Deacon Dangerield's. a
Minnie Maple was there. Glide
Croftun did not make his appearan
until late.
Gilbert" said the little .fance. W
sat reproachfully amid crims
avalanche OF apples, "what max
you so late?"
ave been busy" said Glide
''But never mind so long as I'm
time fO. the VIRGINIA reel