Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-06-28
BLOSSOMS AND GOSSIP.
A Much-Needed Lesson Taught a
Meddlesome Woman.

mo, l did not say anybody had
moved In. only said there had been
two women folks looking at it."
For the lands sake, what Is this
world coming TOP Two women looking
at the river house! Well, / neverl"
When Mrs. Miranda Simpkins said,
well, / neverl" in that particular
tone, you were 20 understand there was
nothing more TO be said. But this time
there seemed to be, for she continued:
well, all have got TO say is that
they must be strangers, for Of course
they won't take it."
But they did take it." 10 ell insisted
land they are going to send their serv.
ant TO clean It for them right away"
Now, Joel Simpkins, tell me all you
know about the matter, and how you
found 1t out"
why, Bill Jones told me. You
know he has all the money he can
make by renting the old house, but be-
tween you and me | didn't never be-
lieve he would let It, But he has, sure
enough"
For the lands sake-them poor crit
tors going In therel I tell you what
lis, Joel, it's dreadful, and feel II my
duty to warn them. Where did you
say they lived?"
Goodness me, Miraudy, how should
| know where they live?"
why didn't you ask Bill Jones?
There ought TO be something done
about it."
well, don't see what 1t is TO us, or
what we can do"
"Ill tell you one thing you might do,
Joel SimpkinR You might ask Fred
Parsons why he don't come round here
no more lie came half q dozen times
TO see Sally, and then stopped comm.
II you was the right kind OF father,
you'd try to make q match tween him
and our daughter Sally. He's rich
dreadful rich and our gal don't want
to have to drudge the way have"
"Sally's heap prettiern ever you
was, but she's jest as bad when her
tongue gets to wagging ut gossip-and
Parsons is a man with enough sense to
understand that he ought to keep
away" said Joel-but he said It under
his breath.
May blossoms and the new tenants
had come together, and, though the
river house might DO haunted. one OF
the most beautiful orchards anywhere
near New York was part OF the es-
| tate
Mrs. Simpkins, directly she learned
that n servant was cleaning the river
house, started on her errand. As she
entered the gate she looked all around,
as II expecting to see the ghost then
and there. After trying the knocker
at the front door with no result she
went around to the kite hen. Here she
was met by buxom Irish maid-of-all-
work, who was singing at the top Of
her voice, and worked away with
will, seemingly not caring fig for his
ghostship. On seeing the stranger
Biddy stopped, and, resting on her
broom, said
Morning, muml''
Mrs, SimplSins paid no attention to
her greeting, but blurted out:
MY poor girl, do you know where
you be?"
"Shure, and that is what do, num-"
answered Biddy, with n CHEEKY laugh.
"Do you know this house Is haunted
that every night at midnight old John
Smiths ghost goes roaming through 1t,
slamming doors and groaning jest
dreadful2'
"Yes, num-" said Biddy.
And does your mistress know it?"
YES, mum-a by told her the other
day whin she came down here"
And is she coming In the face Of all
thispn
No, num- she and Miss Nora are
coming on the cars, mum"
"Be you an idiot2"
Yes mum-or, that Is, don't know,
but Miss Nora can tell ye anything the
loike Of ye 'ud be wanting to know
whin she comes She just dotes on
ghosts and such things"
well, neverl" exclaimed Mrs Simp-
kins, as she turned and left the house,
while Biddy resumed her song: "Me
Darlint, Sweet Nora o'Neil."
"It's my opinion, Joel Simpkins, that
they're q queer lot down there In that
river house." said Mrs. Simpkins, on
reaching home
"What makes you think SO, Mi
randyp"
"Well, went down there to tell
them about the ghost, and would you
believe it2 That servant of theirs said
she just dotted on ghosts9"
whats their name2"
"o'Neil, ] guesA"
"Didn't you ask2"
mo. was 80 upset forgot It. But
the Irish girl called one OF them Miss
Nora, and when come away l heard
her singing about her darling, Misc
Nora 0'Neil, so l reckon that's her
name. jest think that Irish girl is a
dumbed idiot"
A few days later Joel Simpkins told
his wife that the folks had arrived at
the river house.
Accordingly, Mrs Simpkins called q
second time at the haunted house.
This time she was met by middle.
aged lady of fne appearance, who
greeted her pleasantly, but rather form
ally.
"How do you do, Mrs o'Neil2" Mrs
Simplins said. ~ am Mrs Joel Simp-
kins, and / am not ashamed Of my
name, either"
~ am glad to hear OF it, Mrs. Simp-
kins. win you walk in9 You are
somewhat mistaken in regard TO my
name 1t is not o'Neil, but Allen"
For the lands sakes--l thought II