The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-09-07
BLOSSOMS AND GOSSIP.
A Much Needed Lesson Taught a
Meddleeome Woman.


moved ia. / only said there had been
two women folks looking at it"
For the lands sake, what is this
world coming to9 Two women looking
at the river housed Well. neveSr'
When Mrs Miranda Simpkins sold;
''Weil. neverl" in that particular
tone, you were 70 understand there was
nothing more - be said But this time
there seemed 70 be, for she coutinued;
We'll, oil have got 70 soy IS that
they must he strangers for of course
they won't take It."
But they did take it" 10 el insisted
'.snd they are going TO send their ssrv-
ant to clean II ior them right away"
Now, Joel Simpk;ns, tell me all you
know about the matter, and hCw you
found it out.
'why, Bill Jones told ne You
know he has all the money he can
make by renting the old house, bot be-
tween you and Ize | didn't never De
heve he would let it But he has, sure
enough"
For the lands sake-them poor crit
ters going in therel 1 tell you what
'tis, Joel, it's dreadful, and feel II my
duty TO warn them Where did you
say they lived?"
Goodness me, Mirandy, how shocld
| know where they live?'
Why didn't you ask Bill JonesP
The-e or-ht TO be something done
sbou; it
Well don't see what IL is to Us, or
what ve eau do"
''TM tel you one thing you might do.
loel Siup1inS You might ask Fred
Persons yghy he don't come round here
nc more lie came half dozen tines
~ see Sally, and then stopped comm,
II you was the right kind Of father,
you'd try to make a match tween hicl
and our daughter Sally. He's rich
dreadful rich and our gal don't wait
70 have to drudge the way have
'sally's heap prettiern ever you
was, but she's jest as bad when her
tongue gets to wsgging at gossip-snd
Parsons is q man with enough sense 20
understand that he ought 70 Keep
a~ay.- said Joel--but he said 1t under
his breath
May blossoms and the new tenants
had come together, and, though the
river house might &c haunted. one OF
the most beautiful orchards anywhere
near New York was part of the es-
tate.
Mrs Simpkins, directly she learned
that servant was cleaning the river
house, started on her errand. As she
entered the gate she looked ali around.
IS 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
wss met BY buxom Irish maic-of-all-
work, who was singing ct the top of
ner voice, and worked away with a
will, seemingly not caring fig for his
ghostship On seeing the stranger
Biddy stopped, and, restinG on her
broom, said:
Morning, mun!"
MIS- Sinpkins paid no attention TO
her greeting, but olurted out:
My poor girl. Go you know where
ycu be?"
''Shure. and that Is what do, num-"
answered Biddy. with CHEEKY laugh
"Do you know this house is haunted
Oat cvcry night at midnight old John
Smiths ghost goes roaming through it
slamming doors and groaning Jest
dreadful?"
Yes, num-" said Biddy.
And does your mistress know itP"
Yes, mum-a by told her the other
day whin she came down here"
And is sbe coming in the face of all
this?''
No, mum; she and Miss Nora are
coming on the cars, mum
BE you an idiot?"
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"
We'll, ! neverl" exclaimed Mra Simp-
kins, as she turned and left the house.
while Biddy resumed her song: "Me
Darlint, Sweet Nora ONeil"
Its my opinion, Joel Simpkins, that
they're queer lot down there in that
river house" said Mrs Simpkins on
reaching home
What makes you think so Nj
randy?"
well, l went down there 10 tell
them about the ghost and would you
believe II? That servant Of theirs said
she just dotted on ghostsY'
Whats their name2'
''ONeiL guess"
"Didn't you ask?"
''No. wes so upset forgot II. But
the Irish girl called one OF them Miss
Nora, and when come away heard
her singing about her darling. Miss
Nora O'Seil. so l reckon that's her
mama / Jest think that IRISH girl is
dumbed idiot"
A law days later Joel Simpkins told
his wife that the folks had arrived at
the river house.
Accordingly, Mrs Slmpkius called
second time at the haunted house.
This time she was met By q middle
aged lady Of fne appearance, who
greeted her pleasantly. but rather form
ally.
How do you do, MrR OSeil?' Mrs
Simpkins said. "I am MrA Joel Simp-