The sea coast echo., 1894-06-23
BLOSSOMS AND GOSSIP.
A Much Needed Lesson Taught a
Meddlesome Woman.

Joel Simpkins, you don't mean to
tell mc that some one has moved in the
house by the river, do your
No, 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 to? Two women looking
at the river house! Well. neverl''
When Mrs Miranda Simpkins said.
well, | neverw in that particular
tone, You were to understand there was
nothing more to be said. But this time
there seemed to be, for she continued:
We'll, all have got to say is that
they must be strangers for of course
.hey 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 Simpkius, tell me all you
know about the matter, and how YOU
found it 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 1t. But he has, sure
enough"
For the lands sake--them poor crit
ters going in therel I tell you what
Ills, Joel, it's dreadful, and feel 1t my
duty to warn them. Where did you
say they lived?"
Goodness me, Mirandy, how should
| know where they live2"
why didn't You ask Bill Jones?
There ought to be something done
about it,
We'll, don't see what it is to us, or
what we can do"
I'm tell you one thing you might do,
Joel Simpkins You might ask Fred
Parsons why he don't come round here
no more He came half dozen times
to see Sally, and then stopped comm
If you was the right kind OF father,
you'd try to make match tween him
and our daughter Sally. He's rich
dreadful rich and our gal don't want
20 have to drudge the way have"
"sally's heap prettier'n ever you
'as, but she's jest as bad when her
tongue gets to wagging Mt gossip--and
Parsons Is a man with enough sense to
unde stand that he ought to keep
away" said Joel--but he said 1t under
his breath.
May blossoms and the new tenants
had come together, and, though the
river house might be haunted, one OF
the most beautiful orchards anywhere
near New York was a 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 all around
as Il 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 a fig for his
ghostship On seeing the stranger
BiGdy stopped, and, sting on her
broom, said:
Morning num-
Mrs. Simpkins 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 CHEEKY laugh.
do you know this houseis haunted
that every 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 whn she came down here"
And is she coming in the face Of all
this?"
No, mum; she and Miss Nora are
coming on the cars, mum"
"I}e 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"
well, never" exclaimed Mrs. Simp-
kins, as she turned and left the house,
while Biddy resumed her song: ME
Darlint, Sweet Nora 0'Neil."
'Its my opinion, Joel Simpkins, that
they're queer lot down there in that
fiver house." said Mrs. Simpkins, on
reaching home
What makes you think so, Mi
randy?"
'tWel, J went down there to tell
them about the ghost, and would you
believe it? That servant Of theirs said
she just dotted on ghosts2"
whats their nameP"
"ONeil, guess.
Didn't you ask?"
mo. ! was so upset forgot it. But
the Irish girl called one OF them Miss
Nora, and when come away ! heard
her singing about her darling, Miss
Nora O'Neil so / reckon that's her
name. | Jest think that Irish girl is
dunn bed idiot"
A few days later Joel simpkins told
his wife that the folks had arrived at
tie river house
Accordingly, Mrs. Simpkins called
second time at the haunted house.
This time she was met by middle
aged lady OF fine appearance, who
greeted her pleasantly, but rather form
ally.
How do you do, Mrs. o'Neil?' Mrs.
gin,pkins said. II am Mrs. Joel Simp- |
kins. and | am not ashamed OF my |
IN, ,,,a affhar