St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-07-28
BLOSSOMS AND GOSSIP.
A Much Needed Lesson Taught
Meddleoome Woman.

OAOoN0OASAsS AAAs0
A Much Needed Lesson Taught q
Meddleeome Woman.
Joel Simpkins, you don't mean to
tell me that some one has moved in the
house by the river, do your
mo. / did not shy 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. 1 never!!'
When Mrs. Miranda Simpkins said:
.Well, / never!" 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:
well, all have got to say Is that
they must be strangers. for OF courss
they won't take it"
But they did take it." 10 ell insisted
land they are going to send their serv-
ant 20 clean it for them right away"
"Now, Joel Simpkins. tell me Ill you
know about the matter, AID how you
found it out"
~..Why, Bill Jones told me. You
know he ha, all the money he can
make by renting tho old house. but be-
tween you and me l didn't never be
lieve he would let it Bat he has. sure
enough"
For the lands sake-&hem poor crit.
tiers going in there! tell you what
lis, Joel, it's dreadful. and I feel It my
duty ~ warn them. Where did you
say they 1ived?'
"Goodneas me, MirAndy. hos~ should
know where they liver
"Why didn't you ask Bill Jones7
There ought to be something done
about it."
We'll, don't see what it,is to us. OF
what we can do"
"rll 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
to have to drudge the way have"
.'Sally's a heap prettier'n ever you
,isRs, but she's jest IS bad when her
tongue gets to wagging 1t Rossip-and
Parsons is . man with enough sense 10
Haade stand that he ought to; keep
away" said Joel-but he said Il under
IL. h-.o%h --r 80
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 . part of the es-
tate.
Mrs Simpkins, directly she learned
that a servant was cleaning the river
house, started on her Grand Az she
entered the gate she looked all around.
rs il expecting to ses the ghost then
and there. After trying the knocker
ut the front door with NO result she
went around to the kite chen. Hero she
,WRas met by . buxom Irish maid-of-all.
work. who was singing ut the top Of
-b@r voice, and worked away with q
win. seemingly not caring ; fig for his
Rhostship. On seeing the stranger
Biady stopped, and. refting on her
broom, said:
= Morning, NUM-"
Mrs. Simpkins paid no attention to
her greeting, but blurted out:
E'My poor girl. do you know where
you bc?'
a'"Shure, and that is what do, mum, :"
answered Biddy, with chcery laugh
DO you know this house is haunted
that every night 1t midnight old John
Smiths ghost goes roaming through IL.
siamming doors and groaning jest
dreadful"
Yes. num-" said Biddy.
'.And does your mistress know it7
4 "Yes, mum-a by told her the othe
Gay whin she came down here"
And is she coming in the face OF oil
this?"
NO, mum; she and Miss Nora are
coming on the cars, mum"
'.Be you an IDIOT"
Yes, mum-or, that Il. don't know,
but Miss Nora can tell ye anything the
loike Of ye nd DO wanting to know
whin she comea She just dotes on
ghosts and such thingA"
well, neverv' exclaimed Mrs 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 q queer lot down there in that
river house." said MrA Simpkins. on
reaching home
what makes you think 50. Nj
randy?"
"Well, l went down there to tell
them about the ghost. and would You
believe it? That servant OF theirs said
she just dotted ON ghosts?'
''What's their manner"
''O'Neil. gussA"
Didn't you ssk?"
"No. IVES 20 upset forgot it But
the Irish girl called one of them Miss
Nora, and when ! come away I heard
her singing -1bont her darling, Miss
Nora O'Neil. 20 l reckon that's her
name l jest think that Irish girl is .
dumbed idiot"
A few days later Joel Simpkins told
his wife that the folks had arrived 1t
the river house.
:, Accordingly. Mrs. Simpkins called =
second time 1t tho haunted house.
This time she was met BY . middle
aged lady Of dne appearance. who
greeted her pleasantly, but rather form
ally.
How do you do. Mrs ONeil?" MrA
Simplgins said. ~ an Mrs Joel Simp-
kins, and I an not ashamed OF my
name, either"
III am glad TO hear Of it, MrA Simp-
Eins- Win you walk IMP You are
somewhat mistaken in regard to my
name. II 10 not O'Neil, but Allen"