Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-04-02
IRISH GOURTSKiP.
The Widow Cummis<ey and Mr.. Costello.
How the Widow Won a Husband---A
Cup or Tea Did IL.

cup OF Tea Did IL.
Tho Widow Cummiskey was standing
at the door OF her little millinery store in
Avenue d, as Mr. Costello came along
Mr.. Costello stopped.
"Good evenin' ioyou, ma am said he.
Good evenin' to yos. Mr.. Costello, y
answered the widow.
"Il's fine weother we're hsvin' ma'sm,
continued Mr.. Costello.
"It is thet, thank Cod replied Mrs.
Cummiskey, "but the Winters comm ut
last, and it comes to al, both great and
small"
"Ahm said Mr. Costello. But for all
that it doesn't come to US all alike. Now,
here are you. mA'am. fat, rosy. an good
lookin'. equally swste as Summer
Greenin', a Fall Pippin, or Winter
Risset-"
"Arrah, hould yer whish., now" inter-
rupted the fair widow, laughing. Much
an old bachelor like you knows about
apples or women. Bat come in. Mr..
Costello, an take a cup of tay with me,
for | was only s,andin' be the doore,
lookin' at the people passin' for company
sake like, and I'm sure the kettle must
have sung itself hoarse."
Mr. Costello needed no second invita-
ton, and he followed his hostess into her
snug back room. There was bright
fire burning in the little Franklin stove,
the tea-kettle was sending forth cloud
OF steam, that took a ruddy glow from
the ire-light; the shaded light on the ia
BILE gave a mellow and subdued light TO
the room. and it WAS all very suggestive
OF comfort.
"I!s very coy ye are here, Mrs. Cum
miskey," said Mr.. Costello, casting a
look OF appreciation around the apart
ment.
"Yes," replied the widow, as she laid
the supper, "it IS that, whn l do have
company"
"Ah." said Mr. Costello, "it must be
lonesome tor you with only the cat and
yer cup o. tsy."
Sure it is" answered the widow.
"But take safe and set down, Mr.. Cos
tello. Help yersilf to toe fish an don't
forgit the purtaties; look at thin they're
split,in' their sides with laughin.'
Mr. r.Csstello helped himself and paused
He looked at the plump widow, with her
arms in that graceful position assumed in
pouring ont Of tea, and remarked, "rm
sinsible OF the comforts of homo, Mrs.
Cummiskey, though I've none meselt.
Mind now, the differance between the
taste o. tay made and sarved that way
and the tsy they gives You in an atm
house,
Sure" said the widow, there:
nothin' like a little home OF yer own.
wonder We never got msrrit, Mr.. Cos
tello."
II was about TO make the same remark
in reference to yersilf, na'am." answered
Mr.. Costello.
God keep u.s." exclsimed Mrs. Cum
miskey. "arsn't widder womsn this
seven year,
"Ah," rejoined Mr.. Costello, "but it's
thinkin vas why ye didn't get msrrit
again"
"Well, it's sure am" said the widow
thoughtiuly. setting down her teacuI
and raising her hand by way OF emphasis
There never was a better husband to any
woman than him that's dead and gone
heaven save an rest his sowl. He wa:
that asy a child could do anythin' with
him, and he was as humorsome as mon
key. Yon favor him very much, Mr.
Costello. He was about your height, au
dark Completed like you"
"Ahw exclaimed Mr.. Costello.
"He often used to say to me in his ban
therin way. Sure, Nora, what's the
worruld to a man whin his wife is wild
der?' manin', you know, that all thI
temptations az luxuries of this life car
never folly man beyant the grave
Sure, Nora, says he what's the worrulC
to man whin his wife is a widder p Ah
poor Johnl"
at was a sensible sayin'. that" re
marked Mr.. Costello, as be helped him
self to more fish.
81 mind the day John died." continued
the widow. "He knew everything to tn
last, and about four in the aiternoon-i
was seventeen minutes past five exactly
be the clock, that he died-he says to me
Nora says he, you've been gooC
wife, says he, an I've been good hus
band.' says he, an so there's no love los
betune u.s. says he, AN | could give y
| a pood char.ak-thur bo any plaoe., sav