The interior journal., 1878-03-08
sxss.sa couarixe.


Tur Widow Cummisk.y was stand.
ing at the door Of her little millinery
store. Avenue d. the other ovcning.as
Mr.. Costello came along. Mr.. Cos.
tello stopped.
GOOD evenin' 20 you. man." said
he.
GOOD evening to you, Mr.. Costel-
lo," answered the widow.
"It's fine weather we're havin',
nam" continued Mr.. Costello.
at Is that, thank God" replied
Mrs. Cummiskey, "but the winters
comm at last, and II comes tn all, both
great and small
"Ah." said Mr.. Costello. "but for
all tlatit doesn't come to ne oil alike.
Now, here sre you, nam, fat, rosy,
an good lokin', equally swate rs q
summer greenin', fall pippin. or a
winter rnsset--"
"Arrah, houh yer whist, now in
terrupted the fair widow. laughing.
"Much an old bachelor like you,
knows about apples or women. But
come in, Mr.. Costello, an take a cup
o tay with me, for I was only stand.
in he the doore lcokin' at the people
passin', for company sake, like, and
I'm sure the kettle must have sung Il.
self hoarse."
Mr.. Costello needed no second invi-
tation. and he followed his hoste~iinto
her snug hack room. There was a
bright fire burning in the little Frank.
lin stove, the tea-kettle was sending
forth cloud Of steam that took
ruddy glow from she freight, the
shaded lamp on the table gave q
mellow and subdued light to the
room, and II wac all very suggestive
Of comfort.
ats very cozy ye are here, Mrs.
Cummiskey," said Mr.. Costello, cast.
ing look Of appreciation around the
apartment.
"Yes," replied the widow, as she
laid the supper. sit Is that whin ] do
have company
"Ah,' said Mr.. Costello, ait must
be lonesome for you with only that
cat and yer cup o. tay."
"Sure it is, answered the widow.
"But take safe and set down, Mr.. |
Costello. Help yerself to the fish. nm
don't forgit the purtaties. Look at
thin; they're splitlin' their sides with
laughin."
Mr.. Costello helped himself and
paused. He looked at the plump
widow, with her arms in that grace.
fnl position assumed in the pouring
out of tea, and remarked. I'm sinsi-
bile Of the comforts Of a home. Mrs.
Cummiskey, though I've none myself
Mind. now. the difference between the
taste o tay made and sarved that a
way and the ta they gives you in an
'aiing-honse."
"Sure,' said the widow, "there's
nothin' like little home Of yer own.
! wonder ye never got marrit. Mr..
Costello"
81 was about to make the same re-
mark in reference to yesilf, nam"
answered Mr.. Costello.
"God keep u.s." exclaimed Mrs.
Cummiskey, "asen't widder woman
this seven yearsy'
"Ah." rejoined Mr.. Costello. "but
its thinkin' ! was why ye didn't get
marrit again"
"Well, its sure ! am" said the wild.
ow, ihoughtfnlly, setting down her tea
cup and raising he hand by way of
emphasis, ",here never was better
husband to any woman than him
that's dead and gone, heaven save an
rest his sowl. He was that asy child
could do any thin with him, and he
was as humorsome as q monkey. You
favor him very much, Mr.. Costello.
He was about your height. an dark
completed like you!'
"Ah!" exclaimed Mr.. Costello.
"He often used to say to me in his
bantherin way, Sure. Nora, what's i
the worruld to a man when his wife /,
is n widderY mannin' you know, that \
MI the temptations and Injuries of this
life can never follow a man beyant
The grave. Sure, Nora. says he, h
what's this worruh TO man whin q
his wife is widderg All, poor !
john!" .
at was sensible sayin', that" re-
marked Mr.. Costello. helping him self !,
o more fish.
II mind the day that John died. !.
the widow. "He knew ev.
ny thing to the last, and about four !
u the aiternoon--it was seventeen \
minutes past five exactly. be the 9
lock, that ho died-he says to ms. ! !
Nora says he, you've been a good =
rife. says he, AN I've been good ! !.
usband.' says be. AN 50 there's no 4 /
we lost between us. says he. AN | = :
,uld give you good char-ak.tur to :, :