Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-03-21
WINNING A WIDOW.
The World is Nothing to Man Whose
Wife is a Widow.

Wife is Widow.
The widow Cummiskey was standing
at the door of her little millinery store
in Newark avenue the other evening
as Mr.. Costello came along Mr.. Cos
tello stopped
Good evenin' to you, ma'am
said he.
Good eyenin' to you, Mr.. Costello"
answered the widow
It's fine weather we're havin',
ma'am," continued Mr.. Costello
1t is that, thank God, replied Mrs,
Cummislley, "but the winters comm
ut last, and it comes to all, both great
and small"
All y said Mr. Costello, but for all
that it doesn't come to us ali alike.
Now, here you are, ma am, fat, rosy, an
good lookin', equally sWate as a sum-
mer greenin', fall pippin or Il winter
russell"
Arrah, hould yer whist, now" in
terruptcd 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 | was only standin' in the door,
lookin' at the people passin for COM
pany's sake, like, and Pm 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 Il
bright fire burning in the little Franklin
stove, the tea table was sending forth
cloud Of steam that took Il ruddy glow
from the freight, the shaded lamp on
the table gave 4 mellow and subdued
light to the room, ana it was all sugges-
tive of comfort.
It's very cosey We are here, Mrs.
Cummiskey," said Mr. Costello, casting
Il look ofappreciation around the apart
ment.
Yes" replied the widow, as she laid
the supper, it is that Whin | do be
hayin' company.
All" said Mr.. Costello, it must be
lonesome for you with only the cat and
yer cup o tay."
Sure it is" answered the widow.
But take a safe and set down, Mr.. Cos
tello. Help yourself to this fish an
don't forget the pertaties. Look at
Them they're splittn' their sides with
laughin'."
Mr.. Costello helped himself and puas-
ed He looked at the plump widow,
with her arm in that graceful position
in the pouring out of tea, and remark
ed, Q I'm sinsible of the comforts of q
home, Mrs Commiskey, though I've
none myself Mind now, the difference
between the taste O tay made and sarv-
ed that away and the tay they gives
you in 'ating house"
Sure" said the widow, " there's
nothin' like home of yer own.
wonder We never got marrit, Mr..
Costello
Il was about to make the same re
mark III reference to yerself, ma'am,"
answered Mr.. Costello.
God help us" exclaimed Mrs Cum
miskev, aren't | 4 widder woman this
Seven years p
Al, :, reioined Mr. Costello, but its
thinking | was Why're didn't get marrit
again.
Well, its sure | am, said the widow.
thoughtfully, setting down her teacup
and raising her hand by way of empha-
sis, "there never was q better husband
to any woman than him that's dead
and gone, heaven save and rest his sOwl.
He was that asy child could do anythin'
with him, and he was as humorous as
4 monkey. You favor him very much,
Mr.. Costello He was about your
height, and Completed like YOU"
All y exclaimed Mr.. Costello.
He often used to say to me in his
bantherin' way. Sure, Nora, what's the
worruld to man whin his wife is
widder.' manin' you know, that all the
temptations an Injuries of this life can
never folly AMMAN beyant the grave.
Sure, Nora, says he, what's the worruld
10 man when his wife's 4 widdel.'
All, poor John =
1t was sinsible sayin', that" re-
marked Mr.. Costello, as he helped him
self to more fish.
Imind the day John died" continu-
ed the widow. He knew everything
to the last, and about four in the after
noon-it was II minutes past exactly,
be the clock, that he died-he says to
me, Nora, says he, you've been 4 good
wife, says, he an I've been Il good
husband says he, an so there's no
love lost between us, says he, and |
could give We a good charackter to any
place, says he, an wish you could
do the same for me where I'm goin',
says he, but it's case equal,
says he, every dog has his day, and
some has a day and half says he,
an says he, III know more in a bit
than Father Corrigan himself says he,
but III say now says he, that I've
been q true son of the church. says he,
so I'll not bother my brains about it.
an says ne, says he, [ lave We in good
hands, Nora. for | lave We in your own
hands, says he,' an if at any time We
see emmy wan We like better nor me,
marry him, says he. All, Nora, says
he, for the first time speaking 1t solemn
like, All, Nora, what is the worruld to
a man when his wife IS widder ?"
And, says he, | lave $50 for masses. and
the rest | lave to yourself, said he, and
needn't tell We to be good mother to
the children says he, for well we
now there are none All, poor John