Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-01-08
MIR. cos rELLO'S WOOING.

New York Verdi
The widow Cummiskey was
standing at the door of her little
millinery store in Avenue D, the
other evening, as Mr.. Costello came
along. Mr.. Costello stopped.
"GoOd evenin' to you, ma'am, +"
said he.
"Good evening to you, Mr.. Cos
tello," answered the widow.
Z" It's fine weather we're havin',
ma'am," continued Mr.. Costello.
at is, thank God" replied Mrs.
Oummiskey, "but the winters
comm at last, and it comes to all,
both great and small"
"Ahl' said Mr.. Costello, "but
for all that 1T doesn't come to us all
alike. Now, here are you, ma'am,
fat, rosy an good lookin', equally
swate as a summer greenin', a fall
pippin or a winter russet .
"Arraah, hould yer whisht now,'
interrupted the fair widow, laugh
ing. "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' be the door, lookin' at the
people passin', for company's sake,
like, and Pm sure the kettle must
have sung itself hoarse."
Mr.. Costello needed no second
invitation, and he followed his hos.
tess into her snug back room.
There was a bright fire burning in
the little Franklin stove, the tea
kettle was sending forth a cloud of
steam that took ruddy glow from
the freight, the shaded lamp on
the table gave a mellow and sub
dued light to the room, and it was
all very suggestive of comfort.
"It's very cosy ye are here, Mrs.
Cummiskey," said Mr.. Costello,
casting look Of appreciation
around the apartment.
EYES," replied the widow, as she
laid the supper, it is that whin l
do have company"
"Ah," said Mr.. Costello, "it
must be lonesome for you with only
the cat and your cup O tay."
"Sure it is," answered the widow.
"Bnt take a seat and set down, Mr..
Costello. Help yourself to the fish
an don't forgit the purtaties. Look
at him; they're Splittin' their sides
with laughin'."
Mr.. Costello helped himself and
paused. He looked at the plump
widow, with her arm in that grace
full position assumed in the pouring
out of tea, and remarked: "Pm
sinsible of the comforts of a home,
Mrs. Oummiskey, though I've none
mesilf. Mind now, TIE difference
between the taste o tay made and
sarvcd that-a-way and the tay they
gives you in an atin-hOuse,
"Sure," said the widow, "there's
nothin' like q little. home of yer
own. | wonder ye never got mar
rit, Mr. Costello"
81 was about to make the same
remark in reference to yersilf,
ma'am," answered Mr.. Costello.
" God keep us" exclaimed Mrs.
Cummiskey; "aren't | a widder
woman this seven year?"
"Ahp reioined Mr.. Costello,
"but it's thinkin' | was why ye
didn't get marrit again"
Swell, it's sure | am" said the
widow thoughtfully, setting down
her teacup and raising her hand by
way of emphasis, ethere 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
thing wild him, and he was as hu-
mersome as q monkey. You favor
him very much, Mr.. Costello. He
was about your hight, and dark
complexioned, like You"
"Ahl" exclaimed Mr.. Costello.
He often used to say to me, In
his banterin' way, Sure, Nora,
what's the worrnld to a man whin
his wife is a widderY mRnin', you
know, that all the timptations in
luxuries Of this life can never folly