The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-01-30
Winning a Widow.

at tho door of her little millinery store
in Newark avenue the other evening, as
Mr.. Costello came along Mr. Costello
stopped.
Good cvenin' to you, ms'am,' said he.
Good evenin' to you, Mr.. Costello, u
answered the widow.
! Its fne weather we're havin' ma am, y
continued Mr.. Costello.
1T is that, thank God replied Mrs.
Cunmiskey, "but the Winters coulin'
a, last, ard it cones 20 all both great
and s,nall."
"Ah " said Mr.. Costello, "but Tor ali
that it doesn't come to us all alike.
Now, here are you, ma'am, fat, rosy, an
good lookin', equally swate as Summer
grecnin', fall pippin OF a Winter rus
SET"
"Arrah, hould yer visit, now inter
rupted the fair widow, laughing. "Much
All 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 s;andin' be the doore,
lookin' at the people passin, for company
sake, like, and Pm sure the kettle must
have sung itself hoarse."
Mr.. Costello needed no second invita-
| ton, and followed his hostess into her
snug back room. There was bright lire
| burning in the little Franklin stove, the
tea kettle was sending forth q loyd of
| steam that took ruddy glow from the
freight, the shaded lamp on the table
gave mellow and subtued light 10 the
room, and it was all very suggestive Of
comfort.
Its very coy We are here, Mrs. Cum
miskey," SAID Mr. Costello, casting Il
look OF apprehension around the apart
ment
"Yes," replied the widow, as she laid
the supper, ut is that, whin | do be
havin' company.
"Ah," said Mr.. Costello, sit must be
lonesome for you with only the cat and
yer cup O tay."
"Surc it IS" answered the widow.
''But take safe and set down, Mr.. Cos
;ello Help yer>eli 10 this fish and don't
forget the purtaties Look at them;
they're splittin' theirsides laughin."
Mr.. Costello helped himself and
paused. He looked at the plump widow
with her arm in that graceful position
assumed in the pouring out of tea. and
remarked, I'm sensible of the comforts
of home, Mrs. Cummisky, though I've
none meself, Mind now, the difference
between the taste otay made and served
that way and the tay they gives you in
ating houses
Sure" said the widow, there's
nothin' like home O yer own. won
der We never got marrit, Mr.. Costello"
81 was. about to make the same r,'
mark in reference to yerself, ma'am,
answered Mr.. Costello.
"God keep U.S." exclaimed Mrs. Cum.
miskv, 'aren't ! a wilder woman this
seven yearf'
"Ah," rejoined Mr.. Costello, shut it's
thinkin' I VAS why We didn't get marrit
again"
swell, its sure l am" said the widow
thoughtfully, setting down her teapot
and raising her hand by the way of en-
phasis, "therc never WAS a better hus
band to any woman than him that's dead
and gone, heaven save an rest his so~l.
He was that ssy child could do any
thin with him, and he was as handsome
as monkey. You favor him very
much, Mr.. Costello. He was about your
height and completely like you
"Ah" exclaimed Mr.. Costello.
HE often used to say to me in his
bantherin' way, Sure, Nora, what's the
wurruld to 4 man whin his wife is
wilder, manin', you know, that all the
timp,ations an Injuries of this life can
never folly man beyant the grave.
Sure, Nora, saws he, what's the wurruld
to man when his wife's a ~idder
All, poor Johrl'
az was sensible sayin', that" re-
marked Mr.. Costello, rs he helped him
self to more fish.
Il mind the day John died, continued
the widow. ale knew everything to
the last, and about four in the afternoon
| it was seventeen minutes past five ex-
acty bc the clock that he dicd-hc says
to me, Nora, says he, you've been
good wife, says he, AN l'vc been good