The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-04-28
IN THE TEA.CUI,.

in THE TEA.CUP.
One evening at tea. saw my wife give
her tea-cup q whirl, and then attentive!y
regard the grounds init.
"What's that my dear?" I said. "Not
telling your fortune in tea-cup?'
Mrs. Jones looked confused for mo-
ment. But when I began to laugh she
bridled up. "You men think yourselves
very wise," she said, "and laugh at such
things. But, for oil that, have known
many fortune told IN tea-cup. In fact,
then went on quickly, "in fact, first knew
was to marry You by consulting tea
cup:
Indeed" cried I, my skepticism quite
staggered. "How was it, my dear?"
Just like you men," she answered, tri-
umphantly, "full of curiosity, though you
say we women have it ALL" And, with
these words, she composedly lifted the tea
pot, filed her cup. and went on tantalizing-
ly with her meal in silence.
Nov, my DEAR" began. coaxingly.
Now, Mr.. Curiosity" she retorted,
archly.
AS the children had been put to bed at
dusk, according to custom, and there was
no one else by, rose from my seat, cross
ed over to Mrs. Jones, put my ann around
her neck, and kissed her.
well, well," she said, crimsoning like
young girl, and evidently gratifed, you
are tease, Smith; suppose I must; so sit
down and behave yourself" And she re-
arranged her collar with considerable dis
''You remember when lived with Uncle
Joshua and Auet Sarah,' she began, at last
after this was finished.
''Of course, my love-" I replied, ''who
o1osc Ao:1
No offense, hope You must own that he
was an odd-looking fish,
He was good uncle to me, said my
wife. with touch Of sadness in her rebuk-
ing voice. He took me when was an or
phan and maintained me till married you"
made my peace again by a kiss. I am
afraid my young lady readers will think me
very 1ude for it; but, nevertheless, truth
must be told.
"Well, the very night after the great
' sleighing party, on which was introduced
to you, and when, if you remember, you
would dance with me so often, even to the
Cousin Jane was joking me about it, as we
washed up the tea things. Uncle was sit
ting by the fire, and aunt beside him, so
that we thought no one heard us; but, all
at once, aunt, who had ears like cat, rose
and came toward us. What's that hear?'
she said; 'Sary Ann got new beau? Well,
Ideclare, there never was such a girl; she
has twenty sweethearts where had one'
You know, Smith, how jealous you used to
''Pshaw," said I, show you women i'm
agine thiDgs!'
"Jane up and told her all about it," con-
tinued my wife, little crest fallen; and
when she had concluded, Aunt Sarah took
one of the caps, and said: "I'l tell your
fortune Sary Ann, IN the good, old fash
ioned way; there's nothing like tea grounds
they're sov'rin, my child With that she
whirled the cup around, and when she had
done, held it to the candle, all three of us
looking in. ''See them leaves close togeth-
er,' she said; that means that danger is
near. It's the danger of your driving your
lover away by flirting. my DEAR she con-
tinued. But here's a clear path, winding
through dark wood, with no stalks to cross
it; that promises fair! And ring, too,
words she pushed her srectacles up from
her nose, and looking at me said
It's as clear as daylight. Sary Ann,
you're to marry this new beau, and
be both happy and rich, unless you
prove your own enemy, by flirting with
other sHeethearts. That flirting's the dam
ger that is threatened. If it is safely got
over, all the rests fortune She raised
her voice at these words, which woke up
uncle, who had been taking nap. He
growled out: Now, wife, don't be making
fool of yourself and the girls by telling
fortunes; I declare you women are ounces
anyhow, or you wouldn't believe in such
stuff So we had no more that right.
But you know, Smith, I did marry you; and
you know that, once or twice, what you
called my flirting had nearly broken every
thing between us; and so have good rea-
son to believe in telling fortunes with tea
cups, haven't II"
What could I say? Should I outrage
the affectionate creature, by telling her tlat
I doubted her conclusions, though I fully
admitted her premises?
"And besides" she added, with look
that reminded me Of our days of courtship,
Il have been both rich and happy ever
since. Richer than ever expected to be,
in my most romantic moments, for uncle
md aunt were poor, as we'll as old fashion
ed, and living away off in the country as
they did, neither Jane nor I had always
what others considered merely necessary
comforts. However, uncle and aunt did
for us all they could" she added, a tear
coming into her eye.
''They were excellent people," said,
drawing closer to my wife; and ashamed of
myself for having ever laughed at the cue
Of the one or the cap of the other. II love
them for your sake"
A greatful look was my reply, and hiding
her head on my breast, my wife proceeded:
And then, as aunt prophesied, have
been SO happy too. You bear with my
faults so kindly, Smith; and besides I am
not strong and cost you great deal of
money; you might perhaps have been hap
/ n rrio o6 ho%ko
wife"
Her tears were now flowing fast. But
they were tears of Joy more than sorrow. 1