The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-04
in THE TEA CUP.

One evening at tea 1 saw my wife give
her tea cup whirl, and then attentiveiy re.
gard the grounds in it.
"What's that, my dear?" L said. "Not
telling your fortune in tea cup"
Mrs. Jones looked confused for moment
But when L began to laugh she bridled up
''YOu men think yourselves very wise,
she said, ''and laugh at such things. But
for all that, have known many a fortune
told in tea cup. In fact" here she hest
tated and blushed again; but then went on
quickly, ain fact first knew was to marry
you by consulting tea cup"
"Indeedr' cried 1, my skepticiem quite
staggered. allow was it my dear7'
"Just like you men," she answered trium-
phansly, "full of curiosity, though you say
we women have it ALL" And with these
words she composedly lifted the the pot, filled
her cup, and went on tantslizingly with hel
meal in silence.
"Now, my DEAR" began cosxingly.
"Now, Mr. Curiosity" she retorted archly
AS the children had been put to bed al
dusk, according to custom, and there was nc
one else by, rose from my seat, crossed
over to Mrs. Jones, put my arm around her
neck, and kissed her.
"Well, WELL" she said, crimsoning like q
young girl, and evidently grati6ed, "you are
"a tease, Smith; L suppose must; so sit
down and behave yourself" And she ar.
ranged her collar with considerable display
"You remember when L lived with Uncle
Joshua and Aunt Sarah" she began, ut last
after this was finished.
''Of course, my love-" 1 replied, "whc
could forget your uncle's venerable pig
tail? No ofiense, hope. You must own
that he was rather an odd-looking fish,"
"he was a good uncle to me-" said my
wife, with touch of sadness in her rebuking
voice. "He took me when was an orphan
and maintained me till married you"
made my peace again by kiss. L am
afraid my young lady readers will think me
very rude for it; but, nevertheless, truth
must be told. And now my wife proceeded:
"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
neglect of Patty Walker, your partner
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, SC
that we thought no one heard us; but, all al
once, Aunt, who had ears like cat, rose
and came toward us. Whats that hear,
she said; 'Sary Ann got a new beaul
Well, declare, there never was such girl
she has twenty sweethearts where l had
one You know, Smith, how jealous you
used to be2"
''Pshaw," said ], show you women i'm.
agine things!
"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 cups, and said: 'I'll tell you your
fortune, Sary Ann, in the good, old-fashioned
way; there's nothing like fairgrounds
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 together,
she said; that means that danger is near.
It's the danger of your driving your lover
away by flirting, my dear she continued.
But here's clear path, winding through a
promises fairl And ring, too which
words she pushed her spec
tacles up from her nose, and looking at me,
said: Its 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 sweethearts.
That FITTINGS the danger that is threatened.
If it's safely got over, all the rests fortune.
She raised her voice at these words, which
woke up Uncle, who had been taking a nap.
He growled out: Now, wife, don't be max
ing a fool of yourself and the girls by tell
ing fortunes; 1 declare you women are
ounces, anyhow, or you wouldn't believe in
such stuff So we had no more that night.
But you know, Smith, 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 reas-
on to believe in telling fortunes with tea.
cups, haven't IL"
What could 1 say? Should / outrage
the afectionate creature by telling her that
i doubted her conclusions, though fully ad-
mitted her premises2
Sand besides she added, with look that
reminded me of our days of courtship, "I
have been both rich and happy ever since.
Richer than ever expected to be in my
most romantic moments, for uncle and aunt
we're poor, as well as old-fashioned. and liv-
ing away of in the country as they did.
neither Jane nor had always what Others
considered merely necessary comforts. How
ever, uncle and aunt did for us all thew
could, she added, a tear coming into her
eye.
"They were excellent people," / said,
drawing closer to my wife; and ashamed of
myself for ever having laughed at the cue
of the one or the cap Of the other. al love
them for your sake.'
A grateful look was my reply, and hid
ing her head on my breast, my wife pro-
ceeded:
"And then, as aunt prophesied, 1 have
been so happy. too, you bear with my faults
so kindly, Smith; and, besides, / am not
strong AID cost you great deal of money;
you might, perhaps have been happier if you
bad married q healthier, better wife"
Her tears were now flowing fast. But
they were tears of JOY more than Of sorrow.
l kissed her fOrhead fondly, resolving never
again TO find fault, even in my own heart,
with her i should be sad dog, L thought,
If did.
] am not convinced even 70 this day, that