The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-12-07
MRS. ROONEY'S TWINS.

Patsey and JameseY We're twins
s'both twins" as their mother. Mrs
Rooney, was wont to explain; "bUt fo
all o that no more alike from the tim,
they was born into the world thai
black and white!
.Why, when the two of 'em was LITTLE
toddlin' things, wasn't that Patse,
a-sprawln' and rootin' around from
mornin' till night like little pig, ant
as continued, too, if only his mouth wa:
filled. And there WIS .amesey be
times, a-sittin' dacent and quiet, witt
his bib tucked under his little chin. and
his face as clane aad white as bran
new chiny saucer!
'tAhi he was a born gintleman-was
Jamesey!'
And so she seemed to regard him al
ways as sort of superior being, and
sacrificed herself and Patsey to him
with strange, unreasoninG devotion.
Patsey 50 far shared her infatuation
that he never dreamed OF considering
himself for a moment where Jamesey's
interests were concerned.
As child, he went cold and hungry
and ragged that Jamesey might be COM
fortably cared for.
AT school he fought his battles and
bore his punishments, too, when he
could; even his mother, with unmoth-
erly injustice. whenever she found the
boys guilty OF any childish misdemean-
or, was apt to beat poor Patsey enough
for the two. Jamesey escaping with a
sharp word or cuff.
As natural consequence, Jamesey
grew up lazy, selfish, disagreeable
fellow. but Patsey was a universal fav-
-orite.
The girls all liked him; and one,
Katy Sullivan, had given him her whole
warm Irish heart.
Katy was the handsomest and smart
est girl in the world-that is, in the lit
tie world in which she and the two
brothers lived and moved-and the
modest Patsey never gave over wonder
ing how it was she came to fancy a
lad like him; still he none the less
cherished the dream of one day making
her his wife.
Like two sly Irish lovers, as they
were, they had thus far kept their own
counsel, and nobody was whit the
wiser for their bright hopes and plans.
Dut " ctccN Ue OUT
in time that this secret hope even must
Abe dragged out and offered up to the
Moloeh OF his brothers needs and de-
sires.
The two were sitting. one evening,
on the doorstep of their little home,
when Katy Sullivan CHANGED to come
along. She stopped moment for
pleasant word with them, and then
passed on.
Jamesey turned to his brother with
conscious smile:
show is that for girl, for a wife, We
know?' he asked, pointing his thumb
over his shoulder.
"For wife. is it?" echoed Patsey,
with guilty start. his heart jumping
up into his mouth; s.for a wife? Whose
,wife?''
-'For my wife, of course, We galoot, :"
answered Jamesey; Ibid We suppose
meant for yOnr wife?''
oh, no. no"' murmured Patsey, con-
well, then. an what do YOU think
OF her?" persisted Jamesey, squirting
at the point of the stick he was whit
Ting, with one eve critically shut up.
Patsey lifted his right hand slowly to-
ward Heaven, and pressed the other to
his heart; look of blank despair came
into his boyish face.
"What do think of Katy Sullivan?n
he made out to utter at last.
Jamesey turned round impatiently.
'What do We mean by akin me ques-
tons over and over after me, Can't We
give civil answer? Now, then"
Strengthening up, swelling out his stom-
ach and putting both thumbs in the
arInholes of his vest; s'now. then. what
do you think of Katy Sullivan for wife
for Jamesey Rocney?"
''tor the matter O. that" said poor
Patsey, driven to the wall. ..she's tit to
be kings wife any day."
Jamesey nodded his head with great
satisfaction.
Handsome isn't she?" with another
nod.
Handsome as painted picture,f
assented Patsey, writing.
land healthy and smart. as well,
.Jamesey goes on. shell run her four
looms a day and dance all night; and
then bedad, veil see her as fresh as a
rose in the mornin.' And kind-isn't
she, now?"
.'Kindn' groans Patsey. s'Oh. but
her heart is as warm as roasted per-
taty jist out o. the oven?'
Me lad, think | can't do BETTER
says Jamesey. in conclusion, slapping
him on the back.
Patsey was struck, at the same time,
with sudden idea.
''See here" said he, slowly, KATY is
q girl with a mind of her own. She
may have made it up to some other lad
already. l wouldn't set me heart on
her if was you.
His brother waved his hand.
s'Jamesey Rooney ginerally gets his
will, he said, grandly,
But Patsey was not so sure. The
more he thought the matter over the
more he felt convinced that Katy's true
heart would be proof against even
Jamesey's destinations; and the idea
caused his bosom to swell with Joy and
triumph. But at the same time the con-
sideration that be himself was the one
TO stand between Jamesey and his '.wilI'
struck terror TO his heart
He lay awake half the night. and in
the morning, still troubled and con-
fused, he resolved to 90 to his mother.
having the instructive feeling that
Jamesey's interests were always safe in
her hands.
So after breakfast he followed her out
into the little shed where she was wash
ing.