Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-14
MRS. ROONEY'S TWINS.

Patsey and Jamesey were twins
"'both twins" as their mother, Mrs.
9 Rooney, was wont to explain; "but for
all o. that no more alike from the time
they was born into the world than
black AID white!
"Why, when the two of 'em was little
toddlin' things, wasn't that Patsey
.a%-sprawlin' and rootin' around from
mornin' till night like q little pig, and
as continted, too, if only his mouth was
filled! And there WIS Jamesey be-
times, a-sittin' dacent and quiet, with
his bib tucked under his little chin, and
his face as clane and white as a bran
new chiny saucer!
"Ah! he was a born gintleman-was
-Jamesey"
And so she seemed to regard him al
ways as a sort of superior being, and
sacrificed herself and Patsey to him
with strange, unreasoning devotion.
Patsey SO far shared her infatuation
that he never dreamed of considering
himself for a moment where Jamesey's
interests were concerned.
AS a 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 q cuff.
AS a natural consequence, Jamesey
grew up a lazy, selfish, disagreeable
fellow, but Patsey was q 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
we're, they had thus far kept their own
counsel, and nobody was a whit the
wiser for their bright hopes and plans.
But to Patsey's dismay he found out
in time that this secret hope even must
be dragged out and offered up to the
Mcloch Of his brothers. needs and de-
ssires.
The two were sitting, one evening,
on the doorstep of their little home,
when Katy Sullivan CHANGED to come
along. She stopped a moment for a
pleasant word with them, and then
passed on.
Jamesey turned to his brother with a
conscious smile:
elbow is that for a girl, for a wife, We
know?" he asked, pointing his thumb
over his shoulder.
"For a wife, is it?" echoed Patsey,
with a guilty start, his heart jumping
up into his mouth; ''for a wife? Whose
wife?"
"For uy wife, of course, ye galoot,"
answered Jamesey; ''did we suppose 1
meant for yoa7' wife?'
'Oh, no, nor murmured Patsey, con-
fuscdly.
"Well. then, an what do you think
of herr" persisted Jamesey, squirting
at the point of the stick he was whit
llluS. NlulO lC cSc Cl1llCtll1 Suu ups
Patsey lifted his right hand slowly to-
ward Heaven, and pressed the other to
his heart; q look Of blank despair came
into his boyish face.
"What do l think of Katy Su~llivan?"
he made out to utter at last.
Jamesey turned round impatiently.
''What do We mean by akin me ques-
lions over and over after me! Can't ye
give a civil answer? Now, them"
Strengthening up, swelling out his stom-
ach and putting both thumbs in the
armholes of his vest; snow. then, what
do YOU think Of Katy Sullivan for a wife
for Jamesey Rooney"
"For the matter O. that" said poor
Patsey, driven to the wall, ''she's tit to
be a kings wife any day."
Jamesey nodded his head with great
satisfaction.
Handsome isn't she?" with another
nod. 49,.
Handsome as a painted pictured"
assented Patsey, writing. 49,.
'.And healthy and smart, as WELL"
Jamesey goes on. ''SheIl run hertour
looms a day and dance all night; and
then bedad, yell see her as fresh as a
rose in the mornin.' And kind-lsn't
she, now?'
'.Kind!" groans Patsey. "Oh. but
her heart is as warm as a roasted per-
taty list out O. the oven?" -.
"Me lad, I think I can't do better''
says Jamesey, in conclusion, slapping
him on the back.
Patsey was struck, at the same time,
with a 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. I wouldn't set me heart on
her if I was YOU"
His brother waved his hand.
"Jamesey Rooney ginerally gets his
WILL" he said, grandly,
But Patsey was not so sure. Inc