Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-07-06
rAEFY AND TEA.
The sacchnrinc Courtship OF a Pair Of
Back Numbers.

Back Numbers.
The widow Cummiskey was standing
at the door Of her millinery store, Ave.
nue. d, the other evening, as Mr.. Co.'S
tello came along. Mr.. Costello stopped.
Good evening. ma'am." said he.
Good evening toyou, answered the
widow. ats fine weather were hav.
Ing ma'am," continued Mr.. Costello.
ut Is that, thank Cod" replied Mrs.
Cummislsey, but the winter coming ut
last. and II comes to all both great and
small"
"Ah," said Mr.. Costello. "but Tor Ill
that it doesn't come to all of us alike.
Now here you are mn'am, fat, rosy an'
good looking-equnlly sweet rs sum.
mer greening, a fall pippin' or win.
ter russet"-"Arrah hOuid yer whist
now" interrupted the fair widow,
laughing. "Much an old bachelor
like you know about apples or
women. But come in, Mr.. Cos
tello, and take cup Of tea with
me, for ! was only standing bc the
door loolsin' at the people passing for
company sake like, nnd am sure the
kettle must have sung itself hoarse. "
Mr.. Costello needed no second invita-
tion, and he followed his hostess into
her snug back room. There was a
bright fire burning in the little stove,
the tea kettle was sending forth II
cloud OF steam that took ruddy glow
from the fire light.
"Ah," said Mr.. Costello. "it must he
lonesome. for you with only the cat
and the cup Of tea"
''Sure il is" answered the widow.
''But take a seat and set down. help
yourself TO the fish, and don't forget
the prnties; look ut them; they are
splitting their sides laughing"
Mr. Costello helped himself and
paused. lie looked ut the plump widow
with her arms in the graceful position
assumed in pouring out the tea. and
remarked: I'm sensible OF the com.
forts Of home. Mrs. Cummiskcy. al
though I've none myself. Mind now
the difference between the taste of the
tag they gives YOU in an attn house
and the taste of the tea here"
''Sure it wonder you never got mar
ried, Costello" Il was about to ask
yerself that same question" God
keep us! Aren't widder this seven
years" "Ah, was thinking why yer
didn't get married again"
"Ah, he often used to say sure Nora
what is this world to man whin his
wife is u wdder. All, poor John"
ut was a sinsible saying that" re-
marked Costello, helping himself to
more fish
"Ah. Nora" says he, II have fifty
dollars for masses and the rest lave
to yer self. All. poor John! viii yer
have another cup of ten Mr.. Costello"
at must have been hard on YER"
said Mr.. Cos,eiin. Thank yer man, no
more
at was haid," said Mrs. Cummiskey,
sand so got this place and here am
to-day"
"Ah," said Mr.. Costello, here 1--WE are
both OF us"
Here we are sure enough" rcjoined
the widow.
And SO mind ye Of him do I,"asied
Mr.. Costello.
THAT We do, answered the widow.
snow with me sittin' here and You
sittin' there you might almost think
we were married again." said Mr.. Cos
tello.
"Ah! go way now, fora tayze yer
are" exclaimed the widow, mussing
her apron.
81 disremember what it was he said
about seeing any man you liked better
than him." said Mr.. Costello. drawing
his chair little nearer that of the
widow.
''lIc said, Nora said he. II at any
time you see n man you like better
than me, marry him. says he"
ibid he say anything about any one
We liked better than himself"
al don't mind that he did"
II suppose he left that to yer self"
pursued Costello.
Faith an don't know thin" an.
swered Mrs. Cummiskev.
Dye We think yer like me well as
him?' asked Costello.
"Ah go way for taze." exclaimed
the widow.
He moved his chair still nearer and
stole his arm around her waist.
Never you think 'am ticklesome,
Mr.. Costello" says the widow.
"Tell me-" he insisted, do you like
me as well us him."
I'll most-I most disremember how
much liked him"
well thin" said Costello, enforcing
the question by gentle squeezes of the
widows round waist, do you like me
well enough as MYSELF"
Hear the man!- exclaimed the
widow, derisively; do like him well
enough as HIMSELF"
"Ah! now, don't be breaking me
heart" pleaded Costello. ANSWER me
this question, Mrs. Cummiskey: Is yer
heart tender towards me?"
at is" answered the widow, IAN
there now yer have it"
GLORY be to God!" exclaimed the
happy lover, and he drew the not-un-
willing widow to his bosom.
A few minutes after Mrs. Cummiskey
looked up. and as she smoothed her
hair said: But James, We haven't told
me how ye liked yer tea"
"Ah. Nora, me jewell" answered Mr..
Costello, "the taste of that first kiss
would take away the taste Of all the
tay that ever was brewedy"--N. Y. Re-
corder.
Dangerous Music Lessons.
Professor-Tommy, you are not
studying your music lesson as you