The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-08-14
Widow Tipperary's Coup ;

BY NJ. wYCKOFF

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When Michael Tipperary went sky
ward on a blast he left behind hin
a widow. $500 in life insurance ana
three children. For while the Wild
ow Tipperary was inconsolable; then
she returned to her looking glass. But
the children!' That was the pity OF It,
Coogan. the saloon man, paid his ad-
dresses for a spell and was seen no
more. Dinneen, the district leader,
called a few times and never came
again. That they admired the widow,
she was more than certain. That
they were ready, willing and anxious
to ask her to name the day, she had
no doubt. That the latter event did
not transpire, she blamed upon her
membranes. For who-'twas thus
she reasoned-would care to wed a
widow, however desirable, when such
venture involved the simultaneous an
nexation of three obstreperous and
unkempt kids? So the widow con-
tinued to gaze sorrowfully into her
mirror and bewailed the fate that
robbed her of her prospects.
1t was in September that the
Eighth District Chowder Association
held it's annual picnic. The widow
was there-alone. In due time she
was introduced to Officer Mulligan,
a handsome bachelor. Officer Multi
gan was smitten at first sight. For
the remainder of the day he scarce
took eyes off the buxom lady. To
getheH they nibbled nectar in its pic
mic aspect or hot frankfurter saus-
ages; together they slipped ambrosial
chowder; together they wandered by
the sands of the sea and watched the
ships as they fitted to and fro over
the sun-kissed waters. Ere long Of
f1cer Mulligan, by dint of close ques.
tionipg, learned that his partner was
widow and therefore matrmonially
eligible. She also divulged her ad-
dress and he asked her permission to
call. In an evil moment she told him
she was alone-all alone in the world.
Whence this tale. ,4a,.
The next morning the Widow Tip
perary held converse with her neigh
Dor, Mrs. Doogan, anent the events
OF the preceding afternoon. ut wor
a foine time.' said the widow coyly,
IAN met yer frien' Mulligan, a foine
mon. Bechune the two OF US now,
be had Dyes fer no wan but me from
the time we met. An what's more,
he's asked permission ter call. He's
comm Froiday night"
BUT the childer," said Mrs. Doo-
gan. Il suppose you know he hates
childer. He hate 'em worse nor
poison. 1t wor only last week he ar
rested them Dooley kids fer obstruc-
tin the sidewalk. He jes' dispises
.childer."
The widow sighed YEARLY. Il knew
that So told him wor alone"
How can you kape thin when he
comes to see your"
'T1l send thin away"
But il he's really serious he'll
come often-and unexpected" said
the practical Mrs. Doogan.
The widow sighed again and be-
came sorrowful.
Presently Mrs. Doogan smiled. II
hov it!' she cried in triumph. II
how scheme thatIl do the business.
Listen. II the oficer ever catches
sight of the childer, and he's shure
to do that, tell him they're not your
childer at all. Tell him you kape
school. Tell him they're somebody
else's childer that are sent to you to
git an dedication. You must coach
the childer, of course. Tell Tommy
his name is not Tipperary at all, it
b Cassidy. You are not his mother
ct all, at all. Willie can be his broth
er, another Cassidy. AS for Maggie,
her n&me Is O'Brien"
'I'll do It," said the widow.
In furtherance of the scheme Tom
my was duly informed that evening
- to the new facts concerning his ex-
istence. TOMMY was . bright boy;
1cmeeen years on the city streets had
equipped frim with wisdom far beyond
- yeaEs. Hs at once comprehended