Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-17
w. D. WALLACH.
BUYING A WEDDING CAKE.

"Yery well, sambO, put 'em down and take
youfself offs
had just finished my breakfast, and the
tiny chockattere, with the bachelor service of
transparent china, still stood on the damask-
draped round-table. 1t was bright little
room, with its white and gold paper and high
hesped crate, on the very gray light of this
chill December morning, when the air was
thick with noilselessly falling snow-hakes; and
this contrast between the bitter atmosphere
without and the tropical warmth Of my own
special nook, gave me an additional conscious
ness Of satisfaction, as 1 leaned back in my
chair and proceeded to examine my CORES
pondencc.
Lee Worcester wants to know If I can come
TO tea this evening. OF course L can Lees
wife is q perfect little rosebud, and one,
besides, who don't believe in cashiering all
her husbands bachelor friends. And then
rather like that brown-eyed sister-in-law of
his. Yes. I'll go, certainly Halloo-here's a
letter from my brother in Glenfeld! l un-
folded the document eagerly, scarcely able, at
first, to credit the tidings il revealed.
''Well here IS a pretty state of things
Going to be married, claims my congratula-
tions, says that Mary (who the dickens is
Mary is in great tribulation about the we'd
ding cake; affair to come off on Wednesday
and no cake to be had for love or money :
Viii be the best fellow in the world, and
send down one from D'Artiers?''
! glanced at the date Of the letter. It had
been delayed for several days on the road, and
there was not q minute TO be lost I rose,
mechanically, and put on my hat and cloak,
giving more heedful gaze at the various direc-
lions about icing, weight and decorations,
which accompanied Toms closely written
epistle, before sailed forth boldly into the
street on my novel errand.
1t was just about one O'Clock, the snow had
ceased falling, and the sun shone brilliantly
D'Artier's was full, of course there was at
least dozen ladies that knew sitting at the
tiny marble tables. tried to assume an air
of easy Impudence, as if had only come in for
use; could not disguise the latent sheepish-
ness Of my aspect as / sauntered up to the
counter.
s'How can I serve you, sir?" demanded the
trim damsel, who presided over the sacchsrine
treasures.
1 muttered something under my moustache,
feeling hot blush suffuse my whole counten-
ance. Why couldn't those inquisitive wo-
men-kind attend to their ice-creams?
"Cske, sir' Certainly. For a party, sir I?
Pound cake, lemon, almond
"No, no" hawled; 81 want Ecsddtng-
cake,t
80, beg your pardon, sir,'' Uttered the
atrociOus shop-woman. Was il reality, or did
/ only fancy that the litter was echoed among
the bonnets and furs beyond? However that
might have been, the mere apprehension
was sufficient to throw me into a cool perspi-
ration.
The next moment, however, the counter was
heaped with various temples of glistening
white sugar, some wreathed with make believe
roses, some surmounted with candy cupids,
others pure white masses of icing. Surveyed
them in a state of hopeless bewilderment
perhaps, sir, it would be better if the lady
Will IN ri al
enemy behind the counter. r-T7-
/ could endure this bsdgering no longer,
but pouncea upon gigantic pyramid Of sugar
lilies, from which peeped up tiny alabaster
cupid.
II will take this; what is the price,"
Fifteen dollars, sir !"
l laid down the money, and never ex-
perienced so delicious a sensation OF relief as
at the moment when thrust the cupid, pack ed
in a round wooden box, under my arm and
rushed out Of the establishment. How gladly
I delivered it to the express agent, who tossed
it on one side, as csrelessly as if the transmits
sion Of wedding cakes were matter Of every
day Oceurrencei
Chow dye do, Golde? When is it to come
off,
';When is ushat to come Off" queried /, con
siderably puzzled at my friend Atherton's ad-
dress.
''Your wedding, to be sure All, you're a
sly dog, to keep US ali in the dark so long"
"YOu can't have been much more in the
dark that / am at this moment, Atherton.
What on earth do you mean ?'
But Atherton only wagged his head know
ingly, and rushed of in pursuit Of stage, say
ing something of which only caught the dis
connected fragments my wife, and 'D'Ar-
tiers"
"Hang that wedding-cake was my inter.
nal ejaculation.
AS 1 pursued my speculative way a tiny
gloved hand was held out from passing car
risge:
'sAh, Mrs. Everlsigh, excuse me for not see-
I'VE all know that love i, blind" sand the
lady, smiling. "NoD 1 see why you haven't
been to see me in such an age! All, you
nsed'n Mt look so unconscious. Ny niece was 81
D'Artier's this morning. and saw how particu-
lar you we're in the selection Of certain
article ,"
Before could explain this piece of circum-
stantial evidence, there was a movement in
the ''lock" of carriages which had caused the
temporary detention of my fair friend, and
her equipage rolled away, with a wave of the
pretty hand within and the archest of smiles
] stood looking after her, with an odd sort
Of impression that should wake up presently
to find myself married to some body, whether
or ne; indeed, was not altogether certain
whether Mrs. Golde was not waiting for me
at homel
How brilliantly the freight and gaslight il.
lumined that cosey little room at lee Worces.
ters, with its pink tinted walls, and the crimson
carpet, sprinkled with small white buds The
piano was open, strewn with sheets of music,
just as il had been left, its pearl keys glimmer.
ing softly in the subdued radiance Of the one
jet Of light that glowed through frosted shade
above. The tea-table was all set had otte,
dreamed Of home Of my own that should be
something like Lee Wercester's, in its snug
evening comfort, and somehow that tea-table
always formed part of the phantasm. There
was something 50 bright and cheerful in the
snowy damask, and the sparkling glass and
glittering china. Old bachelor as was, the
golden blocks Of cake and tiny white mullins,
breaking into crisp fakes that melted in ones
mouth, and amber jellies, quiVering like gi-
gantic jewels through their crystal prison
walls, produced & wonderful agreeable effect
in my epicarean sight. And could imagine
no prettier vision to crown it all, than Mary
Worcester in her crimson merino dress, edged
round the throat with delicate lace, presiding
at the silver tea-urn. Except, perhaps-but
that's neither here nor there. t