The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-25
BUYING A WEDDING CAKE.

=" Letters, sir, from de pos 0tlice!,'' -, - ~,,
s"'GVery well, Sanlbo, put 'em' down, and
take yourself off"
I had just finished my breakfast, and
the tiny silver chOcktntiere, withthe batch
elOra service of transparent china, still
stood on the damask-d -draped round table.
1t was {; bright little room, with its white
and gold paper, and high heaped CRATE, in
the grey light OF this chill December morn
ing, when the air was thick with nOiseless
snOw-hakes; and this contrast with the
bitter atmosphere without, gave me an ad
ditiOnal consciousness of satisfaction, as |
leaned back in my chair and proceeded to
examine my correspondence. ;ye.g 1G
Lee Worcester wants to know if | can
come there to tea this evening. Ofcourse
can. His wife is perfect little rose
bud, and one. Leside, who don't believe in
cashiering all her husbands batchelor
friends. And then | rather like that
| brOwn-eyed sister-in-law Of his Yes, Ill
go, certainly. Hallo-here's letter from
my brother in Genfield! l unfolded the
document eagerly, scarcely able at first to
credit the tidings it revealed. ,.I 90. tp.
. Well, here is a pretty state OF things.
Going to be married, claims my congratu-
lations, says that Mary (w,ho the dickens
is Mary p is in great tribulatin about the
wedding cake; affair to come off on
Wednesday, and no cake to be had for
'ove or money Will be the best fellow
in the world, and send down one from
D'Artier's?" ''-- B.. - . -!''., '- 'Jf
| glanced at the date of the letter. 1t
hal been delayed several days on the road,
and there was not minute to be lost |
rose mechanically, and put on my hat and
cloak, eivin. more heedful gaze at the
various directions about icing, weight and
decorations which accompanied Toms
closely written epis,le, before sailed
to.t!i boldly to the street on my novel er-
ranf.
1t was just about one O'Clock The snow
had ceased falling, and the sun shone bril-
lantly. D'Arier'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 | had only come in for pound of
chocolate almonds, but it was no use; /
could not disguise the latent sheepish-
ness of my aspect as sauntered up to
the counter. ASH " i'
"How can serve you,. sir 2" inquired
the trim damsel who presided over the
saccharine treasures
muttered something under my NOUS
tache, feeling Il hot blush sutfuse my coun-
tenance Why would not the inquistive
womankind attend to their ice-creams
"Oake, sir?''
.sEort,:,,1,, .r
"For party, sir?" Pound-cake, lemon
and almond-'
'No, no." l bawled out; 81 want a
we ding cake" .. 5..,: ..+
"Oh, l beg your pardon, sir, )" Uttered
the atrocious shopwoman. p .a..t ......,.l
Was it reality, or did only fancy that
the litter was echoed among the bonnets
and furs beyond? However that night
have been, the mere apprehension was
enough TO throw lne into a cold perspira-
ton.
The next moment, however, the counter
was heaped with various temples of glist-
eniEg white sugar, some wreathed with
make-believe roses, some surmounted with
candy cupids, others with pure white
masses of icing l surveyed them in
state of hopeless bewilderment.
"Perhaps, sir, it would be better if the
lady could come with you to select: haz-
arded my enemy behind the counter.
could endure this badgering no Ion
ger, but pounced upon a gigantic pyramid
of sugar lilies, from which peeped up
tiny alabaster cupid.
II will take this-what is the price?"
"Fitteen dollars, sir! " .j.--
laid down the money, and never eX-
perienced so delicious sensation of relief
as at that moment when l thrust the Gu
pid, packed in round wooden box, under
my arm, and rushed out of the establish
ment. How gladly delivered it to the
express agent, who tossed it on one side
as if the transmission of wedding cakes
was to him matter of every day occur
renee. . ...a.;.... ...-,
"How dye do, Golde? When is it to
come OFF," g~ .-.- -o..
"When is what to come OFF," queried
/, considerably puzzled at my friend Ath-
erton's address.
"Your wedding, to be sure. All, you
are a sly dog, to keep us all in the dark so
long!" .as'' -t'ia".'o-.' 80
"You can't have been much more in the
dark than am at this moment, Atherton.
What on earth do you mean?"
But Atherton only wagged his: head
knowingly, and rushed off in pursuit of
stage, saying something of which / only
caught the disconnected fragments, "my
wife " and "D'Artier's." ..sgs ra-y4 :.
Hang that wedding cake! " was my
internal ejaculation. -,r,.. ..... ...., ,....,.'
As | pursued my speculative way tiny
gloved hand was held out from passing
carriage. ..-,. -,
"Ah, Mrs Everleigh, excuse me for not
seeing you before!" +"