Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-26
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1t was a busy day with the florist. His coun-
tiers were filled with flowers, and all hands were
at work making bouquets, crosses, wreathS, and
filling baskets. The florist, Karl Kreitman,
was at work himself experimenting; even his
vile was pressed into service, and was making
a bridal bouquet OF fragrant orange blossoms.
Presently carriage stopped, and tall, elegant
ly dressed young lady came into the shop. Karl
stepped forward to take her order
81 wish to leave an order for crown of white
flowers for funeral tomorrow morning." she
said
81 am so sorry, madam, but, as madam sees
We are SO busy. A wedding tonight, funeral to-
morrow, half dozen parties, and so many bas-
kets ordered-it is quite impossible" answered
the little German, politely.
The Young lady looked disappointed, but as
she turned TO go Mrs. Breitman stopped her.
81 will see TO it, miss, that your order is filed.
Only leave it with me. He's so busy" pointing
at her husband.
To speak truthfully, Mrs. Breitman was
misery soul, and could nor bear the thought of
losing the prospective money, for she saw by
the carriage at the door and the young lady's
appearance that this was a wealthy customer.
Thank you" said the lady. at is kind of
you. want crown of pure white flowers"
THAT will come very expensive, MISS oh
served the florists wife, anticipating the ready
answer-"never mind expense. ] want it Just
so, and as handsome as you can make it,"
Perhaps little cross OF Yiolets on the top
NOulu Snit yOuJ We uldht sO SUGGESTED
Mrs. Breitman, her eyes sparkling as the lady
aSsented, for violeIs were just coming into sea-
son and very expensive.
"Yes, that will look we'll Here is my card,
which you must tie on it, and shall write my
addressf" Being supplied with card for that
purpose, she drew off her glove, displaying
shapely white hand, on which glittered dia-
mOnds, and wrote the name and address.
The funeral is tomorrow at ten, and shall
expect this 10 be very handsome. Mind shall
be there and see ii"
Eyes, MISS" replied Mrs Breitman, glancing
at the book. "0h, in Thirty-fith street, |
thought, maybe, it was for Mrs. Willis funeral;
that is tomorrow morning, and we have large
order for that"
eyes," sad the lady, drawing on her glove,
as she carelessy looked, 81 see you are very
busy. Good afternoon"
Good afternoon, miss. Shall [ send you the
bil?' inquired Mrs. Breitman, following the
young lady to the door,
"No; | will call and pay you"
Then as she went out and got into the car
rage, the florists wife heard her order the
coachman to drive to No. - Fifth avenue:
the flowers, she picked up the card, saying, 81
wonder who she sW On the pasteboard she
read in old English letters the name, MARY
Lester, Fifth avenue"
"Ha, Karl" she called, 81 have gained Gus
tomer-one who does not care for expense"
"Thou wilt have to arrange the flowers thy
self, Katrine," answered he Grossly. eve will
be up half the night before" Katrine nodded.
When the bridal bouquet was disposed of and
her husband had gone off to suDerintend the
floral decorations of the church, where the mar
riage was to be, she began to make the crown.
Life and DEATH" she muttered, as her deft
fingers wove the creamy roses with the snow
white ones, arranging the odorous sprays of
lilies with dentzia. "Brides and corpses! We
florists deck them both, and flowers serve for
Eor sI,o en-.
thinking of the lady, Mrs. Willis, who was to be
buried tomorrow. -Four crosses, six wreaths,
a crown and loose flowers" said she to herself.
Gle loved her well. It's not two years since |
made her bridal bouquet. Dear heart | wish
to-night's bride longer life" When the cross
ofYiolets was made, surmounting the crown,
Mrs. Breitman surveyed her handiwork with
true artistic pleasure. 1t was beautiful indeed.
The absence of the stiff japonicas and heavy
Iuberoses gave ii less of funeral look and
more the semblance of heavenly crown. AT
ter tying Miss Testers card on, her work was
complete, and she had time to assist with the
other crosses. . -tE ra Isrg
1t was with sigh of relief that Miss Lester
threw herself back in the coupe beside portly
matron in black velvet. ooh, mamma" ex-
claimed she, 81 do hate this unreal, foolish
fashion of sending flowers to dead people. They
have large order for Mrs. Willis funeral
there ut the fOriSts, and our flowers might
Just as well 20 TO her as to Cousin Mariannes.
We didn't know George; we don't know Mrs.
Willis"
"No, love-" replied Mrs. Lester, But it is ex-
pected of us in one case and not in the other,
and Marianne would be hurt and vexed if we
sent no flowers for her husbands funeral, and
although 1 aeprecate the custom as much as
you, still it Is us well to do as all the world
does. !" N.
"The world shall never lay down laws for
me, said Mary, energetically. 81 think for a
friend to strew flowers on the person of loved
one who has gone, is beautiful; but, OH this re-
duction ofpoetcal sentiment to fashions edicts,'
and she smote her little palms together so vo-
lently as to make her mother start.
"Don't do that, Mary. 1t is not ladylike. Tell
me, did you order the crown made as desred?'
Then they drilted off into a conversation upon
the quality, style, and price of flowers. "Mak-
ing up orders for Mrs. Willis funera?" observed
Mrs. Lester at last. 81 wonder if that is Clara
Spencer who was married about two years ago
TO Willard Willis. You have seen them at
church, Mary' Their pew is three ahead of
oursP
eyes, l remember" answered Mary, thought
fully. She spoke little on her way home, and
was rallied by her mother for her absent air. 81
am thinking" said she briefly. She did not like
to say that her thoughts were full of that tall
handsome man, with his little blonde wife, who
had sat just before them in church. Sunday at
ter Sunday Mary had seen them together, and
she was wondering if he had loved her much if
he grieved sorely for the lost.
How sorely Mary did not know.
Willard Willis was bowed in grief for the
loss Of his wife, his little Clara He felt keeny
too, now that she was gone, that he had not
valued her enough, had treated her too much
like a child, had been often impatient with her
waywardness. Now that death had laid his
cold seal upon her, all her faults were forgotten
and only the winning, loving ways remembered
which had won his heart before marriage.
II was the morning of the funeral. The air
was heavy with the scent of flowers His sister,
Mrs. Carr was arranging the floral devices
about the fair marble figure in It's last resting
place. "flow many beautiful flowers there
arep said she, through her sobs to some of the
other relatives, Look, Sarah, what beautiful
cross James TIubbell has sent her. You know
people said he wanted to marry her. And this
crown-l never did see anything so perfectly
beautiful Look! all roses and none of those
horrid japonicas See these violets in the little
cross"
at is handsome" said Helen Willard, turn.
ing the card over. Mary Lester; who is she,
SarahP
Sarah Spencer, the sister of the departed one
shook her head. 81 never heard CLARA speak
OF her"
"She ought TO be either a very intimate friend
or q relative to send anything so handsome as
this. 1t never cost less than forty dollars. III
ask Willard, said Mrs. Carr starting forward
with the crown in her hand.
Helen pulled her dress. "Not now. II is most
time for the funeral to begin, and he feels so bad,
and wouldn't IL were you"
"Well, III put il aside, and after the service
can ask him. Here comes the bishop" and up
went Mrs Cars handkerchief 10 her eyes as she
sailed forward in her new mourning TO meet the
venerable preate.
When the last sad rites were over, Willard
Willis returned mournfuly alone. The first
thing he saw was the crown standing upon the
mante where his sister had placed IT, All his