Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-04-20
THE BELLE OF THE BAKERY.

1t was not one of your common baker
les. 1t was very genteel bakery, indeed,
with solid plate-glass window. and Par
ties and Weddings Supplied" gilded in
sprawling letters across the front. The
floor was of chequered marble, and the
walls we're frescoed with peacock feathers
and nalf-open fans And Mrs. Biggs knew
nothing at all about 1.-THE business" but
came in and out of private door. and
Miss Edelgitha, her daughter, was taking
lessons on the piano, and in arrasene work.
and read D'Israeli's novels.
AS for Mr. Biggs himself. he was invis-
lille half the day in the subterranean re-
gion, whence he would occasionally emerge
with very red face, and hair and whiskers
pow dered with -four.
They ain IT nothing like the masters
eye" Mr.. Biggs would observe, with no.
BILE disregard Of grammar, which was pc
culiarly aggravating to Edelgitha, his
daughter.
Then there was Mary-''Polly," as Mr..
Biggs called her. Mary Biggs had come to
visit Edelgitha, and be educated with her
when the sudden death of her father
left her unprovided for, and all but friend.
! less
She's most educated. amt she?" said
Mr.. Biggs. well put her through and
make teacher of her. eh, wife.
"Pray. MIR. Biggs, don't go to putting
I'M m h..o hi1dso hoodIb aui id
Mrs. Biggs. tits deal too expensive
and it will be three years at least before
she will be qualified to teach. And we
can't board and clothe her all that time.
Let her 90 down into the bakery ami help
you. You were complaining only yester-
day of being short of hands,
| But it's most pity, amt it 7" said
Mr.. Biggs, who was kind-hearted soul
''Such bright, smart, little creature az
Polly ISL
"Pshaw!" said Mrs. Biggs. You want
bright. smart creatures, don't you ?"
but l somehow calculated to give Pol
ly the same advantages as Edeloitha,'
urged the baker, wriggling like an uneasy
eel.
Then you calculated entirely without
your host" observed Mrs. Biges, tartly
"We are not Rothschilds, and Signor Car.
acoli charges eighty dollars a quarter
and I've spoken to French nam 'selle
about daily lessons in conversation at a
dollar apiece. Besides with sudden
change of base-"Mary was telling me,
only yesterday, that she pined for some.
thing to do. She has always been used to
such an active life"
So Mary, in her black calico dress, with
| the mist Of tears still heavy ON her eyelids,
went down into the work-rooms, TO help
her uncle.
She was brisk, efficient girl, who had
what Uncle Biggs called "a level business
| head.'' She was good accountant, and
kept the books below stairs: and once in
awhile she amused herself with making up
pile of dainty, snow-whlte meringues, or
batch of old-fashioned doughnuts. for the
store. It was lonely down there. to be
sure, among the busy workmen, and she
sighed at times when she beard her cousin
practicing the scales. !
ut is very ungrateful of me-" she said
to herself. Il ought to be glad and thank
full to help good Uncle Biggs.'
And it never occurred either to Mary or
Der uncle that If she hadn't been so very
much prettier than Edelgitha she never
would have been banished to the basement
of the bakery.
"Edelgitha must marry rich, ;" said Mrs.
BiRgs. 1--WE have prepared her to adorn
any station and Mr.. Lilburne. certainly
was very attentive when he met her at the
picture gallery. I really think he likes
EdelQitha.''
"He's queer old fish - said the baker,
meditately.
'But he's rich. - said Mrs. Riggs. (
"Well, then, let's ask him to supper,
and leave him and Edelgitha alone TO-
gether afterward - suggested Mr.. Biggs.
THAT is, if she likes him."
Biggs, don't be goose - said the lady,
irritab Y. s.You haven i soul above one
of your own four-barrels-no, nor you
won It never have"
So Mr.. Biggs retired. and gave his whole
attention to the checking off of load of
st. Louis -four. which was being delivered
at the alley-door. Il.
Mary Biggs had come up into the store