The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-04-07
The Belle Of the Bakery.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

IL was not one OF your common baker
les. 1t was very genteel bakery, in
deed, with solid plate-glass window,
aud Parties and Weddings Supplied"
gilded in sprawliDg letters across the
front. The floor was of cheqnered mar
BILE, and the walls we're frescoed with
peacock feathers aud half open fans.
And Mrs. Biggs knew nothing at all about
'the business" but came in and out Of
IA private door, and Miss Edelgitha. her
daughter, was taking lessons on the
piano, aud in arrasene work, and read
d Israeli's novels.
As for Mr.. Biggs himself, he was in.
visible balf the day in the subterranean
region. whence he would occasionally
emerge with very red face. and hair
and whiskers powdered with flour.
They ain't nothin' like the master 4
eye" Mr.. Biggs would observe. with a
noble disregard of grammar, which was
peculiarly 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 heI
father left her unprovided for, and all
but friendess.
"She's most educated, amt she?" said
Mr.. Biggs. "Del II put her through and
make teacher of her, eb. wife2"
pray, Mr.. Biggs, don't go to putting
such nonsense into the child's head!'
said Mrs. Biggs. "It's a deal too ex
pensive, and it will be three years a
Least before she will be qualified to teach
And we can't board and clothe her al
that time. Let her go down into th,
bakery and help you. Yon were com
planning only yesterday of being short o
hands"
''But it's most a pity, ain't it?' sal,
Mr.. Biggs, who was kind.hearted soul
"Sueh a bright. smart little creatur a
Polly is"
"PsbaW!" said Mrs. Biggs. ''Yor
want bright, smart creatures. don
you?'
But 1 somehow calculated to Civ
Polly the same advantages as Edelgiiha,
urged the baker, wringgling like an un
easy eel.
Then Sou calculated entirely with
ont your host" observed Mrs. Biges
tartiy. I'VE are not Rotbschilds. an
Siguor Caraccli charges eighty dollars
quarter; and I've spoken to a Frenc
mam'selle about daily lessons in CONVEX
sation at dollar apiece. Besides
With sudden change of base I'M ,r
} was telling me, only yesterday. that SD
: pined for something to do. She bs
always been used to such very actiy
life"
So Mary, in her black calico dress
with the mist of tears still heavy on hs
'yellds, went down into the work -room
to help h'r uncle.
She was n brisk. efficient girl, VIII
had what Uncle Riggs called "a lev
business head" She was a good q,
conntant and kept the books belo
stairs; and once In a while she amuse
herself with making up pile of daint,
snow-white merinRues, or a batch
old-fashioned doughnuts. for the stor
1t was lonely down there. 10 be sur
among the busy workmen, and she sighe
at times when she heard her Cousi
Edelgitha practicing the scales.
at is very ungrateful of me-" 81
s said to herself II ought to be gls
| aud thankful TO help good Uncle BiPgs
8 And it never occurred either to MAJ
n or her uncle that il she hadn't been
l. very much prettier than Edel2itha 81
II never would have been banished to Il
d basement Of the bakery.
'Ehelgitha must marry rich, sa
Mrs. Biggs. 1--WE have prepared her
adorn any station; and Mr.. Lilburn
certainly was very attentive when
met her at the private view Of the ri
ture gallery. I really think be lik
Edelgitha."
"A "Hesa queer old hshl' said the bake
,s meditatively.
Of ''But he's rich" said Mrs. Biges.
n- "well. then. let's ask him 10 supp
I'd and leave him and EselRitbA alone
Mt Rethsr AfterWaFd9" suggested Mr.. BigI
III 'rhat is. II she likes him." .-.
"Biggs, don't be . Rooss!- said