Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-04-11
Little Mary's Wedding Call.

It was in wal time, and little Mary'.
father and mother were going to VIZ
the soldiers in camp, leaving her ~
Bridpet's care for the day. just befons
going, Mary's mother dressed her in an
Old cambria dress, that she might plas
in the dirt all she wanted to, and tben'
kissing her goodbye and telling her ~
be a GOOD little girl, off they started
Mary watched them out of sight, and
then went to work on her mud-pies
and soon a large batch all ready fos
baking adorned the curbstone.
But it was Il hot day, and Mary tired
very soon of playing in the sun, so she
tried to think what to do next. Now
q few houses down the street, lived Mrs
Stillines, who, only within a week al
two, had changed her name from Mis-
Brown. Mary he'd heard a great deal
of talk about ''the BRIDE" and MANN,
and auntie were thinking of calling
So Mary thought she. would call thaa
morning.
She went in and washed her hand,
then started off, feeling very important
not thinking of the old dress or avian
of the traces of mud-pies on her faca
She marched up the steps and rang tn
bell. Martha, the girl, came to thu
door. They were very good friend
usually. but Mary was SO filled with tn
Importance of making a real call al
alone that she took no notice of Mari
beyond inquiring in . very digni6e
manner:
sis the bride at home?"
Maria, choking back a laugh, said
YES" and ushered her into the pa1
lor. Very soon Mrs. Stillings came !
and Mary had a delightful time. Mr.
Stillings gave her some wedding-cah
on a pretty plate, with a white napkin
which made a great impression O
Mary, and must have been a funn
contrast, as she used it, to the grim
little hands, which were not ovcr-clea
despite the washing.
She made a very long, unfashionabl
call, but was home again before Bridge
had missed her, and to her she toll
about her call. And then when pap
and mamma came home she had to tel
the story over again at the supper table
FL went to call on the bride to-day.
said Mary.
..You did! Did Bridget dress 70
nice and c%lean?" asked mamma.
"No. 1 went after l was tired d
playing in the dirt, and Bridget didn
know it," answered Mary.
''In that old dress! With dirty hand
and face! Why, Mary Tighte" el
claimed mamma, in a tone of horror.
81 washed my hands fore 1 wen
and Maria took me into the parlor, an
pretty soon Miss Brown came, and Sd
had on a pretty brown dress, made
silk, with big sleeves with white insid
of 'em, and | asked her how she likd
being married, and she said very mud
and then | asked her if she was mario
in that dress, and she said no, she W
married in her travelling dress. and
I'd look out OF the window next Sund}
I'd see her go to church with it on, a
Pm goin' to. And then she had on
ring, and l asked her if it was her
gagement ring, and she said that vi
her wedding ring, and she showed d
her engagement ring, and then s.
went to the closet and brought me
whole SLICE of wedding-cake, on a rel
pretty plate all over flowers, and
napkin, mamma, just like a real grow
up lady, and l eat it all but a little til
bit Of q piece, and l thought it wouldn
be polite to eat that, SO | left it, but
did want to aavtmlly--and l mean to
again and get some more cakes!" al
Mary stopped, out of breath.
When her mamma called on Mn
Stillings she said that little Mary
the most entertaining caller she had
ceived.
Mary was not allowed to call agai
so she had no moro cake-a fact whid
she long regretted. She has been
''rcal, grown-up lady, herself for
number of years, but she still remer
bers distinctly her first call.-PortlGd
Transcript.