Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-11-02
HANNAH MATILDAS WEDDING CAKE.
BY DOROTHY LEONARD.

Nat Ida should have the best cake to
be badp' said Mrs. Benson, as she
opened the oven door and looked in
at the beans. 'Guess I may as we'll
take 'em out" she continued; ''some
folks like their beans baked to crisp;
we like 'em brown but not overdone. "
'Im sure yoar beans are always
most delicious, Mis- Benson" an
swered her visitor 81 like 'em myself,
but down to our house I most have to
burn 'em to suit! I suppose your
Hannah can turn her hand to most
anything in plain cooking?"
Eyes, indeed there amt nothing
in that line Hannah don't understand,
plain OF fancy; but weddin' cake,
why, that's kind O. different, you see,
and me aud Benson made up our
minds that our only child should have
the very best. It's going to be from
frst-rate city confectioner and 1
don't feel any doubt but it'll more
han suit"
Mrs. Prentice set her thin lips to-
gether and made no answer for q min
ute or two, then she said: ''Well, it
amt the first time it's been tried in
these parts, a. maxim the wedding cake
out o. the house! Some folks think
it bad luck, and, though I'm no be-
liever in such things myself, I shan't
try it for Sarah. -
"Why, do tell! exclaimed Mrs.
Benson. "I didn't know Sarah was
keepin' company with anyone. Han
nah, to her daughter, who had just
entered, ''did you hear what Mis-
Prentice said? Now, MIS- Prentice,
do tell us all about it!'
81 don't know as l said Sarah was
a-keepin' company with anyone. l
said I should make her wedding cake
myself.
"Well, but is she keeping company?
And who's the fellow?" demanded
Hannah, placing herself directly in
front of Mrs. Prentice, with her arms
akimbo.
The poor woman, who stung by ieal-
ousy, had implied more than she meant,
sat silent There was now no way
out of her difficulty but to say that
Sarah was not having any attention
and she would rather die than say
that before that saucy Hannah Matilda
Hannah, who had enticed jerry
Rogers away from Sarah, and who glo-
ried in the deed Sarah's sweet, deli
cate face, with its wistful blue eyes,
rose up before her $50 different from
Hannah's), and she felt cure that if
her daughter had been the only child
of so rich farmer as Benson, Rogers
would never have left her.
"Well?" said Hannah, impatiently.
The thought of the Benson riches
was uppermost in Mrs. Prentice S
mind and again she spoke unavisedly.
81 guess whatever young man is
showing my daughter attention, she
didn't have to use money to entice him
away from another grill"
Hannah, who we'll knew that she
could not compare with Sarah in looks,
flushed crimson. 81 underestimate
she exclaimed; 'you're just pretend
ing SO that won't think Sarah is
dyin' OF broken heart!"
Mrs. Benson, whose attention since
Hannah's entrance had been absorbed
by the beaus, started and upset hal
of them. "Hannah Matilda!" she
cried, "what can you be thinkin' Of
to use such words to Mis- Prentice il
this house:"
"Well, ma, why can't she answer
instead O. beatin' about the bush so
Now" to Mrs. Prentice, lis Sarah en-
gagged or not?"
"Yesr' and for the first time in he
life Mrs. Prentice had told lie.
She sat, too overcome and dazed t,
notice anything, as Mrs. Benson pu
the beans that had fallen on the tabl
into a dish and directed Hannah t.
sweep up those spilled over the floor
Fortunately for her, she was not callet
on to say much, as Mrs. Benson, NOR
titled at Hannah's rude behavior, triet
to smooth things over by talking in
cessantly; and Hannah, anxious t.
show that she was not jealous OF he
rival, brought out various article
from her trousseau and displayed ther
proudly to Mrs. Prentice, advisin
her how to have this and that mad
for Sarah. Every word cut the poo
woman to the heart, and the lie loome
up mo black and fearful before her
Dimly she noticed the dainty EN-
broideries and laces, and the markin
(she remembered that marking aftei
wards, Hannah Matilda Rogers, nc
Benson. Mrs. Benson paused for
moment in her preparations for sur
per. "Just notice that marking, wi
you Mrs. Prentice She done ever
stitch O. that herself; an you sea it
the French style, not that Kensingto
outline. Look how handsome the
twined around it! There. Matildi
that's your pas step; 60 cut the cak
and we'll have supper"
Mrs. Prentice rose and tottered
the door.