The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1904-01-22
MOTHERS FRUIT cAxE.
AZ Was . Big one, But IN. Espress
Charges We're a Little
hit Bigger,

The woman who was telling the story
was the best gowned OF all The wcmen
In the cafe. II seemed to amuse the
company around her table and some al
nearby seats couldn't help listening 10
il, relates the New York Sun.
Il never see a piece Of fruit ar pound
cake that don't think OF my poor dear
mother out in Kansas" she was SAYING.
Did ever tell you about the cake she
sent me? Well, it was the frst Christ
mas was in New York.
From my chill little bedroom in a
rooming house half way up town used
to write to her the rosiest letters of my
progress and expectations. II used TO
cheer my gloomiest hours 10 see what
lies l could put down on paper for the
qualification and comfort Of the little
old lady. One night when. hadn't had
any dinner, | remember sending her a
long letter about plans / was making
TO bring my little sister east and give
her the education she ought to have.
"a few days before Christmas got a
letter in mothers own labored writing.
She said she knew hsnkered for a
taste OF the fruit cake We always had
at home at Christmas time ami she had
made a whole big one for me and mad
shipped 1t by express.
Il promised myself that With one OF
mothers nourishing fruit calles at hand
would be able to sustain myself on the
on days, and | sat in expectancy next
day when the bell rang and The maid
came toiling up the two flights to tell
me that there was paclagefor me.
The expressman climbed up with a
round parcel almost as big as a wash
tub He held up the book for me 10
sign and remarked, incidentally
charges are S6.45 ma'sm.' Mother had
sent It collect, all the way from the lit
tie Kansas town.
six forty-fivei The fruit cake was as
far beyond my reach as a Tiffany tiara
So the expressman bore itawsy while
muttered something abon; cropping
into his Office with the money as soon as
! had been 20 the bank Then wrote
a strictly private note to my little sis
ter telling her 10 tear up any notice
that might be sent 10 mother by the
company telling her the parcel was I'M
delivered. | have an idea they have
some such system. Haven't they?
Then | sat down and wrote fresh
letter to mother telling her how much
had enjoyed the cake. and describing
all the fictitious persons who had shared
II with me. and who sent their con-
CALCULATIONS to her on her skill as q
cakemaker. | ran OUT and mailed the
letter and went back and cried myself
TO sleep"
And that was the end of the eake?'
asked one Of the women al the table.
"Ob. no." continued the narrator
Three months later went 10 the aue-
tlon sale OF unclaimed express packages
and bid It in for 45 cents. iorher''
fruit cake Is so wholesome end dthat
1t will keep for year. ali
come up TO the house now, tyoJ
shall have small piece"
What" exclaimed one OF the men
WAS this event as recent as that?'
The story-teller smiled bewitchhgly
"You know" she said. turning berlool
/ TO the fat and apoplectic person who
was presumptively the husband "itwai
a case OF love at first sight with Mr.
x and me-"
yes" assented the fat one. "anC
we've Just shipped to mother frui
cake that's so crammed with $50 aol'
pieces that there's no room for raisfns.
DON'T SNUB THE SPAGHETTI