~@he Democrat VOL. 7. lisgellangons, Buying a Wedding-Cake. “ Letters, sir, from de pos office 2” “Very well, Sambo, put em down and take yourself off!’ I had just finished my breakfast, and the tiny silver chochlatiere. with the bachelor service of transparent china, still stood on the damask-draped round table. It was a ‘bright little room, with its white and gold ‘paper, and high heaped grate, on the gray light of this chill December morning, when ‘the air thick with noiseless falling snow flakes ; and this contrast between the bitter atmosphere without and the tropical warmth of my own special nook gave me an addi- tional consciousness of satisfaction, as I leaned back in my chair and proceeded to examine my correspondence. Lee Worcester wants to know if I can come there to tea this evening. Of course I can. Lee's wife is a perfect little rose bud, and one, besides, who don’t believe in cash- iering all her husband’s bachelor friends. — And then I rather like that brown eyed s1s- ter-in-law of his. Yes, I’ll go, certainly. — Halloo—-here’s a letter from my brother in Glenfield ! I untoided the document eagers ly, scarcely able, at first, to credit the tid- ings it revealed. Well, here is a pretty state of things. — Going to be married, claims my congratula- tions, says that Mary (who the dickens 1s Mary ?) is in great tribulation about the wedding cake ; affair to come off on Wed nesday, and no cake to be had for love or money ! ~ Will I be the best fellow in the world, and send down one from D’Artier,s ? I glanced at the date of the letter, It had been delayed for several days on the road, and there was not a minute to be lost. 1 rose, mechanically, giving one more heedful gaze at the various “directions ubout icing, weight ang decorations, which accompanied Tom’s closely written epistle, before T sal lied forth boldly to the street on my novel crrand. It was just al out one o’clock, the snow had ce.sed falling, and the sun shone bril- hantly. D’Artier’s was full, of course ;— there were at least a dozen ladies that I knew sitting at the tiny marble tables. I tried tc assume an air of easy impudence, as if I bad only come in for a pound of choco late almonds, but it was no use; I could not disgaise the latent sheepishness of my aspect as I slowly sauntered up to the coun- ter. * How can I serve you, sir ?” demanded the trim damsel, who presided over the sac* charine treasurgs. I muttered something under my mous~ tache, feeling a hot blush suffuse my whole countenance. Why would not the inquisi tive—woman kind attend to their ice- creams ? . ** Cake, sir?” «¢ Certainly.” * For a party, sir ¢ and almond—"’ * No, no,” I bawled out ; «I want a wed- ding cake.” * Oh, I beg your pardon, sir,” tittered the atrocious shop woman. Was it reality, or did I only fancy that the titter was echo- ed among the bonnets and furs beyond 2— Hewever that might have been, the mere apprehension was sufficient to throw me into a cold perspiration. The next moment, however, the counter was heaped with various temples of glisten- ing white sugar, some grandly wreathed with make-believe roses, some surrounded with candy cupids, others with pure white masses of icing. 1 surveyed them in a state of hopeless bewilderment * Perhaps, sir, it would be better if the lady could come with you to select,” haz- arded my enemy behind the counter. 1 could endure this badgering no longer, but pounced upon a gigantic pyramid of su- gar-lillies, from which peeped up a tiny al abaster cupid. *¢T will take this one—what is the price of it 2’ * Fifteen dollars, sir !" I laid down the money, and never experi « enced so delicious a sensation of relief as at the moment when 1 thrust the cupid, packed in a round wooden bex, under my arm, and rushed out of the establishment. How glad- ly I delivered it to the express agent, who tossed it to one side as carelessly as if the transmission of wedding cakes were a mat- ter of every day occurrence. “How d’ye do, Golde, when is it to come off? : ~" When is what to come off 2” ‘querried 1, considerably puzzled at my friend Ather- ;ton’s address. « Your wedding, to be sure ? Ah, you .are a sly dog, to keep 228 21 in the dark so long !” ** You can’t have been mach more in the Mark than I am at this moment, Atherton. What in the world do you mean But Atherton only wagged his head know- ingly, and rushed off in pursuit of a stage, Saying something of which I only caught, the disconnected fragments of “my wife,” and “D’Artier’s.” + Hang that wedding cake !” was my ine ternal ejaculation. As T pursued my specalalive way, a tiny gloved hand was held out from a passing carriage. Pound cake, lemon Ah, Mrs. Everleight, excuse me for not seeing you before !”? “ We all know that love is blind,” said the lady smiling. “Now I know why you haye not been to see me in such an age.— My niece was at D’Artiers this morning, and saw how particular you were in the selec tion of a certain article !”? Before I could explain the picce of cir- cumstantial evidence, there was a movement in ‘lock’ of carriages which had caused the temporary detention of my fair friend, and her equipage rolled away with a wave of the pretty hand and the archest smile. I stood looking after her, with an odd sort of impression that I should awake up presently to find myself married to some- body whether or no ; indeed, I was not al~ together certain whether Mrs. Golde was not waiting for me at home. How brilliantly the firelight and gaslight illumined that cozy little room at Lee Wor- cester’s with pink tinted walls, and crim- soned carpet, sprinkled with small white buds. The piano was open, strewn with sheets of music, just as it had been left, its pearl keys glimmering softly in the subdued radiance of one jet of light that glowed thr'o a frosted shade above. The tea table was all set—T had often dreamed of a home of my own that should be something like Lee Worcester’s in its snug evening comfort, and somehow the tea table always formed part of the phantom. There was something 50 bright and cheerful in the snowy dam- ask, and the sparkling glass and glittering china. Old bachelor that I was, the golden blocks of cake and tiny white muffins, breaking into crisp flakes that melted in one’s mouth, and amber jellies, quivering like gigantic jewels through their crystal prison walls, producing a wonderfully agree- able effcet in my epicurean sight. And T could imagine no prettier vision to crown it all than Mary Worcester, in her crimson merino dress, edged around the throat with delicate lace, presiding at the.silver tea urn. Except, perhaps —but that is neither here nor there ! Twas a little disappointed on entering not to see Lee's sister-in-law, a trim little beau- ty, with brown rippling hair and velvety eyes somewhere between hazel and black, bat I did not like to ask any questions, and consequently remained in ignorance until Mary casually remarked : * Nettie is very low spirited this evening, perhaps she will come down stairs by and by." How I longed to ask what the matter was. Perhaps she had received ill news ; perhaps she was not well, IT would have given my two ears to know, but I didn’t dare to in~ quire, ** So your'e going to be married, ech, Tra cy, my boy,” said Lee, as we sat in front of the bright fire. ¢Well, you can’t do better. A bachelor, at best, is a mere fraction of so- ciety !” I started up,.annoyed beyond all endu- rance. “ For mercy’s sake, dear Lee, do tell me where you picked up that ridiculous re- port !” ¢ Ridiculous report | that's pretty cool, upon my honor,” exclaimed Lee. “ Now, Mr. Golde,’ said Mary, laughing. *‘don’t deny the sott impeachment. I am sure you would enjoy a quiet home of your own better than that noisy hotel. There is no charm against a sad heart like domestic bliss 1” There was a radiant softness in her own tender eyes as she spoke, that penetrated me with the sudden conviction that I had been exceedingly foolish to remain single all these years. ¢ Do confess,” she added gaily. “But I have nothing on earth to con- fess |” 3 ¢ Nonsense,” said Mary, holding up a pretty, warning finger. “What were you buying at D’Artier’s this very morning ¥’ T turned scarlet ; here was that everlast ing wedding cake again. Fortunately my inquisition was termina t- ed for a moment by the entrance of Lee's sister-in-law, looking lovelier than 1 had ever seen her before, a little pale, perhaps, and her silky eye lashes heavy with what I could almost have fancied recent tears, were it not that she seemed in extravagant gay spirits. The soft flushes of color came and went across her cheeks, and her earol lips were dimpled with the brightest smiles, yet all the time IT could not divest myself of the odd impression that she was really to melt |. into an April shower of tears at any mo- ment. She lightly tendered me her congratulas tions upon the approaching “happy event,” holding out a small snowy hand loaded with sparkling rings as she did so. * You speak in riddles, Miss Nettie: “Don’t pretend that you have not the key to them,” she said, a little tremulously. “T cannot comprehend what you mean,” answered I sturdily. : She said no more, but sat quietly down, shading her eyes with her hand, as though the fire dazzled them. Mrs, Worcester, however, still pursued the obnoxious topic. “Then how do you explain the wedding cake at D’Artier’s ¢’ ‘Is that the only testimony on which I am tried and convicted.of a willful intention of matrimony 2’ * That is all ; defence.” ¢ Well, that unlucky mass of white sugar we are ready to hear your and dyspepsia was for my brother’s wedding y | dM atc BELLEFONTE, THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 6, 1862. ceremonies, a hundred miles away, I ase sure you it had not the least connection with my matrimonial fortunes,’ Nettie looked up with a rare brilliancy under her long lashes, and an almost invol. untary smle wreathed her lips. I. took heart of hope and went bravely on, cheered by a sudden inspiration. ‘ But I will purchase a bride cake twice as large, for my own wedding, if Nettie will consent to be the bride !" There—I had done it, and in less than five minutes was an acceptedMover, looking boldly in the wondrous liquid depths of those brown, beautiful eyes, A new sensa- tion—but agreeable, very. * And now, Tracy,” said Mary mischieys tously, “I'll tell you a secret ¢ the reason Nettie cried half the afternoon, and became so low spirited this evening, was that—? ‘Mary I” remonstrated Nettie, with cheeks ablaze. ¢* That she heard you were buying a wed- ding cake I, pursued Mary, putting away the white fingers with which Nettie vainly strove to fetter her tell tale lips. «I'll order another one to morrow,’’ said I meditatively. * yeurs he kept getting letters from his unknown customer, and would have got more to this day, but for the law requiring postage to be paid in ad- vance, lehad to pay two or three dollars in postage before the letters ceasad to come, and as they were always directed ina new hand writing, he hoped each one was of more importance than the one before. 1f he of Attica reads this in the drawer, he will find for the first time why he was so punished and by whom, — Harpers Month+ ly. ———— SM . CouNT For YousseLr.- It was stated a few days ago by a prominent Republican and member of the investigating committee, that during the first year of Mr. Lincoln’ administra.don, the government had been plundered of a sum of money, equal to the whole yearly expenditure of Mr, Buchan: an’s adwnnistrat'on, which was about $62 « 300,000 taking it at this amount, which is probally smill enough, every man, can cal: culate how much has been stolen out of hi own pocket. Takirg the number of inhabi « tants, both North and South, in the United States at 31. 000,000, 1t would be just two dollars ahead for every man, woman and child, north and south, or in a family of six the enormous taxes; actually robbed from the treasury. Did any one ever hear of such a way of ¢ introduing hone: ty andre- form in to the administration of our governs ment ? sw BRE A Bere Baxep 10 4 Loar oF Brein.— There is a Bible, in Lucas county, Ohics which was once baked in a loaf of bréad. It now belongs to Mr. Schebolt, a member of the United Brethren Church, who resides near Maumee City. Mr. Schebolt is a pa- tive of Bohemia, and the baked Bible was originally the property of his grand father, who was a faithful Protestant Christian. — During one of the persecutions in Bohemia, an cdict was passed that every Bible in the hands of the peasants should be delivered up to the authorities and destroyed. Vari ous expedients were resorted to by the Protestants to preserve their books. Mrs. Schebolt, grandmother of the jresent owners placed hers in the centre of a batch of dough which was réady for the oven, and baked it, The house was carefully searchtd, but no Bible was found ; and when the searchers had departed, and danger was passed, the Bible was taken uninjured from the leaf. — It was printed one hundred and fifty years ago, el & AED A ae. Savep ny ms Tesramext.—Mr. David Salmon. of Bald Eagle, this county, who 1s a private in the 93d Reg. Pa. Vol, had narrow escape at the battle of Williamsburg. He was standing close by Captain Shearer and William Callahan, when these men fell, and about the same time was struck on the side with a picee of shell ov nearly spent canisfer shot. missile struck him on the blouse pockets in that pocket was a copy of the New Testa- | meat, a small memorandum baok, and a. 3 small paper of sugar. Mr. Salmon fell and was carried to the hospital in an almost lifcless condition, but recovered in a few hours. A blue spot, of the size of a man’s The contents of his pocket without doubt burg on the 18th inst., of the typhoid fever. Gen. Kiem was identified with the military affairs of the State for the last twenty years and at the commencement of the rebellion held the commission of Major General of the Fifth Division Pennsylvania Militia, as well as the office of Surveyor General of the State. 077We heard a little boy parodying a childish rhyme that all will remember of their youth : . God wade man, And man made money, God made bees, And bees made honey, God made the Union Nice and slick, In came old Lincoln, And spoiled it quick ! eee ¢* Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools,” said Napoleon. It is not intellect that make a man great, so much as earnest purpose. The men in al] times who have deeply impressed their char- acter upon their age have not been so much men of high intellectual power as men of in- domnitable will and unceasing industry. r ————— IZ The rebels talk loudly of beating the saved his life.— Lock Haven Press. CriLpreNy PLaYiNG with Snakes. — Lait Monday three small children belonging to, David Auble, tenant of Mr. John F. Erwin, in Hellam township, near Heistand’s mill, were out playing in a meadow, near Kreutz Creck. On returning home the cHildben stated that they had caught snakes and were 3 playing with them. Messrs. Erwin and Auble hastened Lo the spot, and discovered and Killed sever copper~heads, five of then: measuring in length from two to three feet cach—the other two six or seven feet cach. None of the children had been harmed. — York Pennsylvanian. Lg al JI is said thata manin a ¢ tight place’ once, upon having his note shaved by a broker, begged to be allowed to take the usury instead of the principal. ¥ the tax bill passes as it is, the publishers had bet- er let the Government have the newspapers, if1t will permit them to receive the tax- es. hd cose i 177 The Pittsburg Dispatch traly says ‘The most disloyal papers are invariably Union armies, but latterly it seems the only thing the can beat is a retreat those which most vaunt thew loyalty.” it would be twelve dollars over and above | Fortunately for him thy. hand, marks the place where he was struck.