Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-03-24


| and ornamented by the inanimate
forms OF three murdered kittens.
Mr.. Jack gasped, but he intended to
finish his work OF charity now that he
had begun IL. And, with varied re-
suits, new experiences to him, the
young athlete emptied FIVE barrels.
On the sixth pavement he found none:
What an ashman's duty was he dld
not know, but he had his invalld's IN
terests at stake. and must do his pest
for him, so he descended the areaway
and rang the bell. In moment a girl
In mob cap, big apron, and rubber
gloves, opened the door.
BEG pardon, / am sure" said JACK,
bowling, but do you wish your ASH
barrel emptied?"
He spoke In the most elegant man.
ner, but he was covered with ashes as
with a garment; his mustache was
whitened, his hands begrimed, cinders
adhered to his hair and his face was
dirty.
The maid before him was not quite
free from marks or kitchen labor. IL
was Emily, who had been washing
the pots and kettles for the first time
In her life.
what n beautiful manner he has"
she thought; "he must be some one in
reduced circumstances"
And she smiled upon him:
You are tne-the ash gentleman, 1
supposeI' she oueried
Il call In that capacity" sad Jack.
Then If ii is not too much trouble
the ash can stands in this little place
under the front steps," said Emily.
NO trouble whatever" said Jack,
diving into the place indlcated; III
bring 1t back when it is emptied."
You are too kind" said Emily, IN
ware Of the pot black on her chin.
Not ut all" said Jack Of the Cind-
ers, and they bowed as If they were
dancing the lanciers.
In moment Jack had dumped the
ashes, and returned with the can.
Hc was greeted by great puff of
smoke, and Emily, blushing and cough
ing, came out into the area for air.
Beg pardon" said Jack; but the
house is not on fire.
II hope not" said Emily; "the fire
went out, and I'm trying TO kindle 1t,
but ii smokes so."
Perhaps it is the damper," said
Jack, IN look, If you don't mind"
81 SHAH be grateful" gasped Emily.
ut is the dampcr," said Jack; and
these things in the ovens; now IL 1
may have bit Of paper and some
woodY'
He found them himself, made n fire,
opened the windows, and waited until
the smoke vanished from the kitchen,
and then shut the windows.
What wonderful ashman," Emily
thought.
What an elegant girl to cook"
Jack said TO himself.
ut is so kind Of you" said Emily; 80
stupid of me. But / did, not know
about the hampers; L never made
fire before, but the servants have
taken French leave"
"Oh" said Jack, to himself "The
young lady Of the house doing amateur
kitchen homework. 1 might have
known IT. And she thinks me the
ashman." and he sighed. Good day."
he said, bowling.
Before Emily could reply a head was
thrust In at the window-that OF the
original ashman.
AN here you air, slr?" he said.
AN, sure the medicine the doctor did
be givin' me has made me a new man.
an I'm forever obliged. And sorry
am you've spoiled the fine clothes you
have on ye. And you'll find your
boy-suckle In the doctors shop. I've
trounced the rascal that was goin' Off
wild it, to jelly. I'll drive down, sir,
and never forget your kindness. May
you be mayor Of New York yet"
"Oh, you are welcome" said Jack,
and now Emily was staring at him.
Not the ashman!' she was saying
under her breath, and Jack, laughing,
answered her glance.
My first ash cart, as this was your
first fire." he said. 1.-THE driver was
Ill, and l took his place. 1t has been
great fun, though rather dirty work.
May l introduce myself?"
He took a card from his pocket and
presented 1t.
81 am Miss Montgomery" said
Emily; land | think my father must
know yours very well, If you are Mr..
William Spinner's son. They arc in
the same business"
So it proved For special occasions
who can say what the etiquette may
be? Emily said to herself that 1t
would be simply humane to help this
martyr TO his kindly sympathies out
of his coat Of ashes, and sent him to
her brothers room to find clothes
brush and wash basin.
When he met her again she wore
neither mob-cap nor apron, but was
attired in pretty morning dress, and
her hair curled bewitchingly on her
forehead
And, since this was the son of her
fathers old friend, 1t seemed but hos
pitable to ask him to lunch. Mamma
would not be 1T home, she was quite
alone. 1t was awfully improper-but
this latter point never occurred to
Emily, nor to Jack, and these two
were both young and liked sweet
things, and Jack declared that he
had never had SO delightful a lunch be-
fore.
1t was romance-which Is different
from flirtation-that little episode,
and II always remained In the memory
of those two young people as the
sweetest moment OF their lives.
When her mother returned, Emily
wore cap, apron and gloves. The
high tea was ready, and all the work
accomplished, after a fashion, and the
girl looked so pretty, so happy.
Cooking must agree with YOU" Mrs.
Montgomery said.
But Emily did not speak Of the
amateur ashman, or her lunch party Of
two. until long after-oh, long, long
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