Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-04-10

iete emptied five barrels. On the sixth
pavement he found none.
| What an ashman's duty was he did not
know, but he had his invalid's interests
at stake, and must do his best for him,
so he descended the areaway and rang
the bell. In moment a girl in mob
cap, u big apron, and Rubber gloves,
opened the door.
"Beg pardon, am sure," said Jack,
bowing, "but do you wish your ash
barrel emptied2"
He spoke in the most elegant manner,
but he was covered with ashes as with
garment; his mnstache was whitened,
lis hands begrimed, cinders adhered to
his hair and his face was dirty.
| The maiden before him was not quite
free from marks of kitchen labor. 1t
was Emily, who had been washing the
pots and kettles for the first time in her
life.
"What beautiful manner he has,"
she thought; "he must be some one in
reduced circumstances.
And she smiled upon him:
"You are the-the ash gentleman, I
supposed" she queried.
II call in that capacity" said Jack.
"Then if it 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 indicated; "Tll
bring it back when it is emptied."
"You are too KIND" said Emily, un-
aware of the pot-black on her chin.
"Not at ALL" said Jack of the Gin
ders, and they bowed as if they were
dancing the lancers.
; In moment Jack had dumped the
ashes, and returned with the can.
He was greeted with a 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 tire?"
al hope not" slid Emily; "the fire
went out, and Pm trying to kindle it,
but it smokes So"
"Perhaps it is the damper," said
Jack, "Pll look, if you don't mind"
81 shall be grateful" gasped Emily.
"It is the damper," said JACK, "and
these things in the ovens; now if 1 may
have bit Of paper ald some wood2"
He found them himself, made fire,
opened the windows and waited until
the smoke vanished from the kitchen,
and then shut the windows.
"What wonderful ashInln," Emily
thought.
"What an elegant girl to bea cook"
JACK said to himself.
at is kind of you,' SAID E nily; $50
stupid Of me. But l did not know
about the dampers; never male fire
before, but the servants have taken
French leave"
"Ohl" said Jack to himself. .tThe
young lady of the house doing amateur
kitchen housework. might have known
it. And she thinks me the ashman, 4"
AMI he sighed. "Good-da!," he said,
bowiny.
Before Emily could reply head was
thrust in at the window-that of the
original ashman.
"An' here you air, sr2' he said. can,
sure, the medicine the doctor did be
givin me has made me a new man, an
I'm forever obliged. And sorry 1 AM
you've spoiled the fine clothes you have
on ye. Aud you'll find your boy. suckle
in the doctors shop. I've trouncel the
rascal that was goin' off wild it to q
jelly. I'll drive down, sir, and never
forget your kindness. May you be
Mayor OF New York yet"
GOA, you are welcome" said Jack,
and now Emily was staring at him.
"Not the ashmanl" she was saying un-
der her breath, and Jack, laughing, an
swercd her glance.
"My first ash-cart, as this was your
first fSe," he said. "Thc driver was ill,
and took his place. 1t has been great
fun, though rather dirty WORK. May
introduce myself?'
He took card from his pocket aad
presented it.
.'I am Miss Montgomery, said Emily;
'sand think my father must know yours
very well, if you are Mr.. William Spin
ner's sou. They are in the slme basi-
ness"
So it proved. For special occasions
who can say what the etiquette may bel
Emily said to herself thas it 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 anl wash
basin.
When he met her again she wore
neither mob cap nor apron, but was at
tirei il pretty morning dress, and her
hair curled bcwitchingly oa her fore.
head.
And, since this was the son OF her
fathers old frieni, it seemed but hos
pitable to ask him to lunch. Mamma
would not be at ho ne, she was quite
alone. L. was awfuily improper but
this latter pnipt neyey QscIrrel to Emily,