Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27
]. COLE.
BY EMMA GELLIBRAND.

London. There had been much packing up
and much extra work for everybody, and
Joe was in his element
What those long arms, and that willing
heart, and those quick little hands got
through nobody but those he helped ana
worked for could tell. Whatever was
wanted Joe knew where to find It, joe
knife was ready to cut a stubborn KNOT
Joe's shoulders ready to be loaded with as
heavy a weight as any man could carry
More than once I met him coming down
stairs with large boxes he himself coulo
almost have been packed in, and ne de-
clared he did not find them too heavy
you see, missis," he said, I'm that strong
now since I've been here, with all the good food
1 gets, and bein' so happy like, that feel
almost up to carryin' anythink. I do be-
lieve I could lift that there pianner' II
somebody would just give it hoist and
let me get hold Of 1t easy
Yes Joe was strong and well, and | am
sure happy, and l had never had a slnsle
thanksgiving about him since he stood Win
his fading flowers and shabby ciothes at
my window that summer day.
At last we were settled in town, and the
winter season beginning. Our house was
situated in the West End of London, a III
tie beyond Bayswater one or a row Oh ue
tached houses facing another row exactly
similar in every way. except that the backs
Of those we lived in had small gardens,
with each its own stable wall at the emu,
with coachman's rooms above, the 'front.' OF
the stables facing the news, and having the
entrance from there: the news ran all
along the backs Of these houses. On the
opposite side the houses facing ours nao
their gardens and back windows racing
the high road, and no stables There was
private road belonging to this, Holllng
Park, as it was called, and Waterman to
keep intruders out, and to stop organ-grlnu-
ers, beggars and such invaders OF the peace
from disturbing us.
Somehow 1 was never as comfortable as
in my snug cottage in the country. Rich,
fashionable people lived about US, and all
day long kept up the round Oh society
life"
In the morning the large handsome houses
would seem asleep, nothing moving inside
or out, except tradesmans cart Gaming
for orders, or workmen putting up or TAX
ing down awnings, at some mouse Where
there would be, or had been, a ball or en-
tertainment Of some kind About IL a car
rage or two would be driven round from
the news, and stop before mouse 10 take
some one for morning drive, but very
seldom was anybody on foot seen about
In the afternoon 1t was different; car
riages rolled along incessantly and streams
Of afternoon callers were gong and coming I'M
from the houses when the mistress was at
home;" and at my door, too. soon began the
usual din of bell and knocker. Joe was
quite equal to the occasion, and enjoyed
+
very best, and with collar that kept his
chin in what seemed to me a fearful state
of torture, but added to his height by at
| least half an inch. Joe stood behind the hall
door, ready to open 1t directly the knocker
was released. He ushered in the guests as
though ito the manner born" giving out
the names correctly, and with all the ease
of an experienced groom of the chambers.
The conservatory leading out of the draw
ing room was Joe's special pride; 1t was his
great pleasure to syringe the hanging bas-
kets and attend to the ferns and plants
Many shilings from his pocket money were
Of pots of musk, maidenhair, or anything
he could buy; his wages were all sent home
and he only kept for his own whatever he
had given to him, and sometimes guest
would tip him more generously than I
liked, for his bright eyes and ready hands
were always at everybody's service.
After my husbands return home, who
from the first became Joe's especial care as
| to boots. brushing Of clothes, etc, 1t became
necessary to give two or three dinner
parties. and I must confess l felt nervous
as to how Joe would acquft himself.
In our dining room was very large bear
skin rug and the floor being polished oak.
1t was dangerous to step on this rug, for 1t
would slip away from the feet on the
smooth surface, and even the dogs avoided
| it. so many falls had they met with upon
The first day of my husbands arrival we
had my sister and a friend to dine, and had
been talking about Joe in the few moments
before dinner.
My husband had been laughing at the size
of my page, and scoIding me little, or
rather pretending to do so, for taking a
written character.
Little woman" he said, don't be sur
prised If one night few country burglars
make us visit and renew their acquaint-
ance with Mr.. ]. Cole
you don't know joe" I replied, cor you
would never say that"
do you know him so well, little wife?'
said my dear, sensible husband; remember
he has only been In our service six months
In the country he had very little of value
in his hands; but here. 1t seems to me, he
has too much. All the plate, and indeed
everything Of value. is in his pantry, and
he is a very young boy to trust. One Of the
woman servants should take charge Of the
plate-chest. think. Where does this para
gon Sleep"
Down stairs I said, next the Kitchen
at the back of the house, and you should
the plate basket, counts everything, and
then asks Mrs. Wilson to see if 1t is right,
locks 1t up, and gives her the key to take
care of. No one can either open or carry
away an iron safe easily, and there is
nothing else worth taking; besides know
Joe is honest, 1 feel it,
"Wen. hope SO. dear" was my hus-
bands reply, but I could see he was not
quite comfortable about 1t.
At dinner that day Joe had an accident;
he was dreadfulfy nervous. as usual, and
when waiting ne forgot TO attend TO my
guests first, but always came to me. The
parlor maid, a new one, and not a great IA
vorite with Joe, made matters worse cor
recting him in an audible voice; and once.
J when somebody wanted oyster sauce, she
told Joe to hand it. and the poor boy, wishing
to obey quickly. forget to give the bear
skin wide berth, slipped on 1t, and in a
moment had fallen full length, having in
his fall deposited the contents of the sauce
| tureen partly into a blue leather arm chair
and the rest on to my sisters back.
The boys CONSERVATION was dreadful.
could see he was completely overcome with
fright and sorrow for what he had done
He got up. and all his trembling lips could
| say was. "Oh. please. I'm so sorry; it was
the bear as tripped me up. I am so very
sorry"
| Even my husband could scarcely keep
| from smiling, the sorrow was SO genuine,
| the sense Of shame SO true.
There, never mind. Joe," he said, kindly:
''you must be more careful. Now run and
get sponge and do the best you can with
it."
After that Joe had the greatest terror of
that trcacherous skin. and heard him tell
ing the parior maid about 1T.
"You mind" he said, cor that bear IL
ketch old of yer. I shan't forget how he
ketched old Of my leg that day and
knocked me over; so you'd better take care
and not go higher than you can 'elp. He's
always a-lookin' out to ketch yer but he