Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-11
THE
MAN ON THE BOX
BY HAROLD MacGRATH
Author of The Grey Cloak" Puppet
Copyright. 1904 The Bobbs-Merrill Company.

the porcelain save In the tubs. Do
you understand"
Eyes, Miss. There were no orders to
that effect last night, however" He
was angry.
Monsieur Pierre puffed up like the
lady-frog in Aesops fables.
"And listen, Pierre" she said, col
lapsing the bubble Of the chefs con-
ceit, "you must give no orders to
James. l will do that. l do not wish
any tale-bearing or quarreling among
my servants. l insist upon this OBJ
serve me carefully, Pierre, and you,
James,"
James did observe her carefully, so
carefully, indeed, that her gaze was
forced to wander to the Inundated
countenance of Monsieur Pierre.
James, you must not look at me like
that. There is something in your eyes;
I can't explain what 1t Isl but it some
how lacks the respect due me-" This
command was spoken coldly and
sharply.
"Respect?" He drew step back
81 disrespectful to you, Miss Annesley?
Oh, you wrong me. There can not be
any one more respectful to you than
am" The sincerity of his tones could
not be denied. In fact, he was almost
too sincere.
Nevertheless, wish you to regard
what have said Now, you two shake
hands,"
The groom and the chef shook hands.
I am ashamed to say that James
squeezed Monsieur Pierre's flabby hand
out of active service for several hours
that followed. Beads of agony sparkled
on Monsieur Pierre's expansive brow
Is he turned to enter the kitchen.
"Shall we ride to-day, Miss?" he
asked, inwardly amused.
No, shall not ride this morning."
calmly.
James bowed meekly under the re-
Duke. What did he care? Did he not
possess rose which had known the
pressure of her lips, her warm, red
lips?
You may co. she said.
James went. James whistled on the
way too.
Would that it had been my good for
tune to have witnessed the episode Of
that afternoon! My jehu, when he
hears it related these days, smiles
slckly grin. do not believe that he
ever laughed heartily over it. At three
o'clock, while Warburton was reading
the morning paper, interested especial
ly in the army news of the day, he
heard Pierre's voice wailing.
Whats the fat fool want now"
James grumbled to William.
"Oh, he's always yelling for help
They've coddled him so long in the
family that he acts like ten-year-
old kid. l stole kiss from Celeste
one day, and will be shot if he didn't
start to blubbes."
"You stole kiss, eh?" said James
admiringly.
Only just for the sport of making
him crazy, that was ALL" But Will
liam's red visage belied his Indifferent
tone. you'd better go and see what
he wants. My hands are all harness
grease"
Warburton concluded to follow Will
liam's advice. He flung down his paper
and strobe out to the sear porch, where
he saw Pierre gesticulating wildly.
whats the matter? What do you
want "-churlishly.
"Frightful! Zee stove-pipe ees vat
you call bust!'
James laughed.
81 can not rrreach eet. 1 can not
cook till Get ees fix. You are tall
eh?"-affably.
"All right; I'll help you fix il"
Grumbling, James went into the
kitchen, mounted chair, and began
banging away at the pipe, very much
after the fashion Of Burners "Cul-
pepper Ferguson" The pipe acted pig
gish. James grew determined. One
end slipped in and then the other
slipped out half dozen times James
lost patience and became angry; and in
his anger he overreached himself The
chair slid back. He tried to balance
himself and, in the mad effort to main
tain perpendicular position, made a
frantic clutch at the pipe. Ruin and
devastation! Down came the pipe, and
with it peck of greasy soot..
Monsieur Pierre yelled with terror
and despair. The pies on the rear end
of the stove we're lost for ever. Made
moiselle Celeste screamed with
laughter, whether at the sight of the
pies or Msieu thames, is more than
l can say.
James rose to his feet, the cuss-
words Of a corporal rumbled behind
his lips. He sent an energetic kick
toward Pierre, who succeeded in elud-
ing it.
Pierre's eyes were full of tears. What
kitchen! SCOT, SCOT, everywhere, on
the floor, on the tables, on the walls,
in the air!
Zee pipe!" he burst forth; zee
pipe! You hat zee house full Of gas!"