Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-18


OF course we all rushed into the dining-room, to
find Uncle Simcl incapable for once OF giving
advice as he capered wildly about the room, quite
uncertain what to do In the course of his explora-
lions he had taken out the ash pan and set II upon
a newspaper to preserve the carpet from injury.
Being hot as ash pans are apt to be- It mao
smouldered for moment, and then nasned sud'
denly into a blaze Mr.. Parker was the only one
of us who had any sense. He took in the sltua-
ton at once and rushing from the room, returned
with some dark object which he threw over the
burning paper, pressing and trampllng IL GOWN
until the flames were completely smotnered. uncie
Simon looked at the ruins for moment as MI
Parker removed the charred remains OF his new
overcoat.
For once thought Uncle Simon will find ii
impossible to give advice. But was mistaken.
at is all Amanda's fault" said Uncle simon.
What does she mean by keeping her ash pans SO
hot? l must go and speak to her about It
Even Amanda, the long-suffering, blazed up
this time as fiercely as the paper had done
heard her voice choked with angry tears but any
idea of the mischief which Uncle Simon was doing
/ had not for Lulu whispering in my ear:
II had letter from George Maxwell to-day. he
wants to know how you are getting on, ana WHY
YOU don't write to him What shall say"
Say? Let her say what she pleases IL he
wants to know about me- let him ask me himself
1t is an impertinence to send messages In tns
roundabout way, What is 1t to me?
Just as wrote the last word. Amanda came to
my door. 49,
II
amt the work mind. No, miss, it amt the work
but it's this beastly nag, nag, nagging, that an
angel of light couldn't stand, let alone the old Eel
low himself saving his presence! He must teach
me to boil and bake and roast and fry, to kneao
bread and scrub floors and make beds, and the
dear knows what ALI I've got a sick sister and
lame brother, and he gives good wages, OF
couldn't have stood it as long as l have I'm al
the end of my patience now, though, and good luck
to him with the next one! pinned disn-coth
to his coat tail once. said Amanda with hysterlc
giggle "and he wore 1t all day. | took II on az
night unbeknownst to him, and he's been wonaef
ing ever since what made folks laugh SO that DAY
I'm sorry to leave you miss but him can't stand
nor won't Only one thing. miss: don't you go
cooking for him, if he goes down on his Dended
knees saints own temper couldn't stand H.
and you'd find wrinkles coming round your pretty
eyes before yon knew It,"
No. Amanda | shall not cook for him--not !
III starve first. wonder whether breakfast WIZ
he early tomorrow? | wonder whether 1t Will De
good? THE day will come, and we shall be wiser
as Gregory Lopez was fond OF saying
November %.
1t wasn't early, and it wasn't good was
awakened about eight o'clock by modest knock
Of INV door | answered through the key-hole.
Amanda has gone," said Uncle Simon; and
expressed all due surprise Can you COOK! Was
the next inquiry, to which returned prompl
and decided negative.
Having by this time struggled into wrapper,
opened my door to find Uncle Simon looking
nncommonly thoughtful
You sure you can not COOK Maooie' ne
asked again.
aDear uncle what chance have ever had 10
learn? But that does not matter. for you excel In
it, you know.
But replied, brisky why, certainly no"
often have heard you giving Amanda directions
and wondered at your skill! What breakfast We
shall have, am hungry already at the though
of it,"
Uncle simon went downstairs slowly, very
I afr /