Evening star., 1915-12-05

into the seat. BLESS me-" he painted.
7 don't know when rye had such q
climb. I can't stand much Of that sort
No" She remarked. dryly; It see you
can't"
Cousin Pamela considerably hit the
| horse a cut, and they clipped along at
top speed. The country road was full
of ruts. and it seemed to John Henry
that the wheels of the blackboard hit
every hole there was in the ground
He was pretty we'll stirred up when
Cousin Pamela at last halted at her
door.
Better go right in the house. John
Henry she advised. I've got to put
up the horse and feed my chickens;
then I'll come and we'll have supper"
Sore in every joint. he was glad to
obey. But If getting on the buck
board was hard. getting off was worse
Long unaccustomed to any sort of phys
ical effort. he was very awkward, and
finally fell his whole length as he
/ Cousin Pamela helped him up. but she
laughed all the time she was at it.
You great, clumsy bird, John Henry"
she cackled. Time was when you
could somersault. but you'd break your
blasted neck now if you tried that kind
of thing. You're a whole lot younger
than l am in years. but you're aged
awfully somehow. Lordy! I can beat
you at anything these days"
His vanity was touched This sick
ness Of mine" he began.
| "Pooh"' she interrupted. What ails
you is nothing but lack Of exercise. 1
knew it the minute 1 laid eyes on you.
ham and two baked potatoes. Get out
side of them. and then go upstairs and
tumble into the first bed you come to.
Breakfast is at 6 o'clock sharp"
so this is my Cousin Pamela, he
thought. as he went to bed. She's got
no sympathy for sickness. l can see
that"
No night in all his experience was
was cool and sweet et-smelling. and he
slept dreamlessly. 1t seemed to him
that he had but just gone to bed when
he heard his name called from the bot
| tom of the stairs.
"Yes-yes-coming!" he replied. And
down he went
4 fine breakfast was on the table
Now. John Henry" began Cousin
Pamela. II haven't done any washing
for nigh onto six weeks. because my
fixed. and II you've mind to you
| NAV turn the wheel. soon as we finish
eating. I'll make the beds and wash
dishes while you are busy with the ma
chine"
John Henry easped. He really turned
| a little palei But shutting his teeth he
! grimly obeyed. Can it be possible
can It be possible that I'm actually do
|
! self as the machine clanked under his
| unsteady strokes Il won't stand for
1t. TIL go home"
| There was an excellent dinner with
| chicken dumplings. Tired. sore, aching
| in all his bones, he yet did ample JUS
tice to the good things spread lavishly
| before him. Cousin Pamela was an ex-
ce1lent cook and skimped on nothing.
II may as we'll stay few days" he
work won't last always. And I do
I enjoy Cousin Pamela's good meals. OF
course. my wife is a good cook. but
she hasn't SO much good stun to cook
! with as there is here"
| Then he asked his cousin for bottle
of liniment. which she gave him. and
he rubbed it on his stiffened muscles.
The day following his exercise on the
washing machine Cousin Pamela called
his attention to her garden. When
ually remarked. nobody could beat
YOU with the hoe. I just wish you'd
20 over my beets and beans once or
twice. They need it awfully." John
| Henry's heart sank nearly into his
| shoes. but he wouldn't finch under
| Cousin Pamela's unsympathetic eyes,
He'd do that garden or die in the at
| ITS SO long since I've worked in a
garden that I may cut down the beets
and the beans" he replied. but TIL see
| what can do"
"And I'll try my hand at a hot GIN
eerbread. You used to punish hot gin
berbread In your salad days., quoth
| Pamela.
Il can punish it yet" and he hit a
| bunch of weeds.
Certainly looks that way" And she
| went into the kitchen.
How he ever survived that strenuous