The Pulaskian., 1916-05-19
JUMPING JASPER By CLAIRE RiTcHiE.

Du0 Lcit dlSluAlJS IuCn 6Ob uP nh0 wiggled both feet around in turn.
 Jenifer returned to the kitchen and looked around. It's just my luck to have to stay home from the circus and cook while all the family enjoy them selves"
 She sighed. Nothing remarkable ever happens to me. If 1 were to feed a charming prince, I could cook all day, but just because father ran across a prosy old judge at the Pan anna exposition, have to-Gracious! I believe something's burning"
 A few minutes later she heard a violent commotion among the chick ems near the barn. She raised her eyes. High in the air was balloon with something hanging to it.
 "A parachute man of all things!" she cried. He must be from the cir. cus."
 The man showed some signs of ami. nation as he neared terra firma. He landed on the barn.
 Wait minute-I'll get ladder!" she cried.
 Never mind!" he shouted. There's straw stack. I'll jump" Which he did before she could protest.
 twill you tell me, please, where ann"
 Our name is Jordan. My father is Abner Jordan and that is our house oyer therei"
 "Will you please excuse my get-up, Miss Jordan? Will you please tell me how far it is back to town?"
 About four miles!"
 Great Caesar! Did I come so far? And must get back right away. Is there a rig or horse could borrow?''
 T don't think you could scare up so much as donkey for miles around. The whole country has gone to see you"
 Except you! Why?"
 T had to stay home and cook din. ner. There's a judge coming
 That's too bad, really!"
 Thanks, but not so bad as it was. It was kind of you to-to-wbat do you call it?-f1oat over this way and land on our barn ike-who was it?- Ali Baba or Sindbad or somebody like that'
 He laughed. "The man with the fly ing trunk. Like me, he had no name. J
 Like you?" wide eyed.
 "I'm incognito for the present known only to the world as Jasper the Jumper"
 You can have a rig when the fam, fly returns, of course"
 Thank you! It's little late, but" He glanced at her sideways. Gan l help you if I wait?"
 'Well-you aren't dressed exactly like chef, I should say-but I can lend you big apron and cap. Iv. pink one that would look cute"
 You are making fun of me- I've a good notion to go out to that straw stack and sulk for the remainder of the afternon."
 T spilled all the cream" irrelevant. ly, flor the ice cream. Now we can't have it. don't know what to dol"
 'I'll bet the judge hates it anyway. have hunch he'd like apple tapioca instead"
 sT don't know how to make it.''
 "Oh, don't you? We'll, I do. Trot out the tapioca and milk and apples and stuff. I told you I knew how to cook!"
 The preparations in the kitchen progressed wonderfully, and when the Jordans returned the house was full of delicious odors.
 Its the queerest thing we couldn't find the judge," Abner was exclaiming stentoriously on the front veranda while his spouse rustled kitchenward to reconnoiter.
 "Good-gracious!" she gasped, stop. ping in the doorway. For there was an apparition in green tights, only partially covered by a gingham apron, trying to spread white icing on a chocolate cake.
 Its going to run" he was say ing when Mrs. Jordan's exclamation cut him short.
 "Oh, mother, are you home? This is Mr.-Jasper the Jumper, didn't you say? He came in balloon and he's helping me with dinner"
 But Mrs. Jordan had fled. Her face was enough to make Abner himself fly to the kitchen to investigate the trouble Whats wrong-what's wrong?"
 He stood for an instant as had his wife-speechless. Then. "Whoo-ee! If it ain't the judge! Whats happened and what in time are you doing?"
 Helping to get my own dinner. You see-plague take this icing. It won't stick! came unexpectedly. The parachute man got sick and. my room being next to his in the hotel, did what I could for him and offered to fill his contract today. He needed the money and it's cinch to do it. I came of a family of athletes, you ! <~ y~s~ J1,. q