The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-18
The Euening Story
Jasper the Jumper.


hand and plate of hard golden but
ter in the other, flew in opposite di-
rections.
''Heavensl" she exclaimed, probably
not because she saw stars, but be-
cause it was all she could think of.
gone-the last drop 1 could skim off
the pan, and mothers best butter
plate broken. That's pleasant! L Won
der if 1 haven't broken something of
my own-an arm or rib, maybe? 1t
would take mothers mind off the
other. Besides, that would relieve me
of the responsibility of getting dinner
for the Judge"
She felt carefully, then got up and
wiggled both feet around in turn
catch it for splitting the cream. Oh,
darn"
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. Cinderella wasn't in it, for
she had no judge coming, and she had
a fairy godmother in the background"
She sighed. Nothing remarkable
ever happens to me. If 1 were to feed
a charming prince, l could cook all
day, but just because father ran across
prosy old judge at the Panama
Exposition, have to-Gracious! be-
Heve something's burning"
A few minutes later, she was cross
ing the yard to the pump when she
heard a violent commotion among the
chickens near the barn. "A hawk. l
SUPPOSE She raised her eyes. High
in the air was a balloon with some
thing hanging to it that looked like
green stick. AS she watched, the
stick dropped and above it something
unfolded slowly and took unto itself
the shape of an umbrella.
"A parachute man of all thingsi"
she cried. He must be from the cir
Gus
The green man showed some signs
of animation as he neared terra firma
Down, down, he came, creating panic
in the poultry yard and in the heart of
Jenifer, for he landed on the barn.
wait a minute-Ill get a LADDER"
she cried.
Never mindl" he shouted. There's
a straw stack. I'll jump" Which he
did before she could protest.
But your umbrella! she suggested.
And what will become of the bal
loon?"
"Oh. 1 can get the parachute again
itself. I'll get it. Will you tell me,
please. where 1 amp" when he had de-
scended gracefully into the straw and
came up beside her.
Our name is Jordan. Ny father is
Abner Jordan and that is our house
over there!"
"Abner Jordan!"
''Y es-why?"
81 thought the name seemed ia
miliar Will you please excuse my
get-up, Miss Jordan?''
Certainly, under the remarkable
circumstances. But l should think
you'd like pink tights better that
green
Il do-between ourselves-but 1
have to wear what they give me! Will
NIL toll I7f -
to town"
about four milesI"
Great CaesarI Did 1 come so far?
And 1 must get back right away. Is
there rig or horse 1 could borow?"
Il don't think you could scare up
so much as a donkey for miles around
The whole country has gone to see
you
Except you'll why?"
Il had to stay home and cook din
ner. There's judge coming!"
That's too bad. real1y,''
Thanks, but not so bad as it was.
1t was kind of you to-to-what do
you call it?-f1Cat over this way and
land on our barn like-who is it?-
Ali Bahia or Sindbad or somebody like
that
He laughed 1.-The man with the
flying trunk. Like me, he had no
name"
I'm incognito for the present
the Jumper"
You can have rig when the fam
lily returns, of course
Thank you! It's a little late, but"
He glanced at her sideways. Can 1
help you if 1 waltz
She considered a minute. Can you
make French dressing and cream
sauce and ice a cake, end-'
You're just right I can. I'm a
regular Delmonico. Try me-"
''Well-you aren't dressed exactly
like a chef. 1 should say-but 1 can
lend you a big apron and cap. I've
pink one that would look cute with
your green"
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 afternoon
Il spilled all the cream irrelevant
ly. for the ice cream. Now we can't
'I'll bet the judge hates it anyway.
have a bunch he'd like apple tapi-
oca instead"
II don't know how to make it."
"Oh, don't you? Well, l do. Trot
out the tapioca and milk and apples
and stuff. told you 1 knew how to
cook
The preparations in the kitchen
progressed wonderfully and when the
Jordans returned the house was full
of delicious doors
Its the queerest thing we couldn't
find the Judge" Abner was exclaim-
ing stentoriously on the front veranda
while his spouse rustIed kitchenward
to reconnoiter.
Good graciousi" she gasped, stop
ping in the doorway. For there was
an apparition in green tights, only
trying to spread white icing on a
chocolate cake.