n their water-pipes were frozen
up. She had been originally attracted to the house by an old pump at
the side, which had led her to believe there were no modern
improvements. It had pleased the little boys, too. They liked to pump
the handle up and down, and agreed to pump all the water needed, and
bring it into the house.

[Illustration]

There was an old well, with a picturesque well-sweep, in a corner by
the barn. Mrs. Peterkin was frightened by this at first. She was
afraid the little boys would be falling in every day. And they showed
great fondness for pulling the bucket up and down. It proved, however,
that the well was dry. There was no water in it; so she had some moss
thrown down, and an old feather-bed, for safety, and the old well was
a favorite place of amusement.

The house, it had proved, was well furnished with bath-rooms, and
"set-waters" everywhere. Water-pipes and gas-pipes all over the house;
and a hack-, telegraph-, and fire-alarm, with a little knob for each.

Mrs. Peterkin was very anxious. She feared the little boys would be
summoning somebody all the time, and it was decided to conceal from
them the use of the knobs, and the card of directions at the side was
destroyed. Agamemnon had made one of his first inventions to help
this. He had arranged a number of similar knobs to be put in rows in
different parts of the house, to appear as if they were intended for
ornament, and had added some to the original knobs. Mrs. Peterkin felt
more secure, and Agamemnon thought of taking out a patent for this
invention.

It was, therefore, with some doubt that Elizabeth Eliza proposed
sending a telegram to her father. Mrs. Peterkin, however, was pleased
with the idea. Solomon John was out, and the little boys were at
school, and she herself would touch the knob, while Elizabeth Eliza
should write the telegram.

"I think it is the fourth knob from the beginning," she said, looking
at one of the rows of knobs.

Elizabeth Eliza was sure of this. Agamemnon, she believed, had put
three extra knobs at each end.

[Illustration]

"But which is the end, and which is the beginning,--the top or the
bottom?" Mrs. Peterkin asked hopelessly.

Still she bravely selected a knob, and Elizabeth Eliza hastened with
her to look out for the messenger. How soon should they see the
telegraph boy?

They seemed to have scarcely reached the window, when a terrible noise
was heard, and down the shady street the white hor