from Philadelphia had
questioned the plan a little when it was told her, and had suggested
that "if everybody had the same key there would be no particular use in
a lock."

"Did you explain to her," said Mrs. Peterkin, "that we were not all
to have the same keys?"

"I couldn't quite understand her," said Elizabeth Eliza, "but she seemed
to think that burglars and other people might come in if the keys were
the same."

"Agamemnon would not sell his patent to burglars!" said Mrs. Peterkin,
indignantly.

"But about other people," said Elizabeth Eliza; "there is my upper
drawer; the little boys might open it at Christmas-time,--and their
presents in it!"

"And I am not sure that I could trust Amanda," said Mrs. Peterkin,
considering.

Both she and Elizabeth Eliza felt that Mr. Peterkin ought to know what
the lady from Philadelphia had suggested. Elizabeth Eliza then proposed
going into town, but it would take so long she might not reach them in
time. A telegram would be better, and she ventured to suggest using the
Telegraph Alarm.

For, on moving into their new house, they had discovered it was provided
with all the modern improvements. This had been a disappointment to Mrs.
Peterkin, for she was afraid of them, since their experience the last
winter, when 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.

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