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.

"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 horses of the
fire-brigade were seen rushing at a fatal speed!

It was a terrific moment!

"I have touched the fire-alarm," Mrs. Peterkin exclaimed.

Both rushed to open the front door in agony. By this time the
fire-engines were approaching.

"Do not be alarmed," said the chief engineer; "the furniture shall be
carefully covered, and we will move all that is necessary."

"Move again!" exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin, in agony.

Elizabeth Eliza strove to explain that she was only sending a telegram
to her father, who was in Boston.

"It is not important," said the head engineer; "the fire will all be
out before it could reach him."

And he ran upstairs, for the engines were beginning to play upon the
roof.

Mrs. Peterkin rushed to the knobs again hurriedly; there was more
necessity for summoning Mr. Peterkin home.

"Write a telegram to your father," she said to Elizabeth Eliza, "to
'come home directly.'"

"That will take but three words," said Elizabeth Eliza, with presence of
mind, "and we need ten. I was just trying to make them out."

"What has come now?" exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin, and they hurried
again to the window, to see a row of carriages coming down the street.

"I must