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 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 have touched the carriage-knob," cried Mrs.Peterkin, "and I pushed it half-a-dozen times I felt so anxious!"Six hacks stood before the door.All the village boys were assembling.Even their own little boys had returned from school, and were showing the firemen the way to the well.
