The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-28

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kept it bravely up, almost awed himself
by the startling noise the bell made or
the still night air.
After moment he let the string hang
motionless, and shrinking back into his
corner listened, with beating heart, fol
the result.
The thieves had evidently been alarm.
ed, for Eric heard them talking in low
quick whispers, and just as he was about
to return to the window again, he heard
their stealthy footsteps coming up the
stairs, and saw that they had either left
their lamp behind or had extinguished it.
Letting out his string to its utmost
length. Eric began to jerk it again with
great energy.
With q smothered exclamation the men
ran for the window, dropping in their
haste one Of the bags, darted out and de-
scended the ladder in trice.
AS they disappeared, Eric drew in his
bell, and seizing it by the handle, darted
after them, and just as the men touched
the last round Of the ladder, began ring
ing it from the window as hard as he
could.
Cowards up to the last, the men took
to their heele, and ran for dear life, for
getting their cart and ladder in their
haste, and leaving Eric "sole master OF
the field" as still ringing first at one
window and then at another, he managed
after lapse of five minutes to bring a
policeman on the scene.
Eric quickly climbed down the ladder
and told his story, to which the police
man listened in some doubt.
every WE'LL" said he briefly. "I'll have
to take you to the station all the same.
You can tell your story there"
Eric did tell his story there, and the
officer in charge, after questioning him
closely, seemed disposed to believe him.
"But I must detain you," he said,
gravely. "This is serious matter, and
we must hear what Mr.. Hall says. I will
send word to your parents, SO that they
need not be alarmed at your absence"
"Very WE'LL" said Eric resignedly, and
he stretched himself on the bare bench
to pass the few remaining hours before
daylight
The next morning, Thomas Gratz,
rather curious as to how his little re-
venge had worked, started for the office
much earlier than usual, and unlocked
the door with certain feeling Of trepid-
alton az to how he might be met by this
"young upstart."
But of course no one was visible, and
his surprise knew no bounds, while at
the sight Of the bag, and the slight con
fusion by one window, he began to expe-
rience guilty sensation Of fear as he
wondered uneasily what had happened.
Still, when Mr.. Hall arrived, he put on
an air of perfect unconcern, and when
asked if Eric had gotten off all right, re-
piled, Eyes, sir" very respectfully, though
he well knew that the falsehood, il found
out, would forfeit him his situation at
once.
At nine o'clock that morning, Mr.. Hall
and his clerk were surprised by the ap-
peRrsnce of Eric and policeman.
"Mr. Hail." said the policeman with
out any preamble. "thieves broke into
your warehouse last night"
"Broke into this warehousel" exclsim-
Mr.. Hall. "How is chat possible? I left
you here"-turning to Gratz-"and you
heard nothing?"
I'll" stsmmered the frightened
Thomas, and then could say no more.
"There was no one in the warehouse
but me-" spoke up Eric, quietly.
And then he told his story, to which
Mr.. Hall listened with increasing wrath
against his clerk. At its conclusion he
dismissed the policeman with thanks,
and then said in stern voice.
"Is it possible? Very we'll, Thomas
Grstz. you can go-not tomorrow or
next week, but nowl have long been
dissatisfied with you, so there, sir, is your
"Do not speak; it isn't necessary We
will wait to do that when you are gone"
And wait he did, with eyes fixed upon
the discomfited clerk that made him stink
away without half his belongings. Then
he turned to Eric, with a friendly smile,
and with an abruptness that startled him
as much as he had formerly startled Mr..
Hall, he said:
swell. Eric, suppose you would be
willing to come and take his placer"
E -ic started, blushed, and then looked
confused. As much as was possible in
human nature he felt sorry for Gratz.
and wished it had not b seu through him
that he had gotten his discharge; but still,
to be clark in the great Hall Storage
Warehouse was wonderful rise from
his former position, and he closed with
the offer at once.
Well. then, Eric, Monday morn ing at
eight o'clock. That will give you a
weeks notice at your other place. and
give me chance to see about getting Sc
cure fastenings for the windows. But
stayr' as Eric was about to depart. 81
shall give you no money for your brave
adventure, but in day or so hope you
will not refuse to take what every boy
should have"