The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-21

| go TO sleep. L can tell MIN ABOUT Il
when go home"
"You turned off the lights. didnt
your" asked auntie of Uncle Fred, fif
teen minutes later, as he shut ano
locked the door,
YES" he answered. Everything is
as dark as pocket. There comes
our carl, And. in a twinkling. they
we're on their way to the City Hall.
Was there anything ever half as love
ly as the music Eva heard that night?
The singer had on such beautiful
dress, too; and the little boy that played
the violin wasn't a mite bigger than
she!
II don't believe he could come all
alone on the cars from Cedarville
though" said Eva to herself.
How the people did clap when he
made his bow for the last time, and the
curtain dropped!
Ibid you enjoy it. dear?" asked Uncle
Fred, on the way home.
"Oh, guess | did! 1t was just splen-
did~
"Court Street," called the conductor.
"Sleepy, Eva?" asked auntie. as Uncle
Fred helped them off. Little girls
shouldn't be up as lateas this very often
should they? But-why! What is the
matter?" And she stopped short on the
corner and grasped Uncle Fred's arm.
He gave low whistle.
When they left two hours ago, the
house was dark and gloomy; but now
it was ablaze with light from top to
bottom.
1.-THE house is on fire or else there's
a surprise party" cried auntie.
"'Tisn't fire." said Mr.. Chase; and
no party, for there is no one moving.
See! the shades are up" And he ran
up the steps.
The house was lighted by electricity,
and it was plain to be seen some one had
turned on the lights while they were
away. Who could it be? They had left
no one in the house.
"Oh, don't go in withouta policeman"
begged auntie.
So one was called, and he and Mr..
Chase searched the house. Upstairs.
downstairs, and in my lady's chamber
they went; but not soul did they find.
In corners, hooks, and closets they
looked; but nothing was out of place.
"You may as we'll go to bed" said the
policeman. mo one is here now, at any
rate. You must have forgotten to turn
off the lights"
"But I know l did turn them off,"
said Mr.. Chase; and Eva nodded her
little head. She remembered auntie's
asking him. and of glancing back as she
ran down the walk. 1t always seemed
SO wonderful to her that one could dark
en- or light whole house by just touch
ing magic spring! You couldn't light
the lamps af Cedarville in that way.
well, / can't explain it," said the
policeman; "but you're all right now.
Good night"
Eva was sure she could never go to
sleep, but her head scarcely touched the
pillow before she was carried off to
dreamland
Several days went by, and the mystery
was still unsolved. Nothing was miss
ing. and Uncle Fred said,-
EITHER the house is bewitched or it
was burglar who got frightened and
left; for know l turned the lights off.
One evening. just at dusk, auntie sat
by the fire place in the sitting room,
holding Eva The little girl wasn't ex
actly homesick; but it had rained all
day, and she would like to see mamma
and little Bonnie.
Auntie looked at the sober little face.
aud then said:
10 Eva! When / was little girl, I
Why! What in the world" The room
was all ablaze with light!
Eva jumped Gown, pale with fright;
while auntie, hearing little noise, ran
to the sofa. How she laughed!
"Come quick. Eva. We've caught the
burglar in the very act!"
The lights were turned on by means oil
cord that hung just above the sofa.
Topsy, the black kitten. feeling rather
frisky, had caught hold of the cord, and
giving it little pull, had lighted the
whole house. He was standing now or
his hind legs, playing with the little tas
sci.
Why. Topsy" said auntie. what 8
fright you have given us!" While Eva
hearing Uncle Fred's step in the hall
skipped out to tell him to come quick
aud catch the burglar, who now curleo