The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-11-14
TRAGEDY OF
A LAMP

of more than another 1t was the rar
lor lamp II had been bought at a
, department store bargain sale; value
not cent less than $40, but in con
/, sideration OF past patronage on this
particular day ii had been marked
down to says Hence upon the pay
ment OF this insignificant sum the
Diapers had come into the possession
of a real ornament to the parlor
The eldest son was accustomed to
refer TO it irreyorently as the four
flush lamp because it wasn't the
real thing The only light it could
give came from the pink candle con-
cealed beneath the spreading shade
Of red crepe paper. An elegantly
carved brass column, resting upon
| tripod. supported the socket which
held the candle The lamp rested upon
the floor beside the piano, and the
/ Diapers We're of the opinion that il
impaired an air of elegance and re-
finement to the parlor which nothing
else could bestow They We're con
tident OF it, in fact, because Clarinda
Diapers young man had declared SO
in so many words, thereby raising
himself inestimably in the opinion of
Clarinda and her mother
The Diapers were somewhat ex.
cited on this particular evening, be-
cause the new minister was coming
to call, and the lamp had been lit in
honor OF the event, the pink shade
diffGsing a soft glow which the fam
lily was quite sure gave the parlor a
comfortable, not to say luxurious, air
Tom, the eldest son. threw out dark
hints as to the possibility of the
candle setting fire to the shade and
burning the house down, but the rest
of the family merely rejected his opin-
ions with silent scorn
The minister arrived, a tall gaunt.
sepuIchral-voiced man with a dignity
about him that awed Johnny, the
youngest member of the family down
to his boots Mrs Draper mad allowed
Johnny to come into the parlor be-
cause she was sure the minister would
be attracted by his cute, winning
ways. The minister was invited to sit
down in the large armchair which
had been purposely placed by the
brass lamp so that its glow might
light up his reverend features for the
sdifcation of the household and also
in the hope that he might be led to
make some remark in regard to its /
transcendeut beauty.
Johnny stood behind his mothers I
chair and eyed the visitor steathily
The minister caught sight of him and /
held out his hand inyitingly.
Come here, my little man. and .
shake hands with me, he said
Johnny came forward with sheep
ish smile, one finger stuck shyly in
his mouth.
My, my. what great, heavy boy +
said the minister as he lifted him to .
his lap. Why. you are almost man
aren't your
Te-he" said Johnny, keeping his /
eyes upon the floor. while his mother .
eyed him with maternal pride.
Il trust you are a good little boy .
and go to Sunday school regularly 81
said the minister, patting him gently
upon mis- bristling hair.
"Mmh M said Johnny, glancing
apprehehsiyely at his mother, who
smiled back at him reassuringly.
Now tell mellow old are you?"
inquired the minister, graciously
Nine yuhs old goin on ten what
makes yer button yer collar back o
-er neck?' said Johnny without stop
ring for breath.
JOHNNY" gasped the mother You
-"
But she got no further There came
sputtering hiss from the lamp he
lind, followed by an explosive snap.
particle OF kissing fire spun through
he air and landed upon the reverend /
mans neck who instantly forgot all
rs dignity, and giving a yell, cIawed
ladly at his collar behind. In an
Instant the paper shade of the lamp
as in flames The staggering preach
r struck il with an elbow and the I
all lamp fell to the floor with blaz-
lg crash. the flames were communi-
ated TO the carpet and in a moment /
small confagraion was in progress.
he uprOar Immediately became ter
hc. The shrieks of Clarinda and
~ mother mingled with the hoarse
'outs of The minister
Almost in second Tom the oldest
IN. was In the room. He gathered
p the flaming lamp and hurled it
trough an open window into the
rect below. then quickly smothered
be- blaze in The carpet with a nearby
g.
The single figure who stood motion
u.s. and silent through this exciting
'rIod was Johnny who crouched
ick in the corner. striving in vain to
i've the apprehension from his start.
z eyes. His mother caught sight Of
s. fearful. face The attitude that
be- assumed as she searched his Coun
nance betokened dark suspicion.
Johnny" she exclaimed Have
~ been fooling with that lamp
NlWm said Johnny. uneasily.
Johnny. look me straight Ia the
e. said his mother. menacinely