Lulu was of course the principal witness, and her modest, self possessed bearing, equally free from boldness and forwardness on the one hand, and bashfulness and timidity on the other, pleased her father extremely and won the admiration of all present; as did also her simple, straightforward way of telling her story.

The evidence was so full and clear that the magistrate had no hesitation in committing the accused for trial at the approaching spring term of court.  In default of bail they were sent back to prison.

“Take me to the nursery, Vi,” Grandma Elsie said, when the departure of the party destined for the magistrate’s office, had left them alone together.  “I feel that an hour with my little grandchildren will be quite refreshing.  The darlings are scarcely less dear to me than were their mother and her brothers and sisters in their infancy.”

“And they are so fond of you, mamma,” responded Violet, leading the way.

Little Elsie set up a glad shout at sight of her grandmother.  “I so glad, I so glad!  P’ease take Elsie on your lap, g’amma, and tell pitty ’tories.”

“Oh don’t begin teazing for stories the very first minute,” said Violet.  “You tire poor, dear grandma.”

“No, mamma, Elsie won’t tease, ’cause papa says it’s naughty.  But dear g’amma likes to tell Elsie ’tories; don’t you, g’amma?”—­climbing into her grandma’s lap.

“Yes, dear; grandma enjoys making her little girl happy,” Mrs. Travilla replied, fondly caressing the little prattler.  “What story shall it be this time?”

“‘Bout Adam and Eve eatin’ dat apple.”

Grandma kindly complied, telling the old story of the fall in simple language suited to the infant comprehension of the baby girl, who listened with as deep an interest as though it were a new tale to her, instead of an oft repeated one.

On its conclusion she sat for a moment as if in profound thought, then looking up into her grandmother’s face,

“Where is dey now?” she asked.

“In heaven, I trust.”

“Elsie’s goin’ to ask dem ’bout dat when Elsie gets to heaven.”

“About what, darling?”

“‘Bout eatin’ dat apple; what dey do it for.”

“It was very wicked for them to take it, because God had forbidden them to do so.”

“Yes, g’amma; Elsie wouldn’t take apple if papa say no.”

“No, I hope not; it is very naughty for children to disobey their papa or mamma.  And we must all obey God our heavenly Father.”

“G’amma, p’ease tell Elsie ’bout heaven.”

“Yes, darling, I will.  It is a beautiful place; with streets of gold, a beautiful river, and trees with delicious fruits; it is never dark, for there is no night there; because Jesus our dear Saviour is there and is the light thereof, so that they do not need the sun or moon.

“Nobody is ever sick, or sorry, hungry, or in pain.  Nobody is ever naughty; they all love God and one another.  There is very sweet music there.  They wear white robes and have crowns of gold on their heads and golden harps in their hands.”