Litchfield enquirer., 1835-03-12

1 prince rich merchant s0fcerer j? a demon! He repulsed these last supposi- tions, and hit upon the idea that he was negotiating with some capricious lord.- 1 ife was too tender father, however. to give up his son thus to chance; he promis- ed himself that he would not return to the rendezvous.
 But the next day great storm began. Torrents ot rain poured down upon the earth. The harvests, which remained wi,h- out shelter, suffered very much. John wept witl, sorrow, and thinking that his wife and children would soon languish in misery, he now began to look with less dread upon the sacrifice of the second child. lie thought that, perhaps, tho stranger who bought him so dear nigh, make him hap py, give hin, fortune, that he had done wrong to repulse him-and he reached the appointcd place first.
 His reflections were bitter. It was al- most dark night, when he heard a slight noisc-the leaves of the old nut tree were briskly moved, as if there was tempest in the air, though the weather was calm, and immediately John saw arrive the man with the silver looped hat.
 have only an instant 10 give you, said he, l am returning to VAvorde-How do you decide? l am no longer master of my astonish- ment, said the farmer. You eau rebuild my barn and make it the largest in Bra- bant, and have it finished this night2 Before the first growing of the cock, repeat it.-If fail in any of my conditions, will not exact the fulhiment of yuurs.
 And my grain, which the rain is begin ming to spoil, can you spread it, dry it and bring it in?
 | A Ali shall be donc within the time, and moreover here is purse which contains a thousand Aorins. Is that enough to make up your losses from yesterdays storm?
 Oh, certainly, said the farmer, in great agitation.
 Accept it then, and let us conclude.
 And my son, what are you going to do with him 2
 ! What do with those who are under my orders, and who are going to build for you.
 There was new silence. e.--after which John Meulans asked, when shall you take him away shall come to ask you for him. I--I consent, said John after long sigh. | Sign this, said thc mun, md aA will be concluded. As he said this he drew from his pocket small leaf of parchment, the extreme whiteness of which made the wri- 1 ting plain notwithstanding it had become al- ready quite dark.
 :. Is it only this, said Menlans with trem- bling voice! [ Nothing more, the farmer read, howcv- CT, tho letters were red and shining. At the same ti.mc the unknown took small iron pen.
 But wo have no ink, said John Meulans ]: that is true, but we can provide ourseli with some.
 ! Immediately, by motion so quick tlIat one could scarcely see it, the unknown with the point of his iron pen, pricked the left hand of the farmer under the ring finger, a litilo blood flowed out, he collected it in the point of the pen, and the farmer sgned with trembling hand.
 As soon as he had done, the stranger duu- bled up the parchment and disappeared, as if he had flown.
 The farmer thought himself in dream. He became convinced however that his adventure was real, iron, feeling in his hand the purse with thousand Aorins. He re- turned home, half fearing, half hoping, and feeling in his heart that inexpressible trou- ble, which man suffers, who without knowing why, is discontenied with himself.
 It was dark night when he returned to his farm yard. IL was already filled wilIi a crowd of little beings, but of singular a. gility, who wero carrying posts, brick, straw, mortar, blanks. They were work ing with incredible ardor, and with such an astonishing silence, that they could be seen saving, cutting and han,mering without the leas. noise being heard.
 The cement of the bricks dried as soon as it was put on. Their labours were made visible by the light which shone from their own faces, whence seemed to stream lghtness like that of fire.
 John Meulans was frightened. He tho't he could perceive little horns on the fore- heads of the active workmen who were la- pouring upon his barn. It appeared to him that they had claws instead of hands, and that they flew rather than climbed up the steps ofthe ladders. Have signed com pact with the devil, said he to himself, with his heart breaking. From the rapidily of the ~ork which was going on under his eyes, and thousand little circumsisnccs, Do could no longer dosbt it. Shuddering at this thought. dcspairiHg with horror ut having sold his son, ho opened the door of A A. |. {