Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-12-16
TIE BOND.

There is no country which abounds
more in works OF imagination than
Germany; where the wildness OF the
scenery-the awe-inspiring grandeur
of the mountains, and The mysterious
solitudes of the forests, seem TO betray
the mind into belief in supernatural
agency, even in the disposition OF
events the most trivial.
An instance OF this delusion, to an
almost fatal extent, occurred to friend
Of mine residing at
He was very much addicted to read
ing works of fiction, in which the
arch-enemy Of man. and his numerous
agents, figure; and he might often be
seen with his book, vending his way
towards some gloomy recess, where he
could indulge his appetite for reverle
and solitude.
He was noticed, after one of these
rambles. to be 10 very responding
state, often eXclaIming, IL am a lost
man! lie has me! The deed is signed
and sealed!" In short, nothing could
be obtained from him but lamentations
for having committed himself in some
way 10 the arch-fend. AT last, after
much solicitation, the cause of his mel
nncholy was frankly disclosed. He
gave a circumstan,ial detail of his hav-
ing been visited by Satan in person. -
He was reading, he said, marvellous
account of an interview between Satan
and some great philosopher, who had
sought necessarily for the means of pro.
curing longer lease of life than is gen
orally granted to mortals, for the pur'
pose of studying those abstruse scien
ces, the truth of which, he was persua
ded, the life of man did not afford sutli
tient time to develope. 1t stated tina
his Internal majesty appeared to The
philosopher in the form of counsellor
with bundle of parchment under hi
arm, and bottle Of indelible ink in hi.
hand; and, addressing him, said, "h,
knew what he wanted, and had taker
the liberty of laying him under an OBJ
legation by granting his desires, with,
out expecting any equivalent worthy
ofthe gift. That his bonds were ready
printed by his devils and fit for use
wanting only the signatures. That he
had had little else to do Of late but sup
ply mortals with more time as the
march of intellect was so rapid, that
the life OF man was passed over be-
fore he had half finished his studies. -
He felt deep compassion for their
yvrstched condition, and had sacrificed
his personal convenience for the good
of his adopted mortal iavorite; without
expecting any greater return from his
gratitude, than simply to enjoy the
pleasure of his company after he had al
length closed his earthly labours."
My friend added, when he had
reached this part of the narrative hi
Involuntary exclaimed "Impossible
What! the devil To- show himself 10 |
man in bodily shape, and hold conver
sation with him! l never will believe
it."
These words had scarcely passed hi.
lips when an ugly, blackened, stunied
trunk of tree, which stood directly
opposite to him, gradually assumed the
hu man shape in the form ola respeeta
ble-looking old gentleman dressed ID
black. who, with a good -natured smile
on his countenance, tibet seemed TO say
What, you would not believe it
wouldn't you9" at once produced |
roll of parchment, with the words "Sa
tanic Policy of Assurance" printed OF
It, aud politely requested him to sigr
his name.
My friend continued, with tears IL
his eyes, TO report that the influence o
the demon was 50 completely overpow
ering. that he lnvoluniar,ly received
the offered parchment and pen, and h,