Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-11-14
The Devils Gift:
OR THE THREE BARS OF COLD
A LEGEND ERnM THE EpENCu

LEGEND FROM THE FRENCH
There once lived in Scotland three poor
black smiths. Their habitarion was situated in
the mountains which surrosnded the pretty
town OF Perth Though they labored inces-
sanity, they could barely obtain sufficiency of
the coarsest food and frequen, and sorrowful
were their prayers that God would send them
some lltlle portion Of the bounty which so many
ENJOY without merit or that their lives and
wrechedness nigh. end together. Labor and
prayers were alike fruilless misery alone
seemed their lot.
Desparing of fortune, they were one even
ing conversiDg
Since" said hey, "our prayers avail moth
ing, let Us turn TO The Evil One, he may hear US
with favor %
A. midnigh, at the BIackrock mountain |
will await you. Ii you have courage to meet
me there fortune is yours. Remember mid
night"
Speechless with terror the brothers sszed
upon each other The youngest al last broke
the silence:
my brothers. do You hear Shall we go! :"
We will obey" exclaimed the elder,
On the approach Of midnight, they bent their
steps towards the mountain. As they drew
near II, they heard The ringing of an anvil, but
saw neither light nor smoke. With terror they
advanced 10 discover whence the sound pro-
ceeded. They reached The end Of The palh.-
The noise Of a thousand hammers resounded
but on looking around they saw but q solitary
man a. work
4" / a~sied you," he said, I" and was forging
for you. This product OF my labor is yours
upon one condition If al the end of nine
years you do not retuIn it TO me, or The value
i! has produced you, you are mine both body
and soul, and all your possession shall vanish
from the earth whim sometimes impels
me 10 benefit morals endeavor to profit by
mine."
So saying he gave each mass Of iron and
dismissed them.
The brothers arrived al home, not much
pleased with the event of their journey, ques-
tioning whether the gifts promised much, and
mol doubling that they should return them at
The appointed time. They fell asleep. thinking
of their adventure, whose result, by no means
equalled their expectations
On awakening next morning. they were a.
bout TO commence their daily toll. having almost
forgotten The disappointment Of the proceeding
evening, when suddenly they perceived three
ingo,s of gold, which had replaced the masses
OF iron. Their joy was unbounded
In short time they resided in a magnificent
palace. Their retinue was regal in its splen
dor. Forgetting their promiss to The Evil One
to return the value of his gif, they passed their
time in enjoyment wi,hou. seeking 10 ascertain
It's worth.
The nine years rolled away in festivals, and
the most exIravagaut delights. The close Of
the term al length arrived. The demon; pune
tual 10 his appointed time, appeared at midnight
during splendid entertainment given at the
palace.
The hideous appari,ion. rising among the
guests addressed The brother:
'The last hour is about 10 strike. What
have YOU in return 10 me I"
They were dumb with terror.
An internal smile played upon the features
of the temper. He struck the ground--Ihe
palace disappeared. A horrid tumuls filed the
air as the ministers Of the demons vengence
swsp, away his victims.
Even now i, is said iha. the traveller as he
hurries over the site OF the palace hears three
voices in the air which cry; Traveller, beware,
forget not The fuIure."