The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-11-02

| n N'oielts strOke OF thunder cut short his
words a blae flash illuminated his gar.
ret, and spread sulphurous odor about
the room. Wilhem, terrified, seized with
unspeakable emotion, prey to a strange
hailucination, pale, with eyes staring and
hair bristling, leaned against his chair and
exclaimed-"Help, Satan, helpw
Scarcely had he pronounced these words
when he heard rapping at the door.
"Who is that 2" cried he.
"Open, it is l." :epl;;ed a sharp, harsh
ice.
WHO are you 7"
"He whom you have named"
Aghast, incapable of pronouncinp y
word, the young man fell, almost faintinp
upon the chair.
"O3pen," continued the voice, or will
break in the door,"
WIlhem did not stir. The door opened
as 1t by magic, and in passed little old
man, dressed in black, whose ewes shone
as diamonds. The lamp emitted but a
feeble light.
"i ou are not very polite,' said the un-
known. This is not the time to keen the
devil waiting. You called to me, / came
at your first summons. mounted YOUR
SIX pair Of stairs, and yet you let me wait
ut your door. ! believed the German stu
dents more civil this was an illusion, and
there seems to be other aIusions but we
will see ; seat, and then we will talk. -
The little old man turned about to take
chair, but there was none in the parret.
"What, not chair 7" said he. "You
possess but this old fauieuil! Never
mind, we will yet find means to arrange
ourselves" and he seated himself on one
Of its arms. ...
Now, that you hare called me, what
do you want of me-"
Nothing, nothing, replied Wihem, in
a stihcd voice.
Nothing l-ah now. So tits by ac.
cldent you called met But no-vou are
atraid-and ], who believed the German
students OF undoubted courage Yet an
other Illusion TO correct. To procacd, co.,
lect yourself little, and answer inc.
Mot a word, this is too much. | will
speak in your place. You have called me
because Frantz and Mira have deceived
you. You would revenge yourself-that
is natural. Moreover, you wish to be hap
py during some years, and for all this,you
will give me your soul. The bargain is.
perhaps, not to my advantage, but | am
a good devil, and accept; so the bargain
is closed. do not ask for your signature
between men ofhonor, such as YOU and
myself it is unnecessary besides, for bet.
ter security, | will not leave YOU. have
assumed this evening, the form, features
and dress of old Doctor Cornelius, one of
my good friends, and under this dsguise,
wish to become your companion and men
tor"
Supplied with fear, Wilhelm looked in.
tently at the doctor, who was walking the
room AS fast as his little legs permitted
him. Suddenly he stopped.
"You know" said he, that it is very.
cold here You German students have
got used to it, perhaps. /, who am ac-
customed to good fire, am not very com.
Portable happily havo with me cord:-
al which will warm me, and likewise re-
animate you, who look as one about to
faint" .........,
With these words he drew from his
pocket a small vial, from which he halt
filled 6 lass, and presenting il to the STU
dent, said drink !"
Will'em tried to resist but the little old
man fixing on him his piercing black eyes,
the fascination Of his look rendered resist
ance vain. Scarcely ha the student
drank,when lie felt general torpor creep
ing over all his limbs. His eyes closed,
and his head fell heavily on his chest in
few minutes he was entirely lost in
sleep.