The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-01-23

A three tined fork, and its prongs tho dull,
Through the ~"rk.,s were thrust Of grin.
ming ak all:
Like scspter he waved il t. and fro.
A softly he chucklcd, I'll !. ha-ho, bo,r
And all the while were his eyes thn, burned
Like sulPhniou. flames, on the grog. seller
turned.
And how did he feel brncath that look!
| Why his jaw fell down NJ he .hivcrrd and
shook.
And qni, cred and Quacked in every limb,
| A. All agus fit had hold On him.
And his eyes to the monster grim were
glued.
And his tongue was a. stiff ~ billet Of
wood.
Bu' the fen, laughed on: "IIo, ho-hc, he.
And he switched his tail in his quiet yl.-.
"Whr. what d" you fear. ny fricn,i'' he ..id,
And nodded the horns "f hi- grizzly head:
"iou're an ally Of mine, and I love you
well!
IN n very warm country that men call hell,
! hold my court, and am proud ~ say,
] have not fai'hfullsr 6eni :r pay
Than you. dear cir, for work ~ ~~is
Msyhsp You don't know ms-rm called the
devil"
Like gnlvnni.cd corpse 40 pale md so wan,
Up-t"rted. in.tant.r, that horror struck r,sn:
And he turned up the whites Of his google
Eyes.
With a look half terror and half surpri.e.
And tongue was loosed, but his words were
few;
"Thc devil! yo~ don'L' "Yea, faith, ! do
Interrupted old nj Il; .nsd here's the proofs,
just twig my tail. and my horns, and my
hoofs!
"HHang c"me from warmer climcs below
To chat wish n friend for IN hour or 81.
AID y night being somewhat chill, think
You might ask IN old fellow TO tax. =
drink!
Now let !, be strong. the cirnr pnre stuff,
Swce;cnrd with birthstone n quart il en-.
ough;
Stir np the Mess in an iron cup.
And heat by the fire I'LL !, bubbles up"'
AZ th" devil bade, So the gr"g., seller did,
Filling Hagrcn ith ri" to- th. lii;
And when !; had boiled and bubbied DER.
The fiery drnught to his guest he bore,
Nick in n jify the liquor did quafr.
Aud thanked his host with guitcral laugh;
But faint and few yerc the smiles ! wean,
That on the grog.scller's face were sern.
For mortal fear waa on him then,
And he deemed that the ways of living men
tie could tread no more: that hi. hour had
Gene,
And his master too. to call him home.
Thought went back to the dsrkrh-d past.
And shricks were heard an the ~int,y blast.
Aud gliding before him pale and dim.
Were gibbcring fcnds and spccter. grim!
-iic, h"!" ssid Nick. 'ris welcome cold
Won give your friend So true and old,
Whoh's hcn for wears in yo"r own employ.
Running about like nm errand boy.
But we'll not fsli ont. for clearly see,
You are afraid Ctis strange) of me,
Do you shiak I've CON. for ou:-nevsr you
fear
You cant be spared long ~hiIs here!
"Thsre are heart. to break, there are souls
E:.sa HE @=.s Of peace, 4. ;as pain. of sin;
There are home TO be rendered de~ol.,e;
There trusting love ~ be- changed 10 hate;
There are hands ihHt murder must crimson
red: ~
There arr hopes to crush. there Is b,lgh, TO
Over the young, and the pure. and the fair.
TIN 'aei, live. are crushed by my friend.
Despair,
''IIold On !our c"arse. Yoa are filing mp.
With thr vine Of the wrath Of God, your
N"pt
And ihs 6suas rxalt in their homes below,
Asyos deepen the psngs cf human woe.
i<'ag viii Il Re. if have my way.
Ere the night of Death shsll close your
~ Day.
For to psnpes your Lust for tbs gli,te6ng
/! pcK ...-l.. q
You rival in mischief the Devil himself"
No more said the aesd, fov clear and high.
snns sss on che air The waiehnso's ery;
Whs ehoi hg sst. and halfformcd
! ssrexn. @ff
The sr"g.s~I'er waked. twas ba. dream.
Hi- xrissiIy gsess, AHA hi. horns, hsd
ncwH;
The 'anp w.s ous sd IN 6se wss gone,
Ard ssd and ,i'ru' hi. .s'sd he ssusAI :
\ AL t~~<x - - -~..~x----.