Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-03-26
E EVENING STAR.
+ h Z BoTTL MP,
lPRoM TEE eRRNAN.l

man merchant named Richard, a bold ant
Joyous fellow. There was much disouiet iy
Germany at that time, owing to the Thirt,
Years War; for which reason the young mer
chant was especially glad that his bushes.
called him to stay some time In Venice. vher,
people were not so warlike, and where as br
heard, he should end rich wines, the best and
most delicious fruits, to say nothing of MANY
most beautiful women, Of whom he was a de.
cided amateur. a.-
Accordingly, he soon began to lead a very
gay life, and was introduced into all sorts Of
society. Many day passed in revelry and
riot, where all faces were wild aud Joyous
ono only excepted-that of Spanish cap.
tain-who, although he attended at all the
pranks of the wild crew with whom Richard
had associated himself, never exchanged a
Wcrd with bis companions and constantly
wore an expression Of strong disquiet on his
dark features. The rest willingly suffered
his presence, because he was a man of good
means and station, who made no scrupie on
several occasions of paying for the whole
party. t..-
But in spite of his gaiety, money began ere
long to fail poor Richard and he sorrowfuIly
found that life so extrsvagantly delightful
must soon como to an end for lin. The others
| observed his melancholy and its cause, and
had their jest at the well feeced hangdos
looking wretch who could not refrain, 60 Ion 2
as shekel remained in his purse, from suck
| ing tho poisonous sweets
| One evening the Spsniard drew him aside
and with unusual frisndliness took him to az
unfrequented part of the city. The young
man vas at first alarmed by this proceeding
\ But he thought "the fellow knows tha there
IS not much to be got from me and as for my
skin, If he covets that, he must first adventure
his Own, which, doubtless, he thinks rather
too high a stake"
But the Spanish captain seated himself on
| the wall of an old ruined building, made the
young merchant sit by himi aud began as fol-
| lows "1t appears to me, Lay young friend
| as II ycu were wanting In that faculty, which
has become to me a burden past bearing that
is, the power Of procuring at any hour the
amount OF money you require, and so being
| able to 60 on with your pleasure. This, and
many other important gifts, I will hand over
to you for reasonable sum-"
But what can you want with money, when
it ?" asked Richard.
"Why the circumstances are these : 1 don't
know whether you are acquainted with cer-
| tain little creatures called bottle imps They
are little black fends, shut up in glasses
Whoever possesses such a one may obtain
from him whatever pleasures in life he desires,
| but especially unlimited gold On the other
hand, this accommodating friend requires the
soul of his possessor, provided the owner dies
without having delivered over his imp into
other hands But this can be done only by
sale; and moreover, ho must receive for it a
less sum than be paid. Mine cost me ten
ducats; if you will give me nine for it 'tis
yours"
While Richard thought over this, the Spsn.
lard continued: al could, of course, cheat
anybody into purchasing it like any otter
bottle and toy, just as it was put into my own
hands by a tradesman without a conscience
But should fear to burden my conscience still
more by SO doing, and therefore put the Offer
fairly and frankly before you. You are yet
young and full of life, and will have mapy an
opportunity Of getting lid of the thing When
you are tired of it 70
"Good sir" said Richard, edo not think
me uncivil; but l must own have been
little cheated already in this town of Venice,
ard even my nine ducats nigh not be Of value
to one who spends as L havo seen you do"
"Excuse me for rot striking You dead" said
the Spaniard haughtily at Is because hope
you will still rid me of my bottle-imp, ard also
because 1 am not minded to do penance, which
would thereby be much increased in length
and severity"
Would you let me make q few trials Of
the thing fIst?" prudently askedyOung Rich
ard
ITO what purpose ~ replied the Spanisrd
1t stays with 70 one, helps no one but him
who has fairly purchased it -
Tho youth grew anxious il was uncomfort.
able sitting there together at night in that
lonely place, in spite Of the captains de-
clared pacific intention; and then there how
cred before his fancy all the delights which
the bottle-imp would pressure him: He there
fore determined to risk the half his remaining
cash on it, only trying first whether he cOu.d
beat down something of the price.
"Fool - laughed the captain Z" il was for
your good asked The highest price, and for
tho good of those who bay it after you, that
some one may not too SOON get it for the lowest
possible sum, and go go irrecoverably to a
place it would be unpOite to MENTION"
Never mind" said Richard good humor.
edIy 81 shan't be in a hurry to sell the
wonderful thing again. If could have it for
five ducats-
"Oh, as you please, said the Spaniard.
Then, in return for the money, he h.ndcd
to the young mun a thin glass bottle, wherein
by the starlight Richard saw something dane
ing up and down. As trial, be Immediately
wished to have in his right hand double the
sum he had just paid, and instantly felt ten
ducats there Then both went back TO the inn
with new and cheerful faces; the Spaniard
soon took leave, without staying for the gor-
geous banquet which Richard Immediately
ordered, paying down to his distrustful host
the price beforehand while the bottle imp
kept filling his pockets with tho desired duo
ats.
Whoever would themselves like to posses
such an imp, can best fancy what sort of life
our young friend led from this day. lie bought
| a castle and two villas, and surrounded him
self with every kind of splendor and luxury.
He spent some time in revelry at one of his
country seats, with crowd of idle and .t dissi,
was a gsy and distinguished beauty of the
place called Lucretia. One day he was sitting
with her in the garden. on the brink of swift
deep streanlet, laughing and Je:ting till at
last Lueretia espied the bottle which Richard
wore in his vest by gold chain. Before he
could hinder her, she had pulled away the
chain, and play fully held the phial up against
the light. At first she laughed at the strange
capers of the black creature within, then cry
ing suddenly in alright: 'fUugh, it's toad 20
| flung chain, phial, and imp into the stream,
| which swept out of sight.
The poor young man strsve to hide his con-
| cern, lest Lucretia should question him furth-
| er, and have him taken up for sorcery But IS
soon rs he could get away from her, he retir-
cd to think what was to be done. He had yet
his castle, his villas, and heap of ducats in