The Nevada Democrat., 1859-11-30
The Everlasting TaDer,

Previous to the first Revolution in France, in
the ancient town Of Amiens, among other mar
vels and curiosities, the stranger was certain OF
being edited with sight Of the Holy Candle or
Everlasting Taper-which had burned for two
centuries in a dim niche of the moss grown
church, unwasting as the brillianee Of a star,
shedding forever the same pale light upon the
antique and fretted ceiling, and on the half ru
ined but still gorgeous altar, whence thousand
masses had gone up for the quiet sleeping Of
those "whose places shall know them no more
forever"
The stranger, while minging with the crowd
who, on certain days, were allowed to witness
this miraculous taper, might easily learn the
story of its origin. From the corpulent monk,
to the lean and meagre artizan, all know IL by
heart. 1t is an odd narration, aud would figure
well In an improved edition OF Fausts Mephis-
tophiles,
Two or three centuries ago, there lived in the
town carpenter named Christopher-a hard
working bet poverty-stricken mechanic. Find
ing bis utmost exertions inadequate to the sup
port of himself and family, ho resolved-and
there was a good deal of worldly wisdom in his
resoution--to better his fortune In this life,
even IL, by 80 doing, he might incur the risk Of
faring somewhat worse in the next. Christie
pher, who was punctual attendant at church,
had often head his pastor expatlate upon the
exceeding power of the Arch Enemy OF Man,
aud upon his willingness and ability TO reward
with temporal riches those who yielded up to
him the small matter of o mortgage on their
souls Christopher had toiled himself to skel
eton-starvaton stared him in the face--and,
worse than ALL o new quality had begun to de-
velop Itself in his character in the shape OF eX
treme laziness. He therefore, upon mature de-
liberation, concluded to open sort of barter
trade with ihe Enemy, and for the peace of his
body, hazard that of his soul. lie accordingly
prayed Justify for the presence OF that being,
from whose neighborhood all good Catholics aud
devout ask dellyerance. The Devil, whether
engaged in other aud more profitable specua-
tlons, or from pres5ntiment Of i'll luck, did
not readily answer the diabolical petitions of
the carpenter-but, tired at last with the con-
tinued opportunities of Christopher, he one eve
ming made his appearance in the shape OF q re-
spectacle looking monkey.
what woud'st thou with me p said the hairy
demon 'thou hast been long calling Speak,
In what can l serve thee 2
my Lord = said Christopher, bowlng humbly,
Il am told that your Lordshp dispOses wealth
at pleasure, and should be very greatly oblig-
ed to YOU for small share of your favors'
But what wilt thou give mer interrupted
the Devil.
ALAS, my Lord, said Christopher, laying his
hand on his heart, Il am miserably poor
There was pathos in the manner and tones
of Christopher which seemed to reach even the
inexorable heart of Lucifer. We'll, well,' said
he, there's no need of dependency. I'll give
thee as much gold as thou desirest, for thirty
years-but, after that time having occasion for
q carpenter to make some trifng repairs in my
internal palace, shall come and conduct thee
thither
There was so much apparent candor and
frankness in this proposition, that Christopher,
without hesitation, signed the contract and the
Internal bargainer made spring up the chin
ney and vanished. Christopher wished for o
thousand pistoles, aud the sum was the next in
slant In his pocket He continued his Wishes
and they were oil gratifed. Never was devil
more punctual In short Christopher began to
to believe the sooty dignitary had been most
maliciously helled and slandered, Itabsolutely
panied his heart 10 hear him abused--and he
even quarreled with mis- good friend the Abbot
for handling his Satanic Generalship without
gloves in one Of his sermons.
One night--the fifteenth anniversary of his
Satanic bvrgain-the now wealthy and highly
respected Christopher was sitting in company
with large number of friends enjoying So
eial chat amidst the clatter of glasses and the
pouring Of wine. CHANGING to send his servant
for particular and rare wine in his cellar, he
was not q little surprised at the fellows return
biAck man sat upon the cask desiring to speak
with the master of the house. The nerves of
Christopher shook for moment-tor he thought
of his Internal customer--but resolving to pre-
pare for the worst and knowing that but half
his lease had expired, he took the bond in his
hand, and boldly sailed down stairs.
1t was the devil, sure enough. There he sat
sullenly on the wine cask-
"a towsy tyke, black, grim and large"
TTo ce,1h 10 hoad dau hrfot AtNha anf aHa1
and scowlsd on him through his shaggy eye
brows like the glare Of comet through thun-
der cloud.
4 am come for you,' he said.
Christopher held out his bond and laughed.
The Devil mocked him.
you are mistaken-'tis but fifteen years as
yet-the lease is but half OUT
Again the Devil laughed, and most Internal
caechnation he made of it. You are msta-
ken,' he returned, fifteen years Of days, and
fifteen years of nights make thirty years. ac- |
Csrding to my arithmetic. Soprepare yourself.
It was in vain that Christopher demonstrated
the Devil was inexorable. One request only
the "all pitiless demon" granted. His victim
was allowed brief half hour to bid his friends
farewell. With heavy heart Christopher as
cended, and told his friends Of his misfortune.
All were for q moment struck dumb with grief
not for the loss of Christopher, but for the
loss of his excellsut wine. and deliccte viandS.
A plethoric little friar at length advised Chris
topher to return to the demon, and ask permis-
sion to live while the taper he held in his hand
continued to burn. A drowning man will catch
at strsws, and Christopher obeyed The dewon J