East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1859-09-08
The Devil and Tom walker
Story Of the last Century.
Dv WASHINGTON IRVING.

As Tom waxed old, however, he grew
Having secured the good
things of this world, he began to feel
anxious about the next. He thought with
regret on the bargain he had made with
his black friend, and put his wits to work
to cheat him out Of his condition. He
became therefore, all of sudden vio-
lent church-gocr. He prayed loudly and
strenuously, as if heaven were to be car
ried by force of lungs. Indeed, one might
always tell when he sined most during
the week by the clamor Of his Sunday
devotion. The quiet Christians who had
been modestly and quietly travelling Ii
onward were struck with self-reproach
at seeing themselves so suddenly out
stripped in their career by this new made
convert. Tom was as rigid in religion
as in money matters. He was a stern
supervisor and censurer of his neighbors,
and seemed to think every sin entered up
to their account became credit to his
page lie even talked of the expediencey
of reviving the persecution of the Qauk-
ers and Anabaptists. In a word, Toms
zeal became as his riches.
Still, in spite of his strenuous atten
tion to forms, Tom had lurking dread
that the devil after. all would have his
due. That he might not be taken una.
wares, therefore, it is said he always car.
ried a small Bible in his pocket. He al
so had great folio Bible in his count
ing-housc desk, and would be frequently
found reading when people called on bus
mess; on such occasions he would lay his
green spectacles on the book to mark
the place, while he turned around to drive
some usurous bargain. ....,...-..
Some say Tom grew little cracked
Drained in his older days, and that, fan
cying his end was approaching, he hac
his horse newly shod, saddled and bridlec
and buried his feet uppermost, because
that, at the last day, the world would b'
turned upside down, in which case h'
would find his horse ready for mounting
and he was determined at the worst t
give his friend run for it, This, how
ever, is probably mere old wifc's fable
If he really did take that precaution, j
was totally supcrfluous-at least, so say
the authentic old legend which closes hi
story in the following manner: 81
One hot afternoon in the dog-days
just as terrible thunder-gust came up
Tom sat in his counting house in hi
white linen cap and India silk mornin.
gown. He was on the point Of forcclos
ing mortgage, by which he would com
plete the rain of an unhappy speculate
for whom he had professed the creates
friendship. The poor landJobber beg
ged him to grant few mohfhs indulg
oncc. Tom had grown testy and irritate
ed, and refused another day.
"My family will be ruined and bro
upon the parish" said the land,jobber
"Charity begins at home, replied Tom
al must take care of myself these har'
times sf rHitr3
"You have made SO much money on
of me, y said the spcculator. ~
Tom lost his patience and piety, "th
devil take me" said he, ''if / have mad
a farthing." a5a m gn
just then there were three loud knock
at the street door. He stepped out :
see who was there. A black man with
black horse, which neighed and stamp
with impatience.i
"Tom, you are come for said tn
black fellow, grutfly. Tom shrunk bach
4 bat too late. He had left his Bible at tn
bottom of his coat pocket, and his BIZ
Bible on the desk, buried under the mor'
gage he was about to forcclosc--ncve
was poor sinner taken more unaware'
The black man whisked him like chill
astrde of the horse, and away he gallor
ed in the midst of a thunderstorm. Th
lclcrks stuck their pens behind their car