Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-05-03
Number ed

awful manner.
The large devil glared hercely around
him upon emerging from the hole, and
when bis eye rested upon the miser (who
fairly quaked in his shoes. and whose
wits we're in state bordering upon insan-
ity) he uttered a savage cry of joy and
triumph, aud advanced, in two tremeh-
dous strides, to where he s,ood-the little
imps following in great haste and confusion
There was a smell Of birthstone about the
the fellow that was very suspicious, aud
contributed in no way to allay the old mas
perturbation.
"Hallo" said he, ogling the miser
with his head on one side, "Hallo YOu'vs
come at last, have you?"
The old man, scarcely knowing what he
said he was so terrified, uttered feeble
Yes"
"Well I'm glad to see you. have
no doubt but what you've served me we'll:
! You look like it. What's your tatne ~
demanded the devil
"Himslow, !" the old man just managed
, to articulatc.
D "Himslow," repeated he of the eloven
: hoof. "Well, that's dev-ihats an ap.
: propriate name. You have been slow,
y that's a fact. You might have come
sooner, l should have thought. remem.
y Der you now perfectly well. always
/, loved you, my dear fellow, as father
: might his son." he continued, patting him
a atfectionately upon the shoulder, and
Y grinning. Lets see. when did our con-
J. tract begin? Here, you," he added, turn
s ing to the imps, "get Himslow's deed i'm
n mediately, or will reast you in eternal
a torments on the end of my pitchfork-I
will"
- The whole crowd of imps at once rushed
. with precipitous haste to one of the skel-
etons, and took from his mouth a small,
\. closely written document, which they
a brought, quarrclling and scrabbling to
,s their matter, and placed in his hands,,
- He scanned it closely for a moment, and
y then read aloud as follows:
Il "Know all men by these presents that
. |, Sylvester Himslow, for and in consid-
: GRAFTON of the sum of fifty thousand dollars
u in gold, to me In hand paid, the receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged, do grant
At bargain assign sell, set over and convey,
=, unto the devil, Satan, or Lucifer, to be
" owned and used by him, or his assigns,
forever, all my right, title and interest ini
e. my own soul. In witness whereof, | herc.
lie unto set my hand and seal, this Sd day of
10 December, in the year of other peoples
Lord, 1884. SYLVESTER HIMsLow.
. Signed, sealed and delivered in pres
' ence of MAMMoN.
The unhappy mser saw, with fear and
=, trembling that there was no loophole in
- this document through which he could es-
cape; it was perfect in itself, and bore the
= impress of a masters legal hand--a law
- yers, without doubt.
y "Our contract was entered into long
- time ago." said the cloven hoof, with
u most lnsinuating smile. This is your
signature, isn't it?"
= The old man was obliged, though with
- great reluctance, to acknowledge that the
- autograph attached to the document was
n' undoubtedly his own.
Every well then," said the devil cheer
fully wagging his tail, as he CAREFUL fold
he ed the paper and gave it to one of the lit
v tie imps to be placed back in the skull,
I'd "we1l proceed to business. First. I sup
ID pose you have served me faithfully ever
I'd since the date of the assignment"
ar The miser, thinking to propitiate him,
as said, eagerly:
ii "Yes, and before, too," which was
&c quite true.
as "And you haven't given away of the
ly gold Or anything else, to poor people,
SC orphans, widows, charitable institutions,
at or the like, have you ?" said the devil,
y regarding him closely.
The old man actuated by the same mo-
IN tive as before said:
ut "No.'
III "You have been tempted sometimes, l
r. suppose" continued he of the darted tail,
re 'but jueging from your coutenance, |
Oh presume you have never been benevolent,
4; but have always been tight, mean, close,
NJ stingy, avarcious, grabbed, cheat EN-
G, and-gouge-' -'em-when-you-can old miser,
vo have you?"
IS, EYES, yes !" said the old man eagerly.
n "Why, then," said the other, placing
of both claws upon his shoulders, and favor-
e. ing him with smile Of ineffable sweet
IN ness, 'you are, as [ said before, my
u special favoritc, and | owe you debt Of
y gratitude that can never repay Come,
6, and get warm
" mo, no." cried the old man, drawing
IS, hastily back. I'll thank you, hut--bpt
T