Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-22


THE DEVIL AND Ton WALKER. Everybody
has heard, and great many make use OF the
EXPRESSION, The Devil and Tom Walker, and
vet We presume very few know who Tom W..
was. or what relation between him and the
Devil justihes this frequent association OF their
names. As the most authentic account CT who
Tom Walker wa, VT give the following inter
estug story by the best writer America has
ever produced Washington Irving:
A STORY OF THE LAST CENTURY.
Aston waxed old, however, he grew though
full. Having secured the good things OF this
world, he began to feel anxious about the next;
lie thought with regret on the bargain ne had
made with his black friend, and put his wits to
work to cheat him out of his conditions. lie
became, therefore, all of IL sudden, violent
church goer. He prayed loudly aud strenu-
ously. as if Heaven were to be carried by force
of lungs. Indeed, one might always tell when
he had sinned most during the week, 10y tile
clamor of his Sunday devotion The quiet
Christians who had been modestly and quietly
travelling Xionward were struck with reproach
at seeing themselves so suddenly outStrippcd
in their career by this newmade convert. Tom
was as rigid in religion As In money matters; he
was Il stern supervisor and censurer OF his
neiehbors and seemed to think every sin en-
tered up to their account became credit on
his page. He even talked Of the expediency
of reviving the persecution of the Quakers and
AnabaptistS.
Still, in spite Of his strenuous attention to
forms, Tom had lurking dread that the devil,
after all, would have his due. That he might
not be taken unawarcs, therefore, it is said ne
always carried Bible in his pocket. tie also
had great folio Bible in his counting house
desk, and would frequently be found reading
sions he would lay his green spectaceS on the
book to markc the place, while he turned around
to drive some usurlous bargain.
Some say Tom grew little crack Drained IN
his other days, and that, fancying his end ap
preaching, he had his horse newly shod, sad
died and curried with his feet uppermost: be-
cause that, at the last day, the world would be
turned upside down, in which case he would
find his horse ready for mounting, and he was
determined at worst to give his friend run for
it, This, however,is probably mere old wife 8
fable. If be really did take that precaution, it
was totally superhuous-at least so says the
authentic old legend, which closes his story in
the following manner
One hot afternoon in the dog days, just as
rible black thunder gust came up, Tom sat
at his counting house in his white linen cap
and Indian silk morning gown. tie was on
the point of foreclosing mortgage. by which
he would complete the ruin of an unhappy
speculator for whom he had expressed the
greatest friendship. The poor land jobber
begged him to grant few months indulgence.
Tom had grown testy and irritated and refused.
e. ha paH md hro1, h III pop
the parish, said the land jobber.
CHARITY begins at home, replied Tom Il
must take care of myself these hard times.
You have made SO much money out Of
me, )" said he Il have not made farthlng,
Just then there were three loud knocks at the
street door. He stepped out to see who was
there A black man with black horse,
which stamped and nei ehed with impatience
Tom, you are come for said the black fel-
low, gruhly. Tom shrunk back, but too late.
He had left his little Bible at the bottom Of
his coat pocket, and his big Bible on the desk,
burned under the mortgage he was about to
tOreclose-ne7er was poor sinner taken more
unaware The black man whiskcd him like a
child astried the horse, and away he galloped
in the midst of thunder storm.
Such was the end Of Tom Walker and his
gotten wealth.
The story has resolved itself into prorerb,
and is the origin ofthe popular saying preva
lent throughout New England, The Devil and
Tom Walker"
THE GENEVA ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL.--
This board, as it now stands is as follows:
Charles Francis Adams, the arbitrator appoint
ed by President Grant Chief Justice Cockburn
the arbitrator appointed by Queen Victoria;
General Menabrea, distinguished soldier and
statesman, of liberal IDEAS the arbitrator chosen
by King Victor Emmanuel, and Jacques
StaempAi, an cx-Presdent of tho Swiss Con
federation and all able advocate, named by the
government Of Switzerland. The Treaty of
Washington provides, further, that the Em-
pcror of Brazil shall also name an arbitrator,
and no doubt we shall shortly hear that the
board Of five arbitrators Is complete
The treaty (artlcle Ii. next provides that
the arbitrators shall meet ut Geneva, in
Switzerland at the earliest conyenentday alter
they shall have been named, and shall proceed
mpartially and carefully to examine and decide
all questions that shall be laid before them on
the part of the government Of the Y. 5. and
Her Britannia Majesty respectively and that
AL questions considered by the tribunal, iu-
Guiding the final award, shall be decided by a
majority of all the arbitrators and that each Of
the high contracting parties shall also name one
person to oattend the tribunal as its agent repre-
sentit generally in all matters connected with the
arbitration Counsel before the tribunal on
both sides is also authorized and while Gen.
Grant has intimated that Mr. Adams shall be
fortified by some Of the best lawyers in the
country, we may be sure that Eng land will not
neglect to give the best legal assistants Of the
realm to Chief Justice Cockburn.
Thus the arbitration board with its two
agents its lawyers on both sides, and its clerks,
&c, will be somewhat imposing body and
two the tribunal will be windfal to the city
ofGeneva both in financial and political view;
and We are glad it, because ofour sympsathies
and respect for the faithful little republican
Swiss Confederation, aud because the selection
ofGeneva for the sittings Of this important
tribunal is not only great compliment to
Switzland, but a hattering concession to the
United States on the part of Her Majesty
members of the Joint High Commission aud