The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-04-06
h DEVIL AND rom WALKER.
d slorr Or lhe la.l centary.
pY wAsaIyeroN IRyrNe.

anxious about tho next. He thought
With regret of the bargain he bad made
with bis Black friend, and put his wits
to work to cheat him OUT Of his condi-
tious. Ho became, therefore, all Of a
sudden violent church-gocr. Lie prayed
loudly and strenously, as If heaven were
TO be carried by force Of the lungs. In
deed one might always tell when he bad
sinned most during the week, by the
clamor Of bis Sunday devotion! The quiet
Christians who have been modestly and
quietly travelling Zionward were struck
with sclf-reproach at seeing themselves
so suddenly outstriPped in their career
by this new made convert. Tom was as
rigid in religion as in money matters; ho
was stern supervisor and censurer Of
his neighbors, and seemed to think every
sin entered upon their account became q
scredit on bis page. Hceyeu talked of the
expedieucy Of reviving the prosecution of
the Quakersand Apnubuptists Ina word,
Toms zeal became as his riches.
Still in spite Of his strenuous atten-
ton to forms. Tom bad lurking dread
that the devil after all would have his
due. That be might not be taken una
wares, therefore, it is said he always
carried a small Biblein bis pocket. He
also had great folio Bible 10 bis count
,iug-house desk, and would frequently be
found reading when people called on bus.
iuess;, on such occasions he would lay his
sgreeu spectacles on the book to mark the
place, while he turned around to drive
some iusurious bargain.
Some say Tom grew a little crack brain
ed in his older.days, and that fancyiug
his cod, he had his horse newly shod, sad
died and bridled and buried feet upper
most, because that at the last day, The
world would be turned upside down, in
which cose he would find his horse ready
for mountiug, and as he wus determined
at the worst to give bis friend run for it.
If he really did take precaution, it was to-
tally superauous-at least, so says the
authentic old legend. which closes his sto-
Arg in the follnwino manner. -E-
One hot afternoon in the dog days,
just as terrible black thunder gust
came up Tom sat in his counting house in
hisWhite linin cap and India silk morning
gown. He was on the point of forcclosiug
aa mortgage by which be would complete
the ruin of an unhappy speculator for whom
he had professed the greatest friendship.
The poor land jobber begged him to grant
a months Indulgence Tom bad grown
testy aud irritated, and refused another
day.
My family will be ruised and brought
upon the parish" said the land jobbcr.
Charity begings at home," replied
Tom; II must take care Of myself these
bard times"
"You have made SO much money out
roF me-" said the speculatoe.
Tom lost his patience and piety-"The
devil takem if have made farthing,"
said be.
Just then there was three loud knocks
at the street door. He stepped out to see
who was there. A black man with black
horse, which ncighedund stamped with
Impotence.
tom you are come for" said the black
fellow grufiy. Tom shruuk back but too
late. he had left his little Bible at the
sbottom Of bis coat pocket, and his Bible
-on the desk buried under tho mortgage be
was about to foreclose-nevcr was poor
sinner taken more unawares. The black
&mGn whisked him like a child astride
the horse, and away be galloped in the
midst of the thunder storm. The clerk,
stuck their pens behind their ears and
stared after him from the windows. Away
went Tom Walker dashiug down The
streets, his white cap boiling up and down
his morning gown auttering in the wind, aud
bis steed striking FIRE at every bound
When the clerks turned to look, the blacl
man had Disappeared
Tom Walker never returned to fore
close the mortgage. A couutrymau, who
lived near the swamps, reported that IL
the height of the thunder gust he had heard
q greatelsttering of the hoofs, aud howl