The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-07-23
How Peter LepIet Went to the Devil.

For so long a time L have been
troubled with inquiries concerning the
fate Of Peter Leplet that l take this
method Of answering all questions.
Though series of circumstances not
wholly unconnected with Spiritualism,
| have become acquainted with the de-
tails Of the said affair, and to relieve
anxious friends will make them public.
As may be remembered, this lumi-
nous ornament Of that portion of our
society which is devoted to speculative
investigation disappeared suddenly in
September last. He had been seen by
the clearinghouse keeper to enter his
room about eleven o'clock at night.
The next day he was nowhere to be
found. His door was locked on the in
side and the windows latched. Evil
IDENTIFY here was a mystery, and that
mystery has hitherto remained un-
solved. No clue to his whereabouts
has been discovered. ] alone know the
facts, for facts they undoubtedly are,
and now give them to the world. They
may perhaps be found useful in MOTH
ing else than warning.
Peter, then, on that evening when he
vanished from this sphere, had been at
tending meeting Of celebrated club.
of which he was prominent member.
The question was 1.-The Personality of
the Devil" On this Peter argued at
length in support of the theory that the
devil is only vague abstraction, grad
ually becoming fainter every day. He
brought to his aid large store of
knowledge, and returned home with the
proud consciousness that he had proven
his point.
Locking the door Of his sitting room,
he turned ON the gas, and then for the
first time perceived that he was not
alone. Sitting in his favorite easy
chair, smoking fragrant cigar, was a
dark accomplishment gentleman dressed in
black. with white cravat. 1t might
have been a mere fancy, but Peter
thought warm atmosphere radiated
from him as from furnace.
"Hullo!" said Leplet, who are you!''
The stranger arose and bowed polite
lv. sayin with bland swile and sin
gularly soft voice, Il have the honor tt
be the gentleman whom you have just
shown to be non-existent.
THE devil you are!'' exclaimed
Peter.
Exactly replied his Satanic Maj
esty, bowling again and resuming hi
seat.
Peter was entirely devoid of fear, 81
he likewise lit cigar and took chat
on the other side of the centre-table
looking very incredulous.
Il can see you do not believe mel
"Not Bit was the cool response
Il am probably fast asleep at this me
ment, and you are the result of tina
Stilton cheese l had after dinner. as
sisted by my speech tonight. No. mos
} decidedly. l do not believe in you
f The gentleman in black frowne
slightly and then leaned back in hi
chair. the smile on his thin lips GROWN
broader as Peter continued speaking.
Il know all about you-you are
humbug. You are nothing but soap
goat for the theologians who were dri,
en- to adopt you from savages as a
easy explanation of their hypothesis
You are the X of their equation. Why
even your figure is fraud, you are tn
only the old Roman Pan blackened owe
and furnished with a pitch-fork. Pooh
you can't scare me"
The Devil laughed condescendingly.
Ny dear boy, do not allow yourse
to become excited. Certainly. used
wear that absurd costume you mention
: but other times, other manners 70
e know. l dropped the medieval bus
: ness long while ago; the character ha
very good run, but finally lost all i
potency. At present am a gentl
man, and am thinking of giving cour'
I of lectures on the Failure Of Chri
4 tianity.''' Here he chuckled for
q few moments.