Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-04-21
The Demon Of the Cup.

! had Oceu reading an oriental laic OF the
fanciful order Il was q story of the gcni.
and had been deeply interested iu It, |
was very comfortably situated 10 my room,
and ON the table was glass containing the
remains of a sherry cohblcr ! had inhibited
1t never occurred 10 me that these same
sherry cobblers were dangcrou, companions
for Young man, and was in the habit of
taking from three 10 q dozen OF them per- dism
three when was going to see Lucy Shell
don, particular friend of mine. aud dozen
on the off days
turned the leaves Of the magazine but
| could find DO other story that looked inyit-
ing; 50 threw it down, and sunk back In
the rocking chair Things had begun TO
look rather dim, and my own consciousness
very indistnct, when my attention was
attracted 10y a strange connection In the
glass from which had partly consumed my
cobbler.
glanced at it, and presently a long wreath
Of smoke or vapor rose from the glass, and
stretched itself over toward the further cor
ner Of the room just exactly as the clouds
had preceded the appearance of the genii in
the story had been reading.
The vapor slowly, and apparently with
malice aforethought, began to assume a tan
gble shape, finally resolving itself into the
form Of as ugly a looking demon as had
ever read about. lie was monstrous in size,
would probably have been twenty feet high,
if the room had been lofty enough,
"Who are you 2" inquired, di,pleasel
with my visitor.
q" am the demon Of the cup" he replied,
in a laundering voice.
IL haven't the pleasure Of your acquaint-
mce." continued.
"Ycs, you have. You are one of my best
friends"
d" | believe we never met before
"a dozen times a day.
"Then you do not look rs ugly as you do
now. if you will excuse my boldness.'
"No Wear pleasant face when make
the acquaintance of young gentlemen; but
thought it was about time we should be
better acquainted. You don't know me yet.
We will have social time il you like.
No." thank you cannot say that am
much pleased with your society
At any rate will introduce You to some
Of my friends" he continued, as he waved
his hand over the cup.
Instantly another cloud Of smoke pro
ceeded from the cup, which presently AS
sumed the form Of decTepit, ragged, filthy
old man. OF all that / had ever seen OF
wretchedness, squalor and misery the figure
before me was the most fitting representa-
tive, only the degree of Wrstchelness seemed
hundred fold intensified.
"Who are you 2" demanded, as the old
man moved toward me.
My name is Poverty
&" / should think it might be. What do
you want here 2"
IL Just dropped in to be introduced to
you, for you and are likely to be friends"
"lndeed, old fellow, You are reckoning too
fast. keep only respectable company
just now you do, but You viii change
your habits by-and-hye,"
Don't be too familiar, if you please" |
suggested, as the old chap drew a chair TO
my side and seated himself.
We are bound TO be friends, young man.
Did you ever read Emersons works 2"
"Of course have"
Well, sir, am respectable man."
" You had better take yourself off, or
shall be under the necessity of kicking you
down stairs
O. do not mind that, for am used to it,"
" BE civil to him." interposed the demon,
" he is one Of us and a good fellow in his
way. lie often brings men to their senses
when nothing else will. But you have
another friend" and again he waved his
hand over the cup.
Again the vaIor rose from the glass, and
another form, more hldeOus than either of the
Others, appeared before me. ! was alarmed
at first 10y his savage expression and glazing
eyes.
"Who are your" inquired, shrinking
back from the loathsome monster.
My name is Crime
"Then you have been well named"
81 have work for you to do"
am too much engaged to assist You" !
replied.
"Come, come, don't be stiff about it.
suppose you are not quite ready to help me
yet, but | can bide my time, for | have a
mortgage on you which in due season you
must pay up
How do You like my friends z" asked
the demon.
don't like them"
NO 2"
" The old fellow is an ineonYenient com
panion and don't like the morals OF the
other chap. Ills notions of mine and thine
are too indefinite to suit my ideas"
Indeed; you seem so much inclined to
make their acquaintance ! supposed you
were anxious to number them among your
friends"
"Certainly, they belong In cupi but
there IS more yet, you must know"
As he spoke that smoke internal, curied
up and resolved INTO the form OF a woman.
She was pale, haggard and almost skele-
ton. She was clothed m rags, and was
perfect picture of wretehedness and despair
There was nothing really hideous in her as
peot except the marks OF poverty and want
winch she bore. She turned and liked glance
OF reproach upon me-a g lance which thrilled
me to the soul | pltied the poor wretch,
and turned away
looked again, those features were famil-
lar to me. | was shocked, Mortified, as !
recognized Lucy Sheldon in the dreadful
Inquire before me.