The daily gazette., 1875-05-27
The Demon Ofthe Cup
BY OLIVER OPTIC.

was glass containing the remains OF
a sherry cobbler had just imbibed.
1t never occurred to me that these
same sherry cobblcts were dangerous
companions fer young man, and l
was in the habit of taking from three
to dozen Of them per diem-three
when | was going to see Lucy Sheldon,
friend of mine, and dozen ON the of
days.
Iturned the ieaycs Of the magazine,
but l could find no other story that
looked inviting so I threw it down
and sank back in my rocking chair.
Things had began to look rather dim
and my consciousness very indistinct
when my attention was attracted by
a strange commotion In tho glass from
which had partly consumed my sherry
cobbler.
glanced ct 1t, and presently q long
wreath of smoke or vapor rose from
the cup and stretched itself toward the
farther corner of the room, exactly as
the clouds had preceded the appear
ance of the genii In story l had been
reading.
The vapor slowly, and apparently
with aforethought. began to assume q
tangible shape, finally resolving itself
in the form OF as ugly looking de
mon as ever / had read about. He
was monstrous in size, would probably
have been 90 feet high, If the ceiling
had been high enough.
"Who In the deuce nre you?" l
inquired, not at all pleased with my Wis
itor,
81 am the demon of the cup" he re-
piled, in voice that seemed to shake
the whole house.
II haven't tho pleasure Of your ac-
quaintance," / continued.
Yes, you have, you are one of my
best friends"
II don't believe that we ever met be-
forel'
"a dozen times day"
"Then you don't look as ugly as
you DO now; you will excuse my bold
ness
"No, l wear Il pleasant face when
| make the acquaintance of a young
gentleman but then l think that it
is about time we should be better
acquainted. You don't squite know
me yet. We will have a social time if
you like"
. "No, / thank you; l can't say that
l am 90 much pleased with your So
ciety."
We'll, at any rate, l shall intro
duce you to a few of my friends" he
continued, as he waved his hand over
the cup.
Instantly another curling cloud of
smoke or vapor proceeded from the
cup, which presently assumed the form
OF decrepit, ragged, filthy. old man.
OF all that / had seen of wretchedness,
squalor and misery, the figure before
me was the most fitting representa-
tive, only the degree of wretchedness
seemed to be hundred fold intensi-
fed.
"Who are your" demanded, as the
old man moved toweIds me.
"My name Is poverty"
81 should think it might be. What
do you want here?"
II just dropped in TO bc introduced
to you, for you and are likely to be
friends"
Indeed, old fellow you are reckon
ing too fast. I keep only respectable
company.
"Just now you. do; but you will
change your habits by.and-by."
Don't be too familiar, If you please
l suggested" as the old chap drew
a chair to my side, and seated him
self.
1--WE are bound to be friends, young
man. Did you ever read Emcrson's
works
"Of eeurs. have"
"Well, sir, l am representative
man."
"Yeu had better take yourself of, or
shall be under the necessity Of kick.
ing you down stairs"
II don't mind that lam used to
it."
"Be civil to him." interpossd the
Demon. "He Is one of us, and good
fellow in his way. He 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 vapor arose from the glass
and another form, more hideous than
either of the others appeared before
me. was alarmed at first by his saw
age expression and glaring eyes,
"Who are your" l inquired, shrink
ing back from the loathsome mon
ster.
"My name is Crime
"Then yeu have been we'll named u
81 have work for you to do"
81 am too much engaged 10 assist
YOU" I Irenlied.
"Come, come, ,llon'tbe too stiff about
Il suppose you are not quites andy
to help me yet, but l can bide my time
for have mortgage on you which In
due season you must psy up"
"How do like my friendss" asked the
Demon.
81 don't like them"
"Nof"
"The old fellow Is ma ineoavenient
companion, and don't like the morals
of the other chap. His notions of mine
and thine are too indefinite to suit my
IDEAS"
Indeed; you seemed SO much inclin
ed to make their acquaintance, that
supposed you were anxious to number
I n