The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-09
BR0THEG BLIINE,s LATEST BOND
TRANS1CTIoN.

A casual observer would have taken the pair for
Intelligent foreigners studying the Institutions
Of the country. Yet they were no strangers to
Washington. One was the Devils Undertaken,
the other was the Devil himself.
"well, what do YOU think of Blaine 2" said
Congressman to Ben Wade la the herring of our
friends.
"He beats the Devil" sententiously remarked
the ex- statesman.
The great unknown thus alluded to smiled
placidly and said to his companion:
Rather amusing, isn'tit Beats the Devil
Very good"
at Is funny. your Majesty" replied tho I'm
dertaker, and they both laughed. 1T is evident
that these people do not comprehend the dual
nature of the Satanic principle. They do not
that the Devil Is as distinct from the Devils
Undertaken as vshnu, the preserver, is from
silva, the destroyer. II Is your interest, OF
course, to maintain these rascals on earth just
rs long as they give any promise OF further use
fulness to tho cause. gather them IN when
you are through with them. Yet, whenever
poor wretch winds up his career and disappears
In glory OF birthstone, the world SAYS, Gone to
the Devil, when, II II knew things they are, 10
would say, Abandoned by the Devil 10 the ten
der mercies Of the Dsyirs Undertaken"
Both OF these pleasant gentlemen laughed
again, and quite heartily.
"Sometimes you are decidedly In too much OF
a hurry for your Victims" said the nrst speaker,
81 have great faith in the final efforts Of a truly
useful rogue. believe 10 giving him plenty Of
rope"
AT all events" said the Undertaken politely,
1--WE are perfectly agreed in regard to our
Brother Blaine. Even your sanguine, trustful
heart cannot nope to get any moro service out
OF him In less than fifteen minutes shall take
comes now"
zone moment with you, please, Mr.. Blaine"
said the Devil, stepping forward and beckoning
the ex- Speakers little apart. The Undertaken
followed, cheerfuIly jinsling a pair Of handouts
In his pocket.
Mr.. Blaine turned white and then red. and bis
voice trembled little, as he said
"Well, sir, what Is your business with me7'
ITO come at once to the point" said the
Devil, :" hold here document containing AN
agreement, or contract. or bond, just you
please, by which furnished you with ability
skin. pluck, wit, magnetic eloquence, audacity
even to impudeDce-in short, with every quail
ncatipn needfuI to subserve ambition In attain
ing success. Here is your signature, you see, all
regular aud witnessed Dy our mutual friend
Hannibal Hsmlin."
IL remember. now" said Blaine, quickly, at
had almost forgotten your face. Haven't seen
you, | believe, since l was member OF the
Maine Legislature. How have you been. old
felow2 Come down TO dinner and bring your
friend. Should like to have you meet Sam
Ward"
Thanks" said the Devil, "but Il will be i'm
possible. Business Is business. You may re-
member that there was a consi deration men
toned IN the bond"
81 do recall something Of the kind" STAN
Nj.
don't mean to Pshawi Why, 1 was young
then and didn't understand the nature Of a
bond l was frauduiently induced to sign the
paper. I besides, It's outlawed."
ut is not outlawed," answered the Devil
firmly. Everything 10 legal and regular and
after mature elaboration have determined to
hand you over to my Undertaken here"
The Devirs Undertaken stepped up with a
smile, aud a courteous nod to Mr.. blaine.
" But surely" continued Blaine, "you Will not
enforce the bond. o, think OF my family, my
friends, my connections. Let them plead for
me. Try me a little longer can still De Of
service to YOU. do not feel that shall be a
deddhedd ~ anu enterprise you may suggest. I see
rdrtotS channels IN rhtch knop / can be useful"
With wave of his hand the Devil referred
this piteous petition to the Undertaken.
at is so nominated in the bond" said the
Undertaken. 81 must Insist upon u strict inter
p citation OF its provisions"
" Let mo retire into private life. into obscur-
~, into oblivion" urged the ex-Speaker.
ut will not do" said the Undertaker. " l re-
member coming here under similar circum-
stances just about four years ago. We were
after Colfax then. The poor wretch pleaded 80
hard aud wept So bitterly that, against my bet
ter judgment, gave him up as a corpse not
worth the burling. How did he repay me 2
Went lectunng to Young Mems Christian Asso-
Citations That is my last experiment in tue
merciful line"
AT least," said Blaine, in apparent despair.
you will allow mo To look over the bond.
Give me fair play. There may be some flaw
In the phraseology."
MY papers always pretty strongly
drawn" said the Devil, with a smile; but have
no objection 10 letting YOU satisfy yourself,
provided, OF course, you will give me your
word Of honor as between gentlemen, that you
will return the document"
Certainly" said Blaine, II give you my
word"
The paper passed into MIR. Blaine's hands.
He sat down on the Capitol steps aud read 1t
| attentively, while the Devil and the Devils Un-
dert ,ker stood BY, patiently waiting.
Then a sudden change came over Mr. Blaine q
counter. nee. He flushed to the roots of his
hair with viTtuous INDIGNATION. lie buttoned
the bond in his inner breast pocket and jump
ing TO his feet exclaimed in an excited manner
what is this2 An attempt to injure me
with my own private papers, An invasion OF
the personal rights of an American citizen
An outrage on the inaenable privileges OF
every freedom republic n! dastardly at
tempt to blacken my reputation by a perver.
sion OF my own handwriting! Never, never.
shall l give up this bond l defy the ex- Con-