The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1876-06-23

L ct tney fereAO strangers 10 w asuinSlon'
s One was the Devils Undertaken, the other
: was the Devil himself.
"WeA, What do you think Of Baine?"
.said Congressman to Ben Wade n the
hearing of our friends.
"He beats the Devil" sententiousb re-
marked the ex-statesman.
The great unknown thus alluded to
!: smiled plaaSt Iy and said to his companions:
= iaS Saths'd amusing, isn't it Beats the
.Do Hif Very good y SO
: psN .t is funny, your Majesty, replied the
~ ,iertaker, aud they both 'ushcd.
a" "It is evident that tlrete people do not
comprehend the dual nature OF the Satanic
principle TheS 10 not see that the Devil
is as distr:ct from the Devils Undertaken
as yishnu, the preserver, is from silva, the
destroyer. 1t is your interest, of course, to
maintain these rascals on earth just as long
as they give any promise of further useful
neess to the cause. gather them in Zen
you are through with them. Yet, when
ever poor wretch winds up his career and
disappears in a glory of birthstone, the world
says, Conc to to Devil when, if it knew
things as they are, it would say, Abandoned
by the Devil to the tender mercies of the
Devils Undertaken"
Both Of these pleasant gentlemen laughed
again, and quite heartily.
"Sometimes you are decidedly in too much
of hurry for your victims" said the first
s9saksr. II have great faitiS u the final ef:
cat all events" said the undertaken DO
litely, eve are perfectly agreed in regard
to our Brother Blaine. Even your san
Suinc, trustful heart cannot hope to get any
more service out Of him. In less than
fifteen minutes shall take quiet satisfac-
tion in shaking him off, Hera- -hA comes
now"
"One moment with yovrsiaH Pas .sse Mr.
Blaine" said the Devil, ste. ..g forward
and beckoning the ex-SpeakGr little apart.
The Undertaken followed, checrfully ling
ling pair of handouts in his pocket.
Mr.. Blaine turned white and ,hen red,
and his voice trop,blcd little, as he said
"Well, sir," what is your business with
"T9come at once to the point" said.the
Dcviy 81 hold here a document containing
an aghecment, or contract, or bond, Just as
: Xnn lpksse. 1hg4 which L.furnished yor witt
abinly, skill, pluck, wit, magnetic clio ,ucnce
aud;S lty even to impudcnce-in short, with
evcrIqualification nccdful to subscrvc am
bition in attaining success. Here is your
signature, you see, all regular and witnessed
by our mutual friend, Hannibal Hanlir'
81 remember, now" said Blaine, quickly,
81 had almost fJrgottcn your face Hay
ent seen you, believe, since 1 was mem
ber of the Maine Legislature How have
you been, old fellow? Come down to dinner
and bring your friend. Should like to have
you meet Sam Ward"
"Thanks," said the Devil "but it will be
impossible. Business is business You re-
member that there was a consideration men
toned in the bond"
Il do recall something of the kind"
stammered Blaine, nervously. but of
course you don't mean to-Pshaw =
Why, was young then, and didn't under
stand the nature of bond. was fraudu-
lently induced to sign the paper, I-be-
sides it's outlawed."
cit is not outlawed, }" answered the Devil, |
firmly. "Everything is legal and regular,
and, after mature deliberation | have de-
termined to hand you over to my underta-
ker here.
The Devils Undertaken stepped up with
smile, and courteous nod to Mr.. Blaine
"But surely" continued Blaine, "you
will not enforce the bohd. o, think of my
family, my friends, my connections Let
them plead for me. Try me little longer
[ can still be of service to you Ido nt'
feel that 1 shall be q deadhead IN any en-
terpr'se you may suggest. / see curious
channels an ,ohich hnov can be useful
With wave of his hand the Devil re-
ferred this pteous petition to the Underta-
ker.
cit is SO nominated in the bond" said
the undertaken. 81 must insist upon strict
interpretation Of its provisions"
d. Let me retire into private life, into OBJ
scurlty, into oblivion" urged the ex Speak
Cr.
'It will not do" said the undertaken, 'I
remember coming here under similar cir
cumstances just about four years ago We
were after Colfax then. The poor wretch.
pleaded SO hard and wert so bitterly that
against my better Judgment, gave him up
as corpse not worth the burying How
did he repay me? Went lecturing to Young
Mems Christian Associations That is nv
last experiment in the mcrciful line"
"At least" said Blaine, in apparent de-
spair, you will allow me to look over the
bond. Give me fair play. There may be
some flaw in the phraseology'
"My papers are always pretty strongly
drawn" said the Devil, with smile but
/ have no objection to letting you satisfy
yourself, provided, Of course, you will give
me your word Of honor as between gentle.
men, that you will return the document"
IL - n