The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-11-30
OUR STORY


tanning the remains OF sherry cot
bier bad just imbibed. II neve
occurred to me that these same sheF
ny cobbiers were dangerous compan
ions for young man, and IWas Il
the habit of taking from three TO
dozen ofthem per diem-three whei
1 was going 10 see Lucy Sheldon,
particular friend of mine. and
dozen on the off days.
L turned the leaves of the maga
zine, but could fiDd no other stor,
that looked inviting; so threw /
down, and sunk back In my rockini
chair. Things had begun TO lool
rather dim, and my own conscious
ness very indistlnct, when my at
tention was attracted by a strang
commotion in the glass from which
had partly consumed my cobbleF
/ glanced at IL, and presently
long wreath of smoke or yapor ros,
from the cup, and stretched itseI
over toward the farther corner o
the room, just exactly as the cloud
had preceded the appearance of tn,
genii in the story had been reading
The vapor slowly, and apparently
with malice aforethought, began "a
assume tangible shape, finally re
solving itself In the form of as ugly
a demon as had ever read about
He was monstrous in size, would
probably have been twenty feel
high, if the room had been long
enough.
"Who are you2v I inquired, dis.
pleased with my visitor.
81 am the Demon of the Cup" be
replied, in voice which seemed ia
shake the whole house.
81 haven't the pleasure of your
acquaintance" I continued.
"Yes you have. You are one OF
my best friends"
II believe we never met before
"a dozen times a day."
"Then you didn't look as ugly az
you do now, If you will excuse my
boldness."
"No; l wear a pleasant face when
| make the acquaintance of young
gentlemen bnt 1 thought it was
about time we should be better &C
quainted. You don't know me yet.
We will have social time, if you
like"
mo, thank you; 1 can't say 1 am
much pleased with your society,"
cat any rate, shall introduce you
to q few of my friends" he contin-
cup.
Instantly another cloud of smoke
or vapor proceeded from the cup,
which presently-assumed the form
of a decrepit, ragged, filthy old
man. OF all that 1 had ever seen
of wretchedness, squalor and mis-
cry, the figure before me was the
most fitting representative. only the
degree of wretchedness seemed a
hundred.fold intensified.
"Who are yon?" i demanded, as
the old man moved toward me.
"My name is Poverty
al should think it might be. What
do you want here? 2"
81 just dropped in to be intro
duced to you, for you and are like
ly to be friends"
'1ndeed, old fellow, you are rec
koniDg too fast. i keep only re-
spectacle company"
"Just now you do; but you will
change your habits by-and-by.
'Don't be too familiar, if you
please" suggested, as the old chap
drew chair to my side, and seated
himself.
"We- are bound to be friends,
young man. Did you ever read
Emerson's works2"
"Of course 1 have"
"Well, sir, am representative
man."
"You had better take yourself off,
or l shall be under the necessity of
kicking you down stairs"
al don't mind that; am used to
it,"
s'Be civil to him." interposed the
Demon. Gle is one of US, and q
good fellow in his way. He often
brings men to their senses when
nothing else will, but you have an
other friend and again he waved
his wand over the cup.
Again the vapOr rose from the
glass and another form, more hide
Gus than either of the others appear
ed before me. / was alarmed at
first by his savage expression and
glariDg eyes.
"Who are your" L inquired,
shrinking back from the loathsome
monster.
"MY name is crime"
'"Then you have been well named
81 have work for you to do"
81 am too much engaged to as
sist you" i replied.
"Come, come, don't be too stiff
about it. suppose you are moi
quite ready to help me yet, but
can bide my time, for 1 have a mort.
gage on you which in due season
you must pay up"
"How dosyOu like my friends !?
asked the Demon.
81 don't like them
"No?"
''The old fellow is inconven-
lent companion, and don't like the
morals OF the other chap. His no.
tons of mine aud thine are too in
definite to suit my ideas.
Indeed, you seemed so much in,
chned to make their acquaintance
that 1 supposed you was anxious Il
number them among your friends.
ZIP" --
Certainly; they belong In thu
cup. But there is one more you
must know"
As he spoke, that smoke inferno
curled up and resolved into the
form of a woman. She was pale
haggard, and almost a skeleton. She
was clothed in rags, and was a per
feet picture of Indebtedness and
despair. There was noting really
hideous in her aspect beyond the
marks of poverty aud want which
she bore. She turned aud fixed a
glance of reproach upon me-s
glance which thrilled nae to the soul
pitied the poor wretch and turned
away.
1 looked again. Those features
were familiar TO me. / was shock,
ed, Mortified, as recognized Lucy
Sheldon in the dreadful figure be
fore me.
"Lucy!" exclaimed, with a starr
of horror.
"Oh, Robert" she cried, in agony
as she threw herself upon her knee,
before me. "Pitv mel Pity ou
poor chlldrenl They are hungry
they are perishing with the cold.
am hungry, l am freezing, but car,
not for myself. Pity them, saw
them!"
my God, Lucy u