The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-10-19
THE THREE WISHES.

George was a stupid fellow so stupid
that his father, when dying, willed all
his possessions to his younger son,
Hans, who he trusted knew enough not
to make nine into one, or ten into
naught, as George would surely have
done. Shortly after his fathers death,
as George had not penny, nor was
likely to have one unless he earned it,
something he was not at all willing to
do, he went to borrow or beg one from
his richer brother; but his affection
ate relative told him to "go to the
devil when he heard his request.
Thereupon George Immediately ran
to the schoolmaster, who was, he
thought, most fit to tell him how to fol-
low his brothers advice, he being the
most learned man in the village, but the
schoolmaster thought very naturally
that George wished something more
substantial than mere good advice so,
first looking carefully to see that no
one was near, he too said, "go to the
devil" and shut the door in his guests
face.
Poor George was puzzled as to the
manner of finding the person he was
sent to- but he resolved to go out into
the world, where perhaps he might meet
him. However, he first went to say
"good-by" to Elise, the belle of the
village, with whom he had been in love
since he wore petticoats. Strange to
say, she repeated the advice already
given him, in most emphatic manner,
with a shrug of her pretty, plump
shoulders.
Just at this time the devil had GER
tainly broken loose, for it was during the
thirty years war; but, though there were
to be seen his footprints everywhere, it
WAS difficult to catch him in prOpria
1perSOnR. In order to have food and
drink, George enlisted, and among his
comrades our friend heard many stories
ofhis Majesty, though when hisardent de-
sire to make his personal acquaintance was
known, the soldiers fled in terror. One
night, however, he sat around a watch
fire with some of them, endeavoring to
keep awake and warm by exciting stories
of witches and wonders, and such pleas
ant things.
At length one more venturesome than
the rest offered to sell himself to Belize
bub for a sack of gold. "And so would
L, if 1 only knew where to find him !"
said George, eagerly.
"To find him That's easy enough, I"
laughed an old Walloonet. "Will your
try ?"
CT should like nothing better" re.
piled our hero, but his comrades crossed
themselves.
When they had all gone to sleep, ex-
cept George and the Walloonet, the lat
ter asked George if he was serious in his
desire to make acquaintance with the
devil.
Certainly" replied George. ct was
advised to do so by all my friends, and
have only not done it before because 1
could not find him."
"Well, L can teach you. quickly
enough, but you must promise me 800
il / do"
George declared his willingness to do
80, but his inability also. for he had spent
all his pay, and plumber had been scarce
in the few days preceding.
Stupid head % growled the Wal
1o0net. "I don't mean now, but when
you have ended your contract with the
devil"
To this George acceded, and the old
soldier gave him all the proper instruc-
t ons.
The following midnight found George
where the four cross roads meet; magical
roots were in his hand; a charmed circle
had been made around him with human
bones, which besprinkled plentifully the
fields about. After George had fear
lessly uttered the necessary invocations
a number of times, he felt some one pull
his ear. and, turning around, he saw a
hunter by his side, but with horns, tail
and cloven feet, which he took no pains
to hide.