Connecticut western news., 1879-01-01
LassoiDg a Spectre.


 LassOiDg a Spectre.
 Some few years ago, toward the end of December, all Moscow was startled by the rumor-at first vague and doubt ful, then more and more distinct-of hideous figure which showed itself nightly just outside one of the principal ."barriers'" Q; the city, terrifying all beholders with the veritable semblance of g demon-horns, tail, fiery eyes, and all.
 After time, however, it was whisper ed that every one who had been inter. viewed ''by this disagreeable promena- der had ended by finding himself minus his watch, purse, or some other valuable "a fact which aroused suspicious that the pretended demon was, after all, only some daring thief, requiring the exor- 3cisms of the police rather than those of the clergy E # < Such; 1t least, was the view taken in the Bureau of Police itself, where the matter was being discussed one night by some dozen members of the < force" with the addition. of such details as popular ruEnor of their own lively fancy suggested. @@ ~z'@S '7 2--~ --~s 74
 Suddenly 3 young Cossack, recently enrolled, who had sat perfectly silent during the whole conversation, arose and said, quietly but firmly: "It's against orders to let the devil walk about I'll just go and tackle him."
 So saying, the adventurous lad went forth, saddled his horse, and set of in quest of the pocket picking demon, taking with him no weapon gave his "arkrn "a short lasso-as formidable in Cossack hands as in those. of the American Gaucho.'' -s 's Y --F =
 It was dark long before he reached the barrier, but faint gleam of moonlight showed him ghastly figure, which seemed to rise out of the earth at his approach. and said, in hollow voice i:
 Halloa, there aOant you Come down with mo to my kingdom below"
 The sinister summons was barely ut tered, when that moose settled around thetspeaker's neck, and the half-throt- tied demon found himself ierked from his feet and flung violently to the ground.
 The Cossack bound him hand and foot, trussed him up behind the saddle, and started back through the town at full gallop, utterly regardless of the cries of astonishment that followed his course, and tue crowd that gathered at his heels like snow-ball. s.s ...,... Meanwhile, the chief of police, hav- gone to bed earlier than usual, had just fallen asleep, when he was aroused by a violent knocking at his door and shout | of ~ --s -+' '.'"e- # -' .l.- ~...--
 "Your excelleneyl your excellency P 1 "What the de lce is the matter ?'' cried "his excellency," savagely, ad. ding brief but forcible apostrophe, which need not be uoted. E 3
 "The devil, your excellency, answt r. ed voice from without.
 "The devil ?" echoed the great man, somewhat startled at the announcement of such visitor, despite the appropri- ateness of the hour.
 "There's Cossack below, your ex- cellency, who says he's caught the devil, and wants to know what he's to do with him." .t,...
 A sudden recollection of the "barrier demon flashed upon the chiefs mind, and he comprehended the whole affair in a moment.
 Hurrying on his clothes as quickly as possible, he hastened down stairs, and found at the. door the horse with his ghostly burden, while the Cossack, making his salute, said, quietly
 five caught the devil, your excel lency. What are your excellency's or ders about h1m ?'' .-=e. gs.--, s.... ;
 Stihing laugh at his followers cool ness, the chief ordered the prisoner's disguise to be taken off, when the fea- lures revealed were those of hotel thief, for whose apprehension a large reward had been offered.
 The rascal was promptly packed off to Siberia, while his captor received in full the recomperse to which he was SO well entitled.