The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-05-06
Select Sturp.
THE DEMON OF ALOST,

In the year 1882 Brabancon soldier,
Jean Spitaels, arrived in the town OF
Alost, from Ninove, on gloomy Novem-
ber night. On his way he had defended
the person of young widow of Ghent,
who had been attacked by robbers. He
was severely wounded and took up his
abode at hostlery, kept by one CHS
lain Merck, who Hospitality received
him. As he lay on his bed of sickness,
the beauty of the young widow kept in
truding upon his thoughts until he could
think of nothing else. He resolved when
he got we'll, to 60 to Client to find the
object of his affections and to ask her in
marriage. When can took up his q1ar"
ters at the hostlery, fearing that he
might be led into foolish expenses by
4 some OF the brotherhood Of Cross.bow'
man of Alost, he handed over his we'll
furnished purse to the care OF his host
Previous to taking his departure he
claimed back the money. But the sight
of gold tempts people to bad actions
The hosts wife pointed out to her spouse
that the money had been placed in his
charge without the presence of witness
ses, and the INSCRIPTIONS woman in
duCed him to deny ever having received
it, and asked him "f he wished to take
away his character ?" Jean became fu.
rious, but though he loudly declared the
wrong done him, the syCophants of the
public house took sides against him,and
he was driven from the house. Spitaels
drew his sword, and threatened to break
open the door, when the host and hostess
had him arrested and sent to prison.
Spitaels being stranger, and the grand
bailif being partial to Mercz, he was
prejudiced against him. As Jean had no
friends, the majority of opinions even
went 80 far as to favor putting him to
death, and but for an unforeseen incident,
it might have Jared badly with the un.
fortunate soldier. There was at that
epoch demon in Alost, who had shown
himself to several persons, and hence
been much talked about; but as lie had
not harmed any one, he was not very
much dreaded. The morning of the day
when Spitaels was to be taken before the
prejudiCed judges, the said demon made
his appearance in his dungeon, and said
to him:
"You are about to be condemned to
death, which is an injustice, but that is
the way in which men act. Nevertheless,
ifyou will give yourselfto me will save
your life."
"And who are you ?" asked the soldier
after momentary silence
"Do not be afraid of me. l am the
demon of Alost."
1.-THE demon of Alostp exclaimed |
Spitaels. "A demon give myself up to
demon No, l would rather perish in.
noCent than save nay life by giving up
my soul to demon !"
But" persisted the tempter, "think |
that in two hours the opportunity of saw
ing you will ha; g gone by. You are
young; you have still many years to
live; l can get back your money for you.
And what about the fair widow of
Ghent2 She is here; she is in Alost;
and she wishes to see you and to save
you"
These words had a great effect upon
Spitaels. He was agitated but firmly |
he said, II will not yield will perish |
on the scaffold before l yield to the
tempter."
The demon, turning round, said -
"Well, since you will not belong to me-
l will give you disinterested aid. Follow |
my advice. When you are summoned |
before the grand bailif, plead innocence,
and ask (what can not be refused to
you) that you may have for counsel a
barrister whom you will see there in a
blue cap. That will be myself"
The prisoner was delighted. Barely |
Hp hour elapsed before he was led into |
tle presence of the judges. The aCCusa
tion was brought against him that he |
sought to murder his host and hostess,
after having uDjustly illuminated them.
Spitaels looking eagerly about, soon |
made out barrister with a cadaverous
face and spare pointed beard, but with |
eyes of fire, and who wore a skull cap of |
blue velvet. His courage revived upon |
seeing his mysterious ally, and he de.
manded in loud voice that the pale. |
face counsel should be allowed to plead |
for him, as he said he was but a rude SOL |
der, and little versed in the art fplead-
ing. His request was granted. jeans |
counsel proceeded with the case with |
great tact and eloquenCe. He related |
the true history of the money deposited |
in the hands of his host, with the addi- |
ton of circumstances which the soldier |
himself had forgotten till he was re.
minded of them, and he further declared |
that he could bring witnesses who |
would prove that Spitaels had the very
sum of money about him when he left |
Ninove which he declared he had lost, a |
feeling began to perYade the assembly |
that the BrabanCon might be right after
all. But when his distinguished counsel |
came out with his last great point, and |
declared that he would reveal to the
judges the very spot where the money at
that moment hid, the host was 80 aston.
ished and perplexed that he Jumped |
upon his feet, asserting that it was false, |
that he had not the money, that it was
not seCreted where he said it was and |
he swore in his excitement that he wo'd |
give himself to the devil if what he said |
was not true.
This was just what the demon had |
hoped for, and had anticipated would |
take place.
II do not ask for more" he said, tax.
ing off his velvet cap and displaying two |
little horns, while his eyes seemed to |
cast flames upon the terrified host. The
crowd at once made way for he myste.