The Osceola times., 1882-02-04
MY DEMON.

MY DEMON.
"When / forsook the college walls of
W, some years ago, | was possessed
of-of-"
"Of immense knowledge"
"No such thing, my friend"
Acquaintance, thorough, vast, varied,
with men and things?"
Ear from it. If anything, rather the
reverse of this"
shades of the Campusl You but Joke
my dear fellow. Possessed-of what
pray?"
"Ofa demonw
"And that demon"
"a desire!v
"Indeedw
"Yes," said he, 81 was possessed OF it
continually. 1t haunted me all the night
and all the day. | stroye with it, but
Duissant effort and superhuman exertion
we're alike puerile and inefficient"
smiled little, partly to encourage
my friend and partly to cover the grow
ing interest felt in his story. II con-
slider that no person ought ever to get
excited
Proceed"
"The demon, said. was a desirsl That
desire, to encounter coquette; to
humble her naughty spirit aud subdue
her obdurate heartl'
| nodded three times-each nod was
given with deliberation. eyed him at
tentively as he continued.
"Look at that person Not tall, to be
sure, but well knit, full of grace and
Adonis-like."
As he said this, he rose from his chair,
and, drawing his coat tight about him,
stood erect and turned quite around.
"And those eyesl note them-large
dark, luminous. Just imagine ho3g they
shonc and sparkled on that night -
that occasion."
imagined.
81 was the heir my of rich, bachelor
uncle; an scarcely had | entered upon
the possession of the wealth his demise
had left f,r my sole enjoyment, and had
time to arrange some business matters
in the little village which was honored
by his name, before the intelligence was
conveyed TO me that one Of the most
beautiful girls, yet one of the most arrant
and tickle of coquettes, was resident Of
the place.
81 can't begin TO tell how this news
delighted me. | was superlatively elated
--editied.
"She appeared TO bethe theme of every
tongue. Her beauty, her voice, her elo-
auence, her educ ltion and accomplish
ments, her standing, and above all, her
desperate tirtations, her audacious con
quests, her cruelty, her"
"Stop moment-take breath said l.
interrnpting what was like to be an end
less chain of snbstantives
According TO rumor," said my friend
mo such tyraut was ever before seen.
No man approached her but he went
away with a deadly arrow cleaving to
his side, and she laughing at his anguish.
This was quite enough. | desired to
know no more. II was bliss to me
ecstatic bliss Ii sank down INTO the
we'll Of my heart, and then, gushiAg up,
it meandered every vein, nerve, fibre
and muscle.
Then | drew myself up, every feature
beaming with one thought, and swore
BY the ashes Of my sTes and lny demised
bachelor uncle, and by thar guardian
genius which never deserted me in any
emergency that | would teach this
y
maltreat my sex-what il is 10 make
hermits and misanthropes of my fellow
men, and what, consequently, it is to
cheat the census roll of its legitimate in
crease.
"The night of the fete came. | drew
on my low patent feathers over a pair
of immaculate silk stockings, shook am
brosial fragrance into my snowy kerchief,
and was off to meet and subdue the all
dangerous siren.
"As passed along the way, thought
of nothing save the coqueite, aud the
triumph had in anticipation, | argued
to myself
"A parcel of illiterate country Dunes
have been swelling her triumph with
list of unmeaniug and dshonorable cap
tives, and hence her tame. Doubtless she
is some little, smooth faced doll--some
pert, forward miss, full of airs, and
smelling of boarding-schoo and butte.
Proud Of bright complexion and little
money, spoiled 10y tlattery and the want
of competition, a creature that would be
eclipsed burne .up, in the blaze of a city
soiree.
"A few moments found me by sweet,
modest rirl. TO whom in the confusion
ofa crowd, much more numerous and
dazzling thar had expected. some one
had introduced me in so hurried a man
ner rs to leave each one ignorant of the
Others name.
81 looked at her-she was a Venusl
Il danced with her-she WAS sylphi
Absolutely, the village coquette vas
quite forgot; she had utterly passed from
my mind in the loyeliness, the simple,
modest grace, the exquisite air of ele-
gance and propriety which my charming
acquaintance exhibited.
AT length / rem embered. took my
gaze from her countenance and lookei
around for the object of my former
curiosity. A superbly dressed girl was
dancing near us, all feathers, iiounces,
jewels, blazing, ristlinp, laughing aloud,
smiline on this gentleman, whispering
TO that one, suffering third to hold her
hand .
asrhis 10 eho cati 10 ,,arcalf tTlss 4.