New-York tribune., 1885-07-26
A TALK WITH THE DEVIL.
JuLIAN HAWTHORNE FINDS HIM IN NEW
YORK.
yRAxK AND FRIENDLY EXPRESSIONS CN RhiId'
Ious AND SOCIAL THEMES.
<.xx,r;obf 1898.


FRANK AND FRIENDLY EXPRESSIONS CN HhL''-
IoUs AND SOCIAL THEMES.
Copyright 1885.
rh.d brouubt a powerful letter Of introduction
frou. a common friend of ours, and made a point
If delivering it promptly. But an unexpected
d,fReulty occurred at the very outset. No one
coud tell me whore the Prince of the Powers Of tnc
Air lived Whether society were really Ignorant
of n or whether. from motives of personal decacy,
thew hesitated to tell what they knew, could not
determine.
However. had reason to believe that his high
ness had been for long time q resident OF Ne"'
York and concluded that so Influential q person
sge could not fail to have his address IN the ci'y
directory. Accordingly. stepped into the hearoS'
druggists shop, and, after drinking glass Oh ICE
cream soda asked for the volume in question:
first looked under d. but careful search iano" W
discover the name turned TO B., put WIN ho
bstter re,ult. Then remembered Goethe. and ran
throurh the Ms; but tho sprightly spirit that
denies appeared not at my summons LIE Diaoie
Boiteux Of Le Sage next occurred to me. and in
vostieatcd the A column but even there my too
retiring friend declined to show his face or even
the track of his foot. closed the book thanked
the Rentlemanly clerk and left the shop as wise as
went into it.
Times were changed, evidently, since this poten-
tate was accustomed to 60 about the earth ike
roaring lion, seeking whom he might dovour. iet
n soemed strange Instance of the irony OF fate
that o pcrson who desired to go to him with sue
easerne.s a. I did, should be bafled at the very
frst stop. Many persons, had boon informed
happened upon him without theleast troublo-nay,
unpremeditatedy, or by the morest aoc'dsn|
tried to think Of any passages In my own pas.
history that would be likely to rcnder my pursuit
ftutloss, but could honestly call nothing OF tho
-ssrt to mind On the contrary, had many grounds
fer thinking that my disappointment was IN every
respect undeserved.
While I was in this quandary. standing on the
corner OF the street, and at loss, like the hero OF
~Pilgrim's Progress" which way to go, happened
70 descry my esteemed acquaintance. the kev.
Father b, coming toward mo up the avenue
This holy gentleman oficiates. with great spiendor
and success In one of the most aesthetic OF our
uptown churches. The good fathers very counten-
sneo boamed with benevOlence and good nature.
sad az he caught sight of me- he gracefully raised
his plump foreRnger (his hand was as white and
soft Is woman's) aud touched the wide brim OF
his black hat responded respectfully to his
oalute and, turning as he reached mo- walked by
his side.
ct Is long since we have met" Father B. was
knd enough to remark. Are you ont on an OK
plorng expedltion~
"You have hit II exactly replied.
mot to the North Pole, trust ~ he rejoined.
smiling.
"Well. no; quite in another direction, indeed"
.Ahi And how are you making outr
sWhy. have lost my way, or. to be more ac-
eurate, ] haven't found it,"
Dear, deari Perhaps can be Of some assist
aoeei"
Now, to confess the truth, my imagination had
already had the temerity to suggest that possibly
esed Father B. might afford me some useful in
formation As an eminent divine, he could hardly
fail to be at least theoretically familiar with the
habits of the parsonage was in quest Of; and 1t
va conceivable that his zeal for human wclfare
had even prompted him to acquire some practical
knowledge on the subject. To be sure. the crop
haired aud sinister individual, in miscellaneous
attire, who was Just then slouching past us. with
Bing Sing stamped on every movement, was un-
ausstionably a much more fitting source OF en-
lishtenment; but have my prejrdices, and like to
transact my affairs in the most respectable manner
that circumstances will admit Moreover, the
Father certainly did look very sagacious; aud
there was a tolerant twinkle in his eye that en-
eouraged me to make the venture.
Il was looking for the addresses of this note." i
ssid, putting my letter Of Introduction into his
hand. Father B. glanced over 1t hastily, and
experienced moment OF alarmed suspense. But,
thank fortunel nv luck had changed.
-Bess my soul Why. my dear SIR" exclaimed
my reverend friend heartily, while . broad smile
illunined his comely visage. You are asking me
The way to my earliest and most intimate friend !
I waslunclag with him this very day. anlef him
not fifteen minutes sincel We're it not for pross-
ing appointment II am bound professional visit
20 Mrs. A5pasa Tugend-a monstrous fine woman
overlowing with all the Christian virtues, but with
oconscicnce 50 sensitive as TO require constant
uinistr:.;ohs-1 saw were it not for her. it would
give me the greatest pleasure to conduct You to my
cid friends residence Ia person However, l can
promise you cordial reception IN any case. The
house is on - Street, No. =. Wcll. well. l ain
very glad Of this. lie Is wonderful fellow for
ny part. tell hun never can hope to repay him
the obligations he has put me under He mover for
eets friend. shall meet vou there Often in the
future. And now, here is Aspasia's-Mrs Tugend's
ImeaD. A bien tot my dear sir!
~Au revoir! We shall bs together in spirit.
though separated in body. n est CO pas Z"
Go to the ID" returned the Father gayly. as
h mounted the brownstone steps and laid his
Anger on tho electric bell-knob. lie waved his
white hand tp me as the dooropened and saw him
no more.
This encounter raised my spirits; 1t IS pleasant
70 find catholic breadth OF view In ecclcsiastic
- highly placed as his reverence. Father B-'5
eirvIe of acquaintance perfectly select. aud
whoever had his good word was sure to be uncx-
esptionabIc company. l had noticed that ne wrote
something in pencil on the ea volope of my letter
] now that it was name- Mr.. Black-ovi-
dsntly the ncognito by which the pcrsonageI
sought chose to be known. 1t was, perhaps Of
his old family names. As pursued my way. Iex
hausted my faAcy pcturing the awful ma2niI-
esucc of his residence his reverberatng voice, and
che appalling grandeur of his demeanor. But rs it
turned out, was on the wrong track altogether.
Tho house, . narrow, unobtrusive building. was
IN . retirod part of Q side street. and tho ground