The Forrest City times., 1889-11-02
HOW HE BEAT THE DEVIL,

his desk that evening hc made up his mind that his life had been . failure. "I have labored long and diligently" said he to himself. "and although I am known throughout the city as m in- dustrious and shrewd business man I am still poor man and shall probably continue so to the end of my days unless"
 Here Daniel stopped and shivcred. For week or more he had been brood ing over lis unhappy lot There seemed to be but one way out of his 1 trouble, yet his soul revo ltcd f om tak- ing that step. That was why he stopped and shivercd.
 But" he argued, II must do some- thing! My nine children are growing up into big boys and girls. They must havo those advantages which my limited means will not admit of! All my life so far has been pure, circum- spect and rigid; poverty has at last broken my spirit T give up the fight l am ready to sell my soul to the 1 devill'
 The determination is wise one," said a voice at Daniels elbow. Daniel looked up aud beheld grim visaged stranger in the chair beside him. The stranger was arrayed all in black, and he cxhalcd distant odor of sulphur.
 Am l to understand" asked tho stranger, that you are prepared to enter into league with the devil,"
 Yes" said Daniel, firmly; and he set his teeth together after the fashion of a man who Is not to be moved from his purpose.
 Then 1 am ready to treat with you. !" said tho stranger.
 Are you the devil?" askcd Daniel. eying the stranger critically. l No. but l am authorized to enter into contracts for him." explained the stranger My name Is Bcelxebub agent"
 Sir" said Daniel, you must par. don me tfor am loathe to wonnd yorr feelings). but ono of the rules governing my career us business man has been to deal directly with ! principals and never to trust to tho offices Of middlemen. Tho affair now 1 in hand is one concerning tho devil and myself, and betwoon us two ah d by us two only can the preliminaries bc adjusted"
 'As 1t so happens" explaine d Beelzebub, this is riday--commonly called hangmau's day-and that is us busy time in our particular locality as Monday is in laundry or as the | first of every month is at a book 1 keepers desk. You can understand, perhaps, that this is the devils busy day; therefore be consent to make this deal with me- and you will ind that my master will cheerfully accept any contract may enter into us his agent and in his behalf"
 But no-Daniel would not agree to this< with the devil himself. and only the devil himself, would he treat So he bade Beelzobub go to tho devil aud make known his wishes. Beelzebub departed, much chagrined. Presently back came the devil--and surely it wds the devil this time there could be no mistake about it. for he wore n scarlet cloak aud had cloven feet and carried about with him as many sui locating smells us there arc kinds oi birthstone. sulphur. and asafetida
 The two talked over all Daniels miseries; the devil sympathized with 1 Daniel, and ever aud anon malodor . ous, gummy tear would trickle down the devils sinister nose and drop of I on the carpet
 What yea want Is money" said the devil. That will give you the comfort and the contentment you crave.,
 Yes" sad Daniel, it will give me every opportunity to do good"
 To do goodr' repeated the devil. To do good. indeed! Yes. it's many n good time we shall have together. friend Daniel, Ha, h.. har' And tho devil laughed uproariously. Nothing seemed more humorous than the pros pect of doing good" with the devils money But Daniel failed to see what the devil was So jolly abou. Daniel was not humorist; he was, as we have indicated. plain business man.
 It was finally agreed that Daniel should sell his soul to the devil upon condition that for the space oi twenty four years the devil should serve Daniel faithfully. should provide him with riches, and should do whatsoever he was commanded to do; then, at the end of the twenty-fourth year. Daniels soul was to pass into the possession of the devil and was to remain there forever. without recourse or benefit of clergy. Surely more horrible contract, was never entered into! l ''iou will have to sign your name to this contract" said the devil. produc- ing sheet of asbestos paper upon which all the terms of the diabolical treaty were sot forth exactly.
 Certainly" replied Daniel. Il have been a business man long enough 10 know the propriety and necessity oi written contracts. And as for you. 1 you must of course give a bond for the faithful execution Of your part Of this business"
 l That k something have never ! done before," suggested the devil.
 Il shall insist upon it" said Daniel, firmly. This is no affair Of sentiment, 1t Is strictly and coldly business are 10 do certain service and are to re- l ceive certain reward thereior---"
 ''ies, your soulH' cried the devil, gleefally rubbing his callous hands t,,- gether." Your soul in twenty -four 1 yearsr'