The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-12
with the sum given to him, he, bought a

this soul, which he had believed was his
own, saved by the prayers of the poor
and of the church, and he determined to
revenge himself upon John.
A little imp, very shrewd and very
cunning, promised to bring the guilty
one to him, and one morning he started
out and found the soldier sitting tram
gully in his garden.
"Good morning, soldier John, he said.
"Good morning, my little man. You
are very plain, upon my word. 1t real
ly makes me laugh to look at you. Will
you smoker"
'No / do not smoke"
"Have a glass Of wine then"
"No, I do not drink"
"What have you come here for, theli?'
''T'o take you away with me-"
"AH right, l will make no objection to
that. / have not served for four and
twenty years to retreat before an enemy
as small as you are. John, the soldier,
fear nothing. But for the long journey
on which you propose to take me, l must
purchase some provisions. While I go
to seek them amuse yourself by climbing
up into that apple tree and picking some
of the beautiful fruit"
The imp, who was a little gourmand,
fastened to profit by this invitation.
John presently returned holding in his
hand his instrument of safety, and cried:
Unto my bag!"
Howling and making frightful contor-
tons, the little imp was forced to enter
the terrible bag.
John took an iron bar and began pound
ing the captive, and did not leave off
until he had broken every bone in his
body. Then he let him go.
The evil one was in a frightful rage
when hesaw the condition of his faverite.
"By the horns of the MOON" he cried,
"this proud soldier shall pay for all this.
I will go and get him myself"
John, who expected this visit, stood at
the door of his house with his bag in his
hand, and as o as he saw the evil one
appear he said quietly to him;
''You know that / fear nothing"
"We will see about that" replied the
evil one, advancing toward him with
great flames flashing from his eyes.
Unto the bagl" cried John.
The evil one vainly attempted to es-
cape. He fought and struggled. 1t was
of no use. Into the bag he had to go.
John took a heavy hammer and struck
him with all his force, and kept beating
until his captive was as thin as a sheet of
paper.
When he was worn out by fatigue he
said:
'sThere, that will do for today; but
recollect, if you even dare to return, as
surely as | served the king for twenty
four years for a pound Of bread and six
pennies, I will tear off your tail, your
horns and your claws, and we will then
see whether I am afraid of you or not"
When the inhabitants of the evil re-
gions saw their chief return in this pitt
able condition they set up a howl of
rage.
"What is to be done?" they cried.
FWe must have locksmiths come" re-
piled the evil one, land put locks on all
our doors, and masons to brick up all
the openings, SO that this abominable
John a never get in here"
John had no desire to go in that direc-
ton. When he felt that his time had
come he took his sack in his hand and
walked to the gates of paradise.
At the entrance stood a guardian an
gel.
"Where are you going, friend?" asked
the angel.
"You shall see," replied the soldier,
quietly. "Let me enter"
"Not every one who wishes can enter
here. Let me see what are your
merits"
81 served the king twenty-four years
for a pound of bread and six pennies.
Is not that a sufficiently good action:
What do you think"
"Ahi that is not sufficient"
"Ah! that is not sufficient? We will
see."
AS he spoke the old soldier advanced
resolutely.
The angel stopped him.
"Into my bag!" cried John.
sob! john" said the guardian OF
paradise, ''think of the respect you owe
me-"
"Tnto my bag" repeated John.
"Think," continued the angel, ''the
gates of paradise are open, and there is
no one to guard them, and every one
can enter."
"That is precisely what I desire" re-
piled the soldier, entering with head
erect. "Do you think that an old sol
der, who for a pound of bread and six
pennies served the king t~wenty-four
years, does not deserve a place bere?'
FOR-@