Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-07-19
DANIEL AND THE DEVIL.

labored long and diligently, said he to
himself, land although | am known
throughout the city aS an industrious
poor man, and shall probably continue
So-unieSs-"
Here Daniel stopped and shivcrcd. For
a week or more he had been broo ling
over his unhappy lot. There seemed to
be but one way out of his trouble. yet
his soul revolted from taking that step.
That was why he stopped and shivcrcd.
But, he argu 'd. Il must do some
thing! My niu" children are growing up
into big boys and girls. They must have
those advantages which my limited
means will not admit of. All my life
so far has been pure, circum ,prct and
rigid; poverty has at last broken my
spirit give up the fight am ready
to sell my soul to he devil :"
"The determination is a wise one, "
said a voice at Daniels elbow. Daniel
looked up and beheld a grim visaged
stranger in the chair beside him. The
stranger, arraycd all in black, exhaled
distinct odor of sulphur.
Am | to understand, asked the
stranger, that you are prepared to enter
into a league with the devil?"
"Yes. said Daniel, firmly; and he set
his teeth together after the fashion of
man who is not to be moved from his
purpose.
"Then am ready to treat with you.
Are you the devil:" asked Daniel.
l,,t I t<,n TO
contracts for him., explained the stran-
ger. My name is Beelzebub, and l am
my masters most trusted agent.
"Sir, said Daniel, you must pardon
me, for am loath to wound your feel
ings, but one of the rules governing my
career as a business man has been to
deal directly with principals, and never
to trust to the offices of middlemen. The
affair now i'll hand is one concerning the
devil and myself, and between us two
and by us two only can the preliminaries
be adjusted. "
"As it 50 happens, explained Beelze-
bub, this is Friday-commonly called
hangmans day and that is as busy
time i'll our particular locality as Mon
day is in laundry or as the first day of
the month is at a bookkeeper's desk.
You can understand, perhaps, that this
is the devils busy day; therefore be con-
tent to make this deal with me, and you
will find that my master will cheerfully
accept any contract | may enter into as
his agent and in his behalf"
But mcdaniel would not agree to
this; with the devil himself, and only the
devil himself, would he treat. So he
bade Beelzebub go to the devil and make
known his wishes Beelzebub departed
much chagrined. Presently back came
the devil-and surely it was the devil
this time-there could be no mistake
about it, for he Wore scarlet cloak and
had cloven feet and carried about with
him as many suffocating smells as there
are in a barrel of birthstone and assa-
fetida.
The two talked over all Daniels mis-
cries; the devil sympathized with Dan
iel and ever and anon "A malodorous,
gummy tear would trickle down the
devils sinister nose and drop off on the
carpet.
"What you want is money" said the
devil. THAT will give you the content
ment you crave"
"Yes, said Daniel, ut will give me
every opportunity to do good.
"To do good!" repeated the devil. "To
do good, indeed! Yes, it's many good
time we shall have together, friend Dan
iel. Ha! ha! hal" And the devil
laughed uproariously. Nothing seemed
more humorous than the prospect of
doing good with the devils money.
But Daniel failed to see what the devil
was so jolly about. Daniel was not a
hlmorist; he was, as we have indicated,
plain business man.
1t was finally agreed that Daniel
should sell his soul to the devil upon
condition that for the space of 24 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 "a years
Daniels soul was to pass into the posses
sion of the devil, and was to remain
there forever without recourse or benefit
of clergy. Surely more horrible con-
tract was never entered into.
you will have to sign your name to
this contract, said the devil, producing
a sheet of asbestos paper upon which all
the terms of the diabolical treaty were
set forth exactly.
"Certainly, " replied Daniel. 81 have
been business man long enough to
know the propriety and necessity of
written contracts. And as for you, you
must of course give a bond for the faith
full execution of your part of this busi-
ness.
THAT is something have never done
before.
Il shall insist upon it,, said Daniel,
firmly. This is no affair of sentiment;
ii is strictly and coldly business; you are
to do certain service, and are to receive
certain reward therefor"
"Yes, your soul, " cried the devil. rub
riH% Ii r"!'ous hands together. "Iour
>pui i lwrnjy-four years!
Yes. said Daniel. Nov, no con-
tract is good unless there is quid pro
'!uo.
THAT'S So" said the devil, $50 lets
cot a lawyer to draw up the paper for
uI' to 4Gn.
Why lawyer" queried Daniel. "A
contract is a simple instrument. |, aS ii
n.n!ing."
"B It prefer to have lawyer do it, ,"
urged the devil.
And / prefer to do it myself, y said
Daniel.