The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-02-17
FOUR RED DEVILS.
The Queer Story Of a Masquerade
Party--=An Odd Coincidence.

had seen nothing ana knew nothing but
that which could be seen and heard in
one of the very smallest of all country
villages. | had read enormously, for my
parents would rather have been without
bread than without books and magazines,
and were besides very comfortably well
off; but Of the festivities Of great cities,
the balls, operas, concerts and recep-
tons, I knew nothing by experience, and
of course I fancied them much more de-
ightful than they really were. What
was my joy, then, when Mr.. Maltby,
coming into the Office one day, placed a
handsome envelope before mel
my girls and boys are going to give a
masquerade party" lie said. "and they
want me to ask you. They expect to
have a jolly time, You'll rig upin some
thing you know-you a get it at a cos
tumers-and wear a mask until supper
time. You'll Gomez"
"Thank youi shall be delighted I
said, and all day long visions Of happi-
ness danced through my head, and I
could hardly wait for the closing of the
efiee, SO anxious was I to secure my cos
tune. For I had had brief notice; the
ball was to be that very night, and I
fancy it was only a good natured after
thought of Mr.. Maltby to ask .young
Fom,n as he always called me, having
known my father intimately as .'Tom"
at school.
The envelope was addressed to "Mr.
Thomas Parsons" in correct form of
course, and rather proud | was of it.
Later on i inclosed it in an envelope to
my mother, that she might see into what
elegant society her son had fallen, drop
ping it into a lamp post box on my way
to the costumer's.
/ had seen one, I remembered-a room
on the second floor over a hair dresser's
shop, The word 'scostumer'' was painted
on the long, narrow sign under the win
dows, and between them was a fanciful
figure in ballet costume holding a little
lace mask before her face-columbine of
the pantomimes perhaps.
I discovered the house again after
some little losing of myself in cross
streets, and, climbing the steps, enIered
a square room, where a man was stitch
ing on a sewing machine and four girls
we're working away O masses Of gauze
and silk as though they had no intention
of stopping that night.
A fat lady, who seemed to be the own
er of the place, advanced to meet me,
and listened to me with a solemn caun-
tenance.
"a masquerade ball." said she. Sat
an elegant housed Oh, TO be sure. You
must get yourself up wen for that, a
young gentleman like you. | wouldn't
advise you to hire a domino, I wouldn't.
It's very common, is adomino. A King
Charles would be elegant, but we haven't
one tonight. There is a Harry VIII,
but, bless you, it's too big-far too big
ssThere's the red devil, ma'am,a said
the man at the machine.
"There is, and a handsome devil, too,
if / say it that Designed tia handsome
devil. A club of four gents ordered
them, but only three came for them.
They said the other one was obliged to
leave the city, and the fourth is on my
hands. You can look at it. Looking
costs nothing, and it's a very handsome
devil indeed. Get it out, Mat, get it
out, and let the young gent look at it..
A red cloth costume, with a cloth tail,
horns and mask was produced. On it's
bosom was embroidered an ace of spades,
A black cloak belonged to it, and was
fastened ever the breast with a cord. 1t
struck me favorably.
Cost price you shall have it at, to get
your CUSTOM said the lady, eand
cheaper than hiring it, for you'll be
asked to a great many masquerades, no
doubt, and what could be more elegant?''
She seemed to know all about it; I
knew nothing. Ipaid her what I pre-
sumo was a fine price for the red devil
and carried it away with me, Shortly |
attired myself in the costume and sent
for a cab. was an object cf interest ia
the small boarding house where / dwelt.
and was admired and wondered at in the
front parlor to my hearts content.
"You'ye got stylish friends said
young Spruce, who VAS in a dry goods
store, sif you know the Maltbys. /
should go in for one of the girls if / were
you. They're pretty and will have lots
Of money. / wish ! had the chance you
have"
All this was Gathering; but time was
flying and the cab at the door. ! entered
it, and soon found myself in the Maltby
parlors.
MI. Maltby and wife were receiving
everybody.
ssfIow do you do, Mephistophelesss
Mr.. Maltby said. you'll find some
more of the family in there. Ha! ha!
ha! I'll lay a wager you are Captain
Jones"
Evidently he did not know me for
young Tom Parsons.
/ struttea in in as military a fashion
as possible, and made my way through
the crowd, admiring the kings and
queens, ~contadinas and court ladies',
Martha Washingtons and Spanish seno-
ras. until at last / espied 2 figure which
| at first fancied must he my OWN refec-
ton in looking glass. 1t was another
red devil, IN no particular different from
myself, except that an ace Of clubs was
embroidered upon his bosom where the
spade appeared on mine. As he came
near enough for me to notice this slight
difference the demon paused,
'sHow did you get hereg' he said, with
an oath that I had always been taught
to- consider as vulgar as it was profane.
.sI fLa1.rNt II vvaa oil mn with v0l3 He