Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-03-28
THE FOUR RED DEVILS.

had seen nothing and knew nothing but
that which cuuld be seen and heard in
one Of he 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
of. but Of the festivities of great cities.
the balls, operas, concerts and recep-
lions, | knew nothing by experience. and
OF course ! fancicd them much more de.
lightful 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. he said, "and they
want me 70 ask YOU. They expect to
have a Jolly time. You'll rig up n some
ihing You know-yOu a get i- at a cos
tumer's-and wear "a mask until supper
time. You'll conner
THANK you. / shall be delighted" !
said. and all day long visions of happi-
ness danced through my head. and /
could hardly wait for the closing of the
Office. so anxious was I 60 secure my cos
tune. For had had brief notice; The
BAH was to be that very night. and |
fancy it was only a good natured after
thought Of Air. Maltby to ask young
Tom" as he always called me. having
known my father intimately as Tom
at school.
The envelope wal addressed to Mr..
Thomas Parsons" in correct form of
course, and rather proud / was Of it.
Later on l 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 ! reInembered-a room
on the second floor over q hair dresser
shop. The word ''costumer" was painted
on the long, narrow sign under the win
dows. and between them wa, a fanciful
figure in ballet costume holding "a little
lace mask before her face-columbine of
the %pantomimes perhaps.
l discovered the house again after
some little losing Of myself in cross
streets, and, climbing the steps. entered
a square room, where a man was stitch.
ing on Ii sewing machine and four girl
were working away on masses of gau-,
and sill as though they had no intention
Of stopping that night.
A fat lady. who seemed 10 be the own
err Of the place, advanced TO meet me
and listened to me with a solemn coun
tenance,
~ masquerade bah" said she. "A
an elegant house? Oh. to be sure. NoI
must get yourself up well for that,
young gentleman like you. wouldn'
advise you 10 hire a domino, l wouldn't
It's very common, is Ldomino. a KIM
Charles would be elegant, but we haven
one tonight. There is a Harry VIII
but, bless you, it's too big-far too big
There's the red devil. ma'am. sal,
the man at the machine.
''rhere il. and a handsome devil, too
ii say it that designed it-a handsom.
devil. A club of -four gents ordcre,
them. but only three came TO-, them
They said the other one was obliged t.
leave the city. and the fourth is on m,
hands. You can look ut it. Lookin,
costs nothing, and it's a very handsom
devil indeed. Get it out, Mat, get
out, and let the young gent look at it."
A rcd cloth costume, with n cloth tail
horns and mask was produced. On It
bosom was embroidered an ace of spades
A black cloak belonged TO it, and wa
fastened over the breast with u cord.
struck Inc favorably.
Cost price you shall have it at, to &c
your custom" said the lady, ian.
cheaper than hiring it, for you'll b
asked to a great many masquerades, n
doubt, and what could be more elegant?
She seemed to know all about it;
knew nothing. l paid her what l pr,
sumo Was a fine price for the red dev
and carried it away with me. Shortly
attired myself in the stu and sen
for a cab. was an object Of interest
the small boarding house where dwell
and was admired and wondered at in tn
front parlor to my hearts content
you've got stylish friends" sal
young Spruce. who was in a dry good
store, IF you know the Nlaltbys.
should go in for one Of the girls if / wer
you. They're pretty and will have lot
of money. | wish / had the chance 80
have"
All this was aattering; but time wa
flying and the cab at the door. / entere
il, and oon found myself in the Maltb
parlors.
NJ. Maltby and wife were receivin
everybody.
How 90 you do, Mephistophelesi
Mr.. Maltby said. You'll find som
more Of the family IN there. Hal h,
hal I'll lay a wager you are Captai
Jones'"
Evidently he did not know me 70
young Tom Parsons.
| suutted in in as military a fashio
as possible, and made my way throug
the crowd, admiring the kings an
queens. contadinas and court ladie.
Martha Washingtons and Spanish sen,
ras. until at last / cspied a figure whic
/ at first fancied must be my own rele,
ton in a looking glass. 1t was anoths
red devil. in no particular different froi
myself. except that an ace Of clubs ga
embroidered upon his bosom where til
spade appeared ~ mine. AS he carl
near enough for me 10 notice this sligl
difference the demon paused.
Chow did you get hereY' he said, wit
an oath that ! had always been taugl
TO consider as vulgar as it was profaul
81 Thought il was all IN with YOU" II