The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-10-08

| late, and Effie wrapped herself IN thick
! cloak and tied a little blue hood over
her head, and ran lightly down stairs
and down the street toward the
stationer's shop. However, when she
reached its door she found it closed.
The old woman who kept it had expected
no customers and had retired early.
Effie knew of another shop of the same
| sort few blocks further on which was
always open late, and turned her steps
that way-at least, she intended to do SO.
But there are still portions of Now York
city where it is very easy to lose ones
I self; and besides, Effie was not an old
resident Of that part of the town. Some
how she missed the right corner, crossed
! tho street at wrong angle, and shortly
1 discovered that she was lost.
1t was gloomy and unpleasant street
1 in which she found herself, and the girl
\ was somewhat frightened. However,
she decided that the best thing she could
do was to keep on walking until she
l came to decent shop or met police
man of whom she could ask the way.
She acted on this resolution with her
usual promptitude, but for a long while
she went on seeing nothing but liquor or
cigar shops and meeting not a solitary
guardian of the peace, and came at last
to an old building with blank wall, in
the center of which an arched gate stood
open.
Just as she stood opposite this gate
two drunken men came bowling down
the street, and in terror of them she
stepped beneath the arch. They passed
without seeing her; but before she dared
to venture out light shone in her face,
and, turning, she saw figure in black,
with red shoes, red cap, horns, hoofs,
long tail which he carried over his arm,
/ and in his hand great paper parcel-in
fact, Satan as we see him portrayed in
ancient pictures, acting for the nonce as
messenger-boy.
Startled beyond expression, Eifie was
about to fly, when the demon spoke.
| "Well, mamselle, I've been waiting
for you long while" was his character
istic remark. 81 came so far to save
time. Won't you get a roastingr"
Then he tossed the parcel into her
arms, turned and fed.
| lLlllC ucb ulSOs w ldb lllt uCllhDu
given her she did not know, but she
quite mechanically clutched it as she
few along the lonely street, and by mere
accident took the right direction and
found herself at the corner of an avenue
she knew. She arrived at her own door
Just in time at least, so her mother de-
clared-to save that lady going out of
hermind with terror. She had no paper,
but she had the parcel which the de-
moniac parsonage had crammed into her
hands to prove that she had not merely
imagined the meeting with him, and no W
she unfastened the many pins that held
it, unfolded the paper and sundry muslin
wrappings within, and behold-a dress
the loveliest ball costume of golden
satin and black lace that could be i'm
agined!
The demon had presented ner with a
dress in which to attend the ball.
''What does it meant" she CALCULATED.
"Really l feel as if was out of my
mind"
'It must be providential," said the
mother. "Try it on, my dear"
Efie obeyed. The costume fitted her
perfectly.
''You look like an ANGEL" said the
mother.
'But the demon said should have q
good roasting" said Efie.
at was only man in some queer
! dress, said the mother.
"Of course" said Ellie. "At least,
suppose So"
"Aud now you can go to the ball,
said the mother.
, ''Shall dare2 Will | not find my
} costume vanishing, like poor Cinderella's
2 in the midst of my dance, with whateve
a stands for the young prince at the officers
o ball of the regiments ! doubt if it will
be here in the morning; besides, 1 ough
4 to advertise 1t IF the iiend who presented
I young lady with black lace ball-dress
Y in dark alley on the night Of the -th
+ will kindly call, or something of tn
r sort"
A ooh, we will look into the papers, o.
| course" said the mother. "But dom
y believe we will find anything-fate in
c tends you to go the ball"
So it seemed indeed.
" 11lllt hNhh W lht boii1 duh biNo
. was pronounced charming. In passing
' will mention to the reader that 1t wa
c there that she met the gentleman who af
terward became her husband, and tina
, much happened and all good fortun,
c came to her through the demons gift o
| the all-dress.
No one ever advertised for the dress
i and it hung in Efiie's wardrobe until he
e wedding-day. She never wore it again
Il aud never expected to solve the myster
\ that surrounded it.
o Effie had married a rich man and live
in very elegant style, and man servan
~ was one of the necessaries of the house
a hold. Mrs. Ackland-who lived witt
o her daughter-suggested Frenchman
I and having advertised for such person
y a candidate presented himself He ha,
i, but one reference, but that was a goo,
J. one.
J. 81 will tell you the reason have NJ
It more, madame" said he. 81 have ha'
e my ambitions desired to go upon tn
stage. even obtained a position
e played a demon in the last act Of a grea
n spectacle at the - Theater. Their
# were seventy-fve demons-it was glori
It Gus. But alas l got into difiicultie