Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-20

nav" WIG sutiy teceptiou IN store Tor
him.
Jack had . wife, more's the pity! and the
poor soul had nothing to sweeten life's hard
crusts No neighbor cared to cross her hus-
bands inhospitable doorsill, and if they met
him on the road they turned their eyes another
tation.
Once, 1t was fair day, and Jack had been de-
tanned in the village until late. His heart sank
in him as he thought of the lonely wood through
which he would have to pass to reach the ford
The night was dark, and dread tales of murder
andesil spirits came to his mind. But his fear
was not as strong as his greed, and he decided
to press on rather than spend his silver for a
nights lodging; for well he knew. no one. for
friendships sake, would give him q shelter for
the night So he rode boldly of.
Lower and lower sank his spirits and darker
and darker grew the path as he neared the
fatal spot. Half dead with fright. his teeth
chattering and his breath coming in short
Sasps, he entered the wood. Suddenly he
heard groan again and again he heard it:
the blood almost froze in Jacks veins and his
scanty hairs stood on end with horror. He
tried to push on, but the means still rang in
ms ears and not knowing why he stopped and
began searching for the cause of them.
JACK WAS NO cowABD.
Jack was no coward no matter what other
bad qualities he possessed. He was not afraid of
anything when he was cornered, so be it spirit
or devil he determined to investigate. Sum-
monlng all his courage he asked: "Who and
what are You that makes these unearthly
mOans?'
just then he saw, extended at his feet Cfor he
had dlsmounted from his horse). an old gray
haired man, his clothes thin and ragged. who
cried: For the love Of heaven take me to
some human habitation; have lost my way,
cannot cross the ford, and am dying Of hunger
and cold"
Sorna,b;,, ,r;tl,;, r.., .o,- -:
that had never moved him before in all his life
induced him to wrap the poor, shivering old
man In his own heavy coat, place him on his
horse and carry him to his own home Jacks
wife started back in surprise when she saw the
burden he carried into the house, and she was
quite sure he had gone crazy or been bewitched
when he ordered a bed to be made for the fee
ole stranger, and the best the poor cottage af-
forded to be set before him. The stranger was
warmed. cheered, comforted and put to bed
and was soon asleep. Jack hardly knew him.
self In this new role, but something had I'M
PEELED him that he could not disobey; he needs
must do that and nothing else.
JACKS THREE wIsHEs
jack, on awaking next morning, was dazzled
BY the brilliant light that shone around the
room tno one had q separate bed room at
JACKIE cottsge). and when his eyes had become
accustomed to the wondrous light he saw a
beauteous vision; an angel, clothed in white.
with snow white wings gazing at him.
Mortal, said the angel, Il am one of the
spirits commissioned to watch over the sons of
Adam l heard thy neighbors say not one
spark Of human kindness dwelt in thy stone
cold heart; not grain of compassion; but they
were mistaken little grain lay hidden un-
used in thy heart. To try thee took the form
OF a feeble old man. am thy stranger guest,
whom thou hast housed. warmed and fed.
have shared thy hearth; for this thy kindness
my blessing shall rest upon thy home, and
viii grant tho three wishes. Weigh we'll what
thou asketh ~
Il should like" said Jack after some refec-
ton. that whoever shall sit in nv especial
chair shall never be able to lift the chair from
its place nor get out of it until allow him. 1
would have the hand that touches ANYTHING in
my tool box on the wall Qor Jack was a cobbler)
unable to move the box or take the hand out
until give permission. Lastly, would have
whoever plucks a branch from the sycamore
before my door unable to let go his hold until
say SO. People take my avis and pluck NV
tree and will not have it,
The angel looked at Jack with sorrowful ewes
and grieved expression MS he finished his
wishes: but he granted them and departed.
Foolish man t. ask such paltry things when
so much was within his grasp. From that mo-
ment Jack wasexcluded from heaven, for he
had eternal blessedness for the asking, but asked
it not
The angels blessing rested on Jacks house,
hold, everything prospered with him and his
children, but no one loved him, no one ever
cared for him.
THE FIRST DEMON.
Years after, perhaps fifteen or twenty. he
was resting in his easy chair with his pine.
when suddenly he perceived a strong. dis.
agreeable odor, something like birthstone. He
looked up. much surprised, aud his ewes
lighted on demon standing In the doorway. a
tall, dark being, graced with two horns, cloyen
feet and long tail, which he carried gracefully
under his arm-so the legend says
JACK quaked with fright, but, putting q bold
face on, as he usually did when driven to the
wall. politely asked him what he wanted.
''You," said the demon; my master sent me
to conduct you to him, and he will give you a
warm Welcome"
..All right" said Jack, "rising from his chair
and politely motioning to the demon; ..pray be
seated; you must be weary after YOUR long
journey Rest yourself while put on INV san.
day clothes, for never could appear before
his satanic majesty in these old duds. 1 will be
wild ye in jify."
The. demon seated himself comfortably in
the chair, Tor it was soft and easy. Jack inn
mediately took new fail that stood in the
corner and whaled the poor demon within an
inch OF his life. In vain be shrieked for mercy
howled, begged and prayed. he could not move
the chair nor get up from it. Unfortunate
demon that he was! Jack laid it on with right
good will. .'Yc cam to take me wild We to your
hot hole. did yez2 I'll tache ye to come after a
dace mt jintlemanr' (Jack's brogue was very
broad when he was excited.)
Jack never stopped until the fail lay in
splinters and his arms ached with the exertion.
Then, making the demon promise never to
come for him again. be let him 60, and gladly
he went hmping Of, vowing vengeance ON
Jacks head.
THE SECOND mrs VISIT.
Again Satan, very wroth at the failure and
treatment OF his messenger, sent . second to
summon Jack before his tribunal, with an i'm
perative order to come forthwith or it would
be worse for him. He babe the demon 90
without delay, tarry for nothing and not sit
down in Jacks house or be beguiled by Jacks
Establishments. Again Jack met his demon
ship politely and asked him 10 be seated The
demon answered gruffiy:
mot I; I will not sit down in your house; I
will stand. don't want all my bones broken
q the other messenger was fool enough to let
his be. But come, come! my master babe You
not delay; so como right along!"
IAN right" said Jack, "but the way il long
and the stones big and hot and my broRan has
hole in II, % Just let me put Q stitch in IL
II you viii hand me that awl from the box on
the wall I will be ready in the twinkling Of an
eyelash."
The demon, delighted With having 10 Httls
trouble in getting the refractory Jack TO 20
With him and thinking how he would crow over
hi fsllow-demon's discontinue, stepped 70 the
boz and eeixed an awl, when 10! he could not
get his hand free, pull and tug a. he mieht
nor could he pull the box from the wall