Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-09-11
TIE FOUR RED DEVILS

Nhen hfst came To the city and went !
into Mr.. Maltby's law office as a clerk | |
had seen nothing and knew nothing but
that which could Ike 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 withwit books and magazines,
and were besides very comfortably well
oil; but of the festivities of great cities,
the balls. operas, concerts and recep-
tions, | knew nothing by experience, and
OF course fancied them much more de-
lghtful 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
masquerade party" he said. ''and they
want me TO ask you They expect to
have jolly time. You'll rig up in some
thing you know-you can get it at a cos
tumers-and wear mask until supper
time You'll Gomez"
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 | to secure my cos
tune. For had had brief notice; the
ball was 10 be that very night, and
fancy it was only good natured after
thought of Mr.. Maltby to ask young
Tom. as he always called me, having
known my father intimately as ''Ton"
at school
The envelope was addressed to ''Mr.
Thomas Parsons" in correct form of
course, and rather proud was of it.
Later ON inclosed it i'm an envelope to
my mother that she might see into what
elegant society her son had fallen, drop
ping /. into lamp post box on my way
to the costumers
had seen one, | remembered-a room
on the second floor over hair dressers
shop The word ''eastumer" was painted
on the long, narrow sign under the win
dows. and between them was fanciful
figure in ballet costume holding little
lace mask before her face-columbine of
the pantomimes perhaps
discovered the house again after
some little losing Of myself in cross
streets, and, climbing the steps. entered
square room. where a man was stitch
ing on a sewing machine and four girls
were working away ON masses of Eauze
and silk as though they had no intention
of stopping that night
A TAT lady. who seemed to be the own.
er of the place, advanced TO meet me.
and listened To me with solemn coun
tenancc.
"A masquerade ball." said she "At
an elegant house; Oh, to be sure. You
must get yourself up well for thar, a
young gentleman like YOU | wouldn't
advise you 10 hire a domino, wouldn't
It's VERY common, is a domino. A King
Charles would b. elegant, but We haven't
one tonight There is a Harry VIII
but, bless you, it's too big-sfar too big"
There's the red devil. ma'am." said
the man at the machine.
There is. and a handsome devil, too,
II say it that designed it--a handsome
devil \ 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 il. Looking
costs nothing, and it's very handsome
devil indeed Get it out. Mat, get il
out. and LEI the young gent look at it.
red cloth costume, with cloth tail,
horns and mask was produced On its
bosom was embroidered an ace of spades.
black cloak belonged to il. and was
fastened over the breast with cord Ii
struck me favorably
Cost price YOU shall have it at. To get
your custom. said the lady, "and
cheaper than hiring IL. for you'll be
asked To a great many masquerades. nc
doubt, and what could be more elegant
She seemed 10 know all about it:
knew nothing. paid her what | pre-
sumo was fine price for the red devil
and carried it away with me. Shortly
attired myself in the costume and sent
for cab. ! was an object of interest ia
the small boarding house where dwelt
and was admired aud wondered at in the
front parlor to my hearts centent.
you've got stylish friends said
young Spruce. who was in dry good,
store, "if You know the Maltbys
should 20 IN for one Of the girls II wer,
you They're pretty and will have lou
of money | wish had the chance you
have"
All this was flattering, but time wa
flying and the cab at the door. entered
IL, and soon found myself in the Maliby
parlors.
Dir. Maltby and wife were receiving
everybody.
How do you do, Mephistophelesg
Mr.. Maltby said. you'll find som,
more of the family in there. Ha, ha
hal I'll lay wager you are Captain
Jones"
Evidently he did not know me 70
young Tom Parsons.
| strutted in in rs military n fashion
ms possible, and made my way through
the crowd, admiring the kings an,
queens, contadinas and court ladies
Martha Washingtons and Spanish seno
ras, until at last | espied figure whicl
at first fai.cied must be my own refiec
tion in a looking glass. 1t was anothe
red devil. i'll no particular different fron
myself. except that an ace of clubs wa
embroidered upon his bosom where tn
spade appeared ON mine. As he cam
near enough for me To notice this Eligh
difference the demon paused.
GLOW did you get here he said. wit
an oath that had always been taugl
20 consider as vulgar as it was protans
81 thought il was all up with you" ii
evidently took me for a friend, kne'
enough OF masquerade balls from litei
ary point Of view 10 feel that il was M