New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-06
TIE CHILD AND THE DEVIL.

$50 you're here again, are you?" said the
Devil
Yes" said the Child. Then moving her
crutch to her other side and wrigglng along
the seat x saved place 70. you in case you
came-spread my clothes out on purpose, so
did; and chuckling over the device the Devil
cat down.
He wasn't a real devil, OF course. People
only called him that because he was rich and
misery and had a clubfoot.
Said the Child turning him two grave
eyes, looking disproportonately large in her
small, pale face, You are kind to come again!
] told mother my Devil wasn't az black as he
was painted"
Her Devir' frowned.
Where did you hear that phrase he
growled suspicously.
"P'raps Mrs. Ryley-in our Buildings She
snuggled close. Her husbands Devil (only
IT'S Divil,' you know, in Irish. They're friends
Of mine; they live on the floor above. But
she shouts at him through the ceiling when he g
tired on Saturday nights"
The Devils tone acrid.
And is he q trine paler thar neighborly re-
port would paint him."
A glimmering Of his meaning shone in her
troubled eyes.
know your name. Mothe: and me is strangers
hereabouts"
She showed such fear Of wounding him. He
stroked her hair
Are strangers" ne corrected noddng and
3miling down
"Of course He isl am-YOu are. Mother s
always telling me-
Peace fell between them and with it, silence.
SAID the Child, speaking dreamily, with eyes
half cosed ''Nicknames are horrid! know it
OF myself
"How's that said the Devil, who seemed
pre"ccUpied.
THE boys sometimes our Buildings"
The thin checks flushed.
call you names do they" He tapped his
stick on the ground. What names
She did not answer
What Names" ne said again.
Just ricketts, sometimes, ard Timber Toes, >
and-and Cripple"
The last escaped with a sob. lie drew her
closer, muttering.
Presently. IN call you by your real name, If
you ike. she whispered. 81 was reading about
you in print this morning
H. seemed surprised.
ID! enough reading for a little maid he
SAID
lie was iHinki'S OF STOCKS ana Sndf's- 80 lIldt
The look on hey fac puzzled him. Sh" drew
down ms hand she held il in her own.
How it must have hurt you when you fell
from heaven" she cried. He gaped at the child
H. wonder When GOO vas angry, and he
Sasr you oui. When you got hurt" she added,
staum.rine sikh nervous haste, Il think y raps
7 .cli wicked ana got cast out too &C.. That's
Why my l"p's crooked and have to walk on
crutc.eS
With the point q! one she began tracing I'M
couth ag4res il tn gravel.
"Vou- vick.d,' sruhiy. Come. couldn't pe-
heve that
"Praps ! sWened inside like when the boys
shout out cripple; p'r.ps cod scoided and /
voice quivcr~d growing soft and tender: Maybe
GOD knowing We was fricnds-rast me out with
you 10 Keen vru company
The DOW with head aycrt'd. passed an arm
round on.. thin shoulder.
SAD the ruld. with solemn gan liked on The
leadrn sky
"D, you Nomcmber heaven? What it was
like. / mean
"Not clearly" erimly. Il didn't stay long
you see"
Neither did !. and was hitler than you.
But I've seen pictures OF IT, brighten
ing and Is awful wonderful" She leaned
back against him, her eyes upturned
Ills like III, sands at Margate. with tht sea