Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-04-21
FRosTBURG, Md, SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1900

er pass in America and drew little
black devils while he was waiting to
find out.
Among the many pleasing and heter-
odoX friends who visited the Icrtzers
was n newspaper man of a whimsical
turn of mind. He had been the rc.
cipiCnt on n certain occasion of Il pack
of playing cards in which each club.
spade. heart or diamond was repre-
sented by scarlet or black devils. and
the design upon the backs of the cards
was a writhing, twisting inferno of the
same grOtcsQue little creatures.
He looked at these long and apprc-
ciatively. did the newspaper man.. and
he was seized with an idea. This idea
was the outcome of his observations.
He had noticed that there was Il look
of extreme wcarinesS in the eyes of the
amiable Madam IIcrtZcr and that she
walked more slowly than she used. and
her selections at the piano. which had
once been noted for their length, were
now brief and lacking in spirit. In
short, the brave spirit of Madam IIert-
ger dropped under many burdens. So
the newspaper man entered upon the
making of n collection. aSSiStot by the
energetic and talented children of the
baron. Little black devils were gath
cred from every part of the house,
heads were torn from letters that the
fascinating impS might be preserved.
leaves were rent from books. and even
a pocket handkerchief done in pro
cessOn of dancing imps in indrlible ink
was taken in charge.
The practical friend sent these to
certain much illustrated comic weekly
and anXiously awaited the results. The
family WAS of the opinion that there
would he no results. The baron was in
n state of peaceful ignorance
But the results were almost dramat.
ic. The comic weekly was amused.
and 1t is not easy to amuSe a comic
weekly. 1t wanted a series. indefinite
ly continued. of little black devils illus.
trating current events.
The otIiciOus friend carried the good
news to Baron Won HertZer.
'Sir," Stormed the baron. you have
exceeded your privileges. You have
made me ridiculous. | am no clown to
flip and kick while the people laugh
VIII you have the great goodness to re-
call these personal possessions of mine
from the stranger to whom you have
cOntided thcm?'
The newspaper man was obdurate
"IOu will he distinguished in Il f"w
minutes" he said. I'm going to set
my alarm clock so | can wake up at
the proper moment and see the fun,
No. I'll not write for the imps. I've
already sold part of them The check
will reach YOU in few days. And You
must be about those illustrations of
current happenings. When they want
a thing on paper. they want it. They
don't care to wait"
Am | to be at the beck and call of
these men whom have never seem"
at is not necessary to see them in
order to be at their beck and call"
The baron considered all Americans
stupid but he regarded this one as
particularly so. especially when he
found that his family was leagued
with the prrvcrse man to insist upon
the making of the little devils Under
protest. and with frequent lamentings
that he would he made ridiculous. the
baron worked on. The first few days
were drudgcry, but the second week
saw him tolerant. the third week found
him interested and at the end of
month he was enthusiastic. The JOY
of work-indivitlual. creative work
was an emotion he had only just dis
covered. And when the monetary re-
suits became apprecable he grew al
most purse proud. He began to gather
ideas about the propriety of women
working and finally he commanded his
wife to cease her money earning. With
great show of wifely submission
Madam IlcrtZer obcyed. She rested at
last. after the days heat and burden.
and smiling German gentleman. lord
of his house and dictator over his do
minions, made adorable little black
devils in the solitude of his study.-EX.
change.