The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-07-09
The Imp with the
Red-Rinned Eyes
By HENRY HILLS
Copyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

nF all the unfortunate victims of
pure, unadulterated hard luck l
am the most shining example. Two
short weeks ago l was contented,
handsome, healthy young fellow in a
fine business position earning a good
salary and with almost certainty of
advancement to further responsible
ties; l was the favorite nephew of a
fabulously rich uncle and had been in
formed that the bulk of his property
would come to me when he was
through with it, and this promised to
happen at any moment owing to his
apoplectic tendencies; was engaged
to-the dearest and handsomest girl in
the world, who, beside charms such as
never beheld elsewhere, was an heir
ess in her own right; l had friends by
the hundreds and enjoyed popula rity
given to but few men; the doors ofthe
most exclusive society were cordially
open to me; belonged to the best
clubs, lived at the best hotel and alto
gether was most happy and envied
young man.
Now all is changed. lam convict in
4 common Jail with injuries which will
leave me partially blind and perman-
emily disfgured. My reputation is
hopelessly ruined. My uncle has dis
inherited me. My beloved girl has sew
cred all relations with me and threat.
ems to set the dog on me if I ever come
near her home l have been discharged
from my position with degree of ig.
nominy which precludes the possibil.
ity of obtaining any position of trust
again. The newspapers are holding
me mp to the world as warning and
an example to other young men until
my very name is stencil in the nos
trils of the community.
And all this happened to me without
fault of mine through the queerest and
most diabolical combination of circum-
stances, which no foresight or wisdom
could have overcome. And through the
dark clouds of my bitter fate see con-
tinually the blinking eyes and malig-
nant face and tousled red hair of the
imp of ten who started it all. And he
looks to my vision not at all human
but veritably like very emissary OF
the evil one.
! am going to relate my brief but
strange story in the hope that it will
fall into the hands of somebody who
will believe it and help start me right
again.
Two weeks ago was sent by my EN-.
ployer to neighboring city (where
am now in durance) to transact some
important business. 1t became neces.
fary for me to look up an address and
| stepped into what appeared to be q
hotel of about the second or third
class, which l happened to be passing
to consult directory. There were a
number of people in the office and re-
marked that they appeared to be a
pleasant and amiable company.
stepped to table upon which the city
directory lay-and began my search
Some impulse caused me to look ut
and right at my elbow stood the oddes1
looking being l ever saw.
He was about ten years of age,
Judge, and small tor his age. But hi.
race might have belonged to an adult
he was leaning with both elbows on
the table, his chin propped in his hands
His face was perfectly round and ex
pressionless. 1t might have belonged
to doll or puppet but for the pal.
blue eyes which were round and full
and seemed to be surrounded by s
streak of red as though his lids were
Unnamed and turned inside ont. There
was not suggestion of winl,er or la 81
and he blinked continually. The ex
preston in the eyes was the most ma
hgnant have ever seen He was freck
leo and his hair was thin and red. Whe,
looked up he spoke in sllrill, high
Keyed voice which had tone that sug
geSted chronic apprehension.