River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-06-11
The Imp with the
Red-:Rimned Eyes
By HENRY HILLS
Copyright. 1903. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

Copyright. 1903. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
OF all the unfortunate victims of
pure, unauthorized hard luck /
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 a certainty of
advancement to further responsible
ties; / 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
j never beheld elsewhere, was an heir
ess in her own right; | had friends by
the hundreds and enjoyed popularity
given 10 but few men; the doors Of the
most exclusive society were cordially
open to me; / belonged 10 the best
clubs, lived at the best hotel and alto
gether was a most happy and envled
young man.
Now all is changed. am a convict in
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 ever come
near her home l have been discharged
from my position with degree of ig-
nominy which precludes the POSSIBLE
ity Of obtaining any position of trust
again. The newspapers are holding
me up to the world as warning and
an example to other young men until
my very name is a 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 a human,
but vertically 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-
sary for me to look up a n address and
/ stepped into what appeared to be a
hotel of about the second or third
class. which / happened to be passing.
to consult directory. There were
number of people in the office and re-
marked that they appeared to be
pleasant and amia BILE company. I
stepped to table upon which the city
directory lay and began my search.
Some impulse caused me to look up
and right al my elbow stood the oldest
looking being I ever saw.
He was about ten years of age, [
Judge, and small for his age. But his
face 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 a doll or puppet but for the pale
blue eyes which were round and full
and seemed to be surrounded by q
streak of red as though his lids were
SD 40 o116 411,.raJ
was not suggestion of winker or lash
and he blinked continually. The ex
preston in the eyes was the most ma
lignant l have ever seen. He was freck
led and his hair was thin and red. When
I looked up he spoke in shrill, high
keyed voice which had tone that sug
gested chronic apprehension
81 don't remember seem YOU about
here BEFORE" he said.
l smiled and replied: NO, you never
have. l have never been here before"
what right have You to look at the
directory" he returned That's for
people who belong here"
'Oh, presumed on the courtesy Of
the house. / replied. good-naturedly,
and glanced about the room. Every
body was smiling and evidently enjoy
ing the episode. Besides I resumed
Il thought might buy cigar and thus
become customer of the house,
They don't sell cigars here!" retort.
ed the imp more shrilly than before.
Moved by spirit OF banter I said:
II had intended to give you ten cents
for your savings bank. but since you
seem so cross 1 guess I'll keep it for a
good-natured boy'I know"
Ak expression of the utmost malevo-
lence distorted the features of the imp
an expression beside which his for
mer appearance was angelic by con-
trast. In disgust turned TO the direc-
tory. Finding the address 1 sought I
turned to pick up my hat. which had
laid aside when l entered. and depart.
Ny hat was not there. / turned sharp
~ to the imp. There he stood gazing
at me with queer expression of min
sied malice and apprehension. was
thoroughly provoked.