Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-12
The Imp with the Red d-Rinmed Eyes
By HENRY HILLS
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tcopyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Col


 Copyright 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Col l NF all the unfortunate victims of pure, unadult erated hard luck I am the most shining example. Two short weeks ago l was contented, handsome, healthy young fellow in a fine business position earning good l salary and with almost a certainty of advancement to further responsibiH- ties; I was the favofite 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; I was engaged ] to the dearest and handsomest girl in l the world, who, beside charms such as I never beheld elsewhere, was an heir ess in her own right; had friends by the hundreds and enjoyed popularity given to but few men; the doors of the most exclusive society were cordially open to me; belonged to the best clubs, lived at the best hotel and alto- gether was a most happy and envied | young man.
 Now all is changed. am aconvict in 1 B common jail with injuries which will I leave me partially blind and perman- 1 ently disfigured. My reputation is 1 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. have been discharged 1 from my position with a degree of ig- nominy which precludes the possibil- i ity of obtaining any position of trust again. The newspapers are holding me up to the world as a warning and an example to other young men until my very name is stench in the nos trils of the community
 And all this happened to me without fault of mine through the queerest and most diabolica1 combination of circum- 1 stances, which no foresight or wisdom 1 could have overcome. And through the dark clouds of my bitter fate I see con tinually the blinking eyes and nalig- nant face and tousled red hair of the imp of ten who started it all. And he looks to my vision not a all a huma n, but vertically like very emissary of the evil one.
 am going to relate my brief but strange story in the hope that it will I fall into the hands of somebody who will believe it and help start me right again.
 Two weeks ago was sent by my em- ployer to neighbor:ng city (where I am now in durance) to transact some important business. It became neces- sary for me to look up an address and l I 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 a number of people in the office and re- marked that they appeared to be a pleasant and amiable company. I stepped to table upon which the city directory lay and began my search. Some impulse caused me to look up and right at my elbow stood the oldest looking being ever saw.
 He was about ten years of age, I 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- 1 pressionless. It might have belonged to a doll or a puppet but for the pale blue eyes which were round and full and seemed to be surrounded by 8 streak of red as though his lids were infamed and turned inside out. There was not suggestion of winker or lash and he bhnked continually. The ex- precision in the eyes was the most ma lignant 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 a tone that sug- gested chronic apprehension.
 'I don't remember seein' you about here before," he said.
 Ismiled and replied: "No, you never have. I have never been here before ?
 What right have you to look at the directory?" he returned. "That's for people who belong here.' IN
 "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 resumed "I thought night buy cigar and thus become customer of the house."
 "They don't sell cigars here!" "retort. ed the imp more shrilly than before. l