The sun., 1907-03-31
TEE DEVIL AND TEE SOLDIER.
a raj, ra,s On a N.pscsn MARKET Place.

cause in time OF peace their services were
not needed.
One Bauth especially, who had been
ono Of the most valiant in the campaign
found himself without knowledge or means
to gain livelihood, as outside the business
of killing men ne had learned to do nothing
He took his gun, then his only possession
and started out seeking some way to pre-
serve the life which 90 many times he had
exposed to death with boldest temerity'
For some time he lived more on aims
than anything else. One day when ne
was very tired from having walked not
a few leagues he seated himself under
the shade Of some trees by the ROADSIDE
and In a trice was sleeping profoundly
Presently he was awakened and raising ms
head he saw before him very grand per-
sona@e.
Richly dreased indeed was he. with
cloak OF dark red silk and q great sworo
As his belt; but he had face that inspired
terror, with long and pointed nose. me
soldier understood at once with wnom
he must deal; that the stranger was no other
than the Devil himself.
Il know very well what you need SAID
the strange man.
-That is easy-money. much money,
exclaimed the soldier.
sYou shall have all the money you care
for II YOU will do all I tell you. But first l
wish to be convinced you are not coward
Soldier and cowardl You should know
that cannot be-
I'VE shall SEQ. Turn your head.
The soldier turned his head and saw COM
ing toward him a great bear, with open
mouth and the intention, without doubt
of devouring him. The soldier aimed MS
gun, saying meanwhile
SIt seems YOU like to snarl and growl;
will relieve you Of the habit by putting
bullet into your mouth
The gun was fred, and as the soldier had
said the bullet entered by the mouth, bring
ing the bear to the ground.
Il see you are very courageous SAID
the Devil. Nov il you want to be very
rich you must do as say
Il will, unless il be to sell you my soul,
replied the soldier.
THAT will depend upon yourself. Listen.
During the next seven years you must not
bathe yourself, nor out your hair, nor your
finger nails, nor wear any other clothes,
nor cloak than this Of mine which shall
give you. II you do these things, when
the seven years are completed you Will
remain entirely free and rich-rich as the
richest. But II you die before finishing
the seven years your soul will go to the
Internal regions"
Accepted" cried the valiant youth,
after rejecting a moment.
The Devil threw him the long mantle
which he wore, saying:
Always when in need of money you will
have no more to do than to put your hand
into your pocket and you will take out all
the gold money you want
And without another word he disap-
peared.
The young soldier put on the cloak the
Devil had given him and wished to make
the test at onoe. He ran his hand into the
pocket, and sure enough took it out full
of shining gold.
So, very happy. he set OF to try his luck
and enjoy without stint all that can be
acquired with money.
All went well during the first year, for
although he did not wash himself nor cut
his hair nor his nails he did not yet inspire
great repugnance But when the time had
about half passed his face had become
more like that Of a wild beast than Of a
man. ana no uAu 10 pay Wci III BOOA BOlO
for oil he got, Even 50 the day came when
no one would shelter him, he was so Ill look
ing.
With his long hair, the face Of the poor
soldier was taking the look Of a wild animal
and his nails resembled the claws Of a tiger;
his clothes were torn and dirty. More than
once he had to sleep out Of doors because
no one would rent him lodgings, not even
~ - r.
promise had not arrived.
One day when the poor soldier was half
sitting. half lying on the grass under some
bushes in the country. pondering over his
condition and wishing the end Of the seven
years would come quickly, he heard the
voice Of a man going by complaining most
sorrowfully. The soldier rose UP and went
TO the man. who upon catching sight Of him
started 70 run In alarm. But the soldier
spoke, saying:
wait, good man. will do you no harm,
instead Of that I may be able TO help you
greatly
Hearing the human voice Of what he be-
lieved TO be a bear the man stopped and
spoke thus TO him:
"You must know, man, OF whatever you
are. that am q poor father of three very
beautiful daughters, and that now, on ac-
count Of my fortune being broken and
lost, see myself In great need. 30 much
so that my landlord will ejeot me, for 1
cannot pay the rent; and do not know
where to 60 with my three daughters,
unless It be head first against some great
stone. that cannot be harder than are the
hearts Of certain men with whom have
TO DEAL
IF these are your only afiictions. said
the soldier, they oan be counted as cured
already. Take this
And putting his hand into his pocket he
drew forth a handful OF gold. which he
threw at the mans feet.
The poor man was greatly astonished,
and while gathering up the gold besouRht
his benefactor 10 accompany him to his
house, where his three daughters could zee
him. one Of whom, although his faoe as
sursdly was not very handsome. might
marry him. only knowing what he had done
for her father.
When they appeared all three sisters
were equally, and that not little. terrified
at the frtghtful face OF the poor soldier.
The oldest said she would not marry such
ferooious looking beast. The second
said the same thing The youngest spoke
after thin manner: