Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-04-09
CHE Story Teller.
DEVIL AND SOLDIER.
A Tale Told In a Mexican
Market Place.

one OIL the InOSt Ndidhl III the Cdiil-
paign, found himself without knowl-
edge or means to gain livelihood, as
outside the business Of killing men he
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 so many times he
had exposed to death with boldest
temerity.
For some time he lived more or
aims than anything else. One day
when he was very tired from having
walked few leagues, he seated him.
self under the shade of some trees by
the roadside and in a trice was sleep
ing profoundly. Presently he was
awakened and raising his head he saw
before him a very grand parsonage.
Richly dressed indeed was he, with
cloak Of dark red silk and a great
sword at his belt; but he had a face
that inspired terror, with long and
pointed nose. The soldier understood
at once with whom he must deal; that
the stranger was no other than the
devil himself.
II know very we'll what you need, u
said the strange man.
THAT is easy-money, much mon
ey," exclaimed the soldier.
"You shall have all the money you
care for If you will do all tell you
But first I wish to be convinced that
you are not a coward"
Soldier and coward! You should
know that cannot be-"
1--WE shall see. Turn your head"
The soldier turned his head and saw
coming toward him a great bear, with
open mouth and the intention, with
out doubt, of devouring him. The SOL
dier aimed his gun, saying meanwhile:
at seems you like to snarl and
growl; 1 will relieve you Of the habit
by putting a bullet into your mouth. "
The gun was fired and as the SOL
dier had said the bullet entered by
the mouth, bringing the bear to the
ground.
II see you are very courageous u
said the devil. Now If you want to
be very rich you must do as I say"
II will, unless 1t 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 cut
your hair, nor your finger nails, nor
wear any 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 If you die before finish
ing the seven years your soul will go
to the internal regions"
"Acceptedw cried the valiant youth,
after rejecting a moment
The devil threw him the long man.
tie 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 dis
appeared.
The young soldier put on the cloak
the devil had given him and wished
to make the test at once. He ran his
hand into the pocket, and sure
enough took 1t out full of shining gold.
So, very happy, he set off to try his
luck, and enjoy without stint all that
can be acquired with money.
All went we'll 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, and he
had to pay we'll in gold for all he got.
Even so 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 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
the poorest, and the seventh year Of
his 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 wish
ing the end of the seven years would
come quickly, he heard the voice Of
a man going by complaining most sor-
rowfully. The soldier rose up and
went to the man, who upon catching
sight Of him started to run in alarm.
But the soldier spoke, saying:
wait, good man, l will do you no
harm, instead of that l may be able
to help you greatly"
Hearing the human voice Of what
he believed to be a bear, the man
stopped and spoke thus to him:
You must know, man, or whatever
you are, that L am poor Iatner OIL
three very beautiful daughters, and
that now, on account Of my fortune
being broken and lost, 1 see myself in
great need, so much so that my land
lord will eject me, for. 1 cannot pay
the rent; and 1 do not know where
to go with my three daughters. uni eSs
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 Affections"
said the soldier, they can be cou'tcd
as cured already. Take this"
And putting his hand into his pock-
ct he drew forth a handful Of gold.
which he threw at the mans feet.
The poor man was greatly astonish-
ed, and while gathering up the gold
besought his benefactor to accompa-
ny him to his house, where his three
daughters could see him, one of whom
although his face assuredly was not
very handsome, might marry him,