The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1911-05-24
Checkmating the Devil !;


spoon on the edge of a finger bowl. He
had finished his dinner and was smok-
ing his cigar His face was picture
of dependency A gentleman entered
the cafe, looked about for vacant
table and, seeing none, seated himself
at the one occupied by the melancholy
man. The stranger dined, rinsed his
lips and fingers, wiped them with his
napkin and lit cigar. The young man
still sat broOding.
pardon me-" said the stranger. you
seem distressed. Perhaps l may re-
'ieve YOU
There was a kindly, irresistible tone
stranger won the young mans conf
dence till at last he confessed that the
cause of his distress was love.
"Unrequitted asked the other.
"No; the girls ia her will not con-
sent"
That's bad, and she-will she not
marry you without his permissionT
mo"
"H'm," said the stranger. That's
doubly bad. 1t seems to me that your
only course is to convince the father
that
''Oh. no one can convince him of any
thing. l wish I was as certain of one
thing as he is of everything"
The stranger called for a bottle of
wine and invited his newly made ac-
quaintance to join him. The latter
produced a card with the name George
Winchell on it. The stranger glanced
at it, but, whether from inadvertence
or intention, failed to respond with his
own card.
When the bottle was empty Winchell
ordered a duplicate, and, his mind be-
ing on his Obdurate would be father
in-law and his tongue being loosened
by the wine, he told his companion
much about the old mans idiosyncra-
sizes. One feature seemed to interest
the stranger.
Hes got a picture hanging in his
library Of the devil playing chess with
young man for his soul. The devil
looks triumphantly at the young man,
on whose face is depicted despair. The
chessmen stand in such position that
no move can possibly save him from
checkmate."
How do you know thatT' asked the
stranger.
Because it is so. Mr.. Granger, the
man l am talking about, has had nu
merous experts to look at the picture,
and they all say the devil must win in
four moves. I've studied it out my
self with the same conclusion. Here
is the board" And, taking out an old
letter and a pencil, he laid down the
position Of the pieces.
The stranger looked at the diagram
thoughtfully for a few minutes.
"Well," asked the young man, don't
you see?'
YES, see," said the other.
81 told you the devil had him cor
nered"
"Just as the owner of the picture
has you cornered," replied the stranger,
with a smile. "And now l am going
to bid you good night. All the world
loves lover, and you may be assured
that / love you. l wish / could help
you in your affair. By the bye, could
you secure me look at the picture?"
Certainly"
George Winchell, having obtained
from his sweetheart the necessary per-
mission, called with his newly made
friend. They were ushered into the
library, and while there looking at the
picture its owner entered.
Are you sure" asked the stranger,
"that the young man is beaten" -
Perfectly" said Mr.. Granger.
81 doubt it,"
doubt it! Haven't had dozen or
more chess experts to make the matter
certain?'
81 am sorry to disagree with them"
do you mean to tell me- began
Mr.. Granger hotly. but the other inter-
posed softly:
Il can place the pieces as they are
placed in the picture and checkmate
the devil In five moves"
do it. Do it, l say. I'll give you
$4,000 if you do it in twenty moves"
pardon me- do not care to take
your money"
"Then what in"-
81 will tell you what I'll do. My
friend Mr.. Winehell seeks your consent
to union with your daughter. I'll
checkmate the devil in five moves for
that consent"
"He marry my daughter! Not If 1
know it" >
The stranger turned to leave.
Hold onr' roared the old man. Il
agree to your proposition, but when
you have failed I'll kick you out of the
house."
"Done," said the stranger.
A chessboard was produced and the
pieces placed upon 1t as in the picture.
"Will you play for the devilY' asked
the stranger of Mr.. Granger.
"With growl the owner Of the pic
ture sat In the required position. At
the moment Rose Granger, who had
been listening without, opened the door
and entered. The stranger sat in the
seat opposite the devil. The moves be-
gan. and In the promised number Of