Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-11-06
OIABLO AND Slider
One of the Many Tales Told in
a Mexican Market
Place.
BY J. S. M'GRATH.

until the next war, because In time OF
peace their services we're not needed.
One Bauth especially, who had been
one Of the most valiant In the cam
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 risked in battle with boldest
temerity.
For some time he lived more on
aims than anything else. One day
when he was very tired from having
walked not few leagues he seated
himself under the shade Of some trees
by the roadside and In trice was
sleeping profoundly. Presently he was
awakened and raising his head he saw
before him very grand parsonage.
Richly dressed indeed was he, with
cloak of dark red silk and a great
sword at his belt; but he had face
that inspired terror, with a long and
pointed nose. The soldier understood
at once with whom 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
D1pnav tha ,oldiar
You shall have all the money you
care for II you will do all ] tell you.
But first | wish to be convinced you
are not coward"
Soldier and coward! You should
know that cannot be-"
We shall see. Turn your head"
The soldier turdned his head and
saw coming toward him a great bear,
with open mouth and the intention,
without doubt, of devouring him. The
soldier aimed his gun, saying mean.
while:
1T seems you like to snarl and
growl; ! will relieve you OF the habit
by putting a bullet into your mouth.
The gun was fred. and as the sol
dier had said, the bullet entered by the
mouth, bringing the bear to the
ground.
i see you are very courageous" said
the devil Now II you want to be very
Hch you must do as say"
Il will. unless II 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 GU
your hair, nor your finger nails, moi
wear any other clothes, nor cloak thar
this OF mine which shall give you. |
you do these things. when the sever
years are completed you will remaiI
entirely free and rich-rich as tn,
richest. But II you die before fnishinJ
the seven years your soul will 70 L
the Internal regions"
Accepted" cried the valiant youth
after rejecting n moment.
The devil threw him the long man
w NOitt
Always when in need OF money yo,
Will have no more TO do than to pu
your hand into your pocket and yo,
Will take out all the gold money yo
want"
And without another word he disaE
peared.
The young soldier put on the cloa
the devil had given him and wished {,
make the test at once lie ran his han
into the pocket, and sure enough too
It out full OF shining gold
So. very happy. he set OF to try hi
luck and enjoy without stint all tina
can be acquired with money.
All went well during the first yea,
for although he did not wash hImsel
nor cut his hair nor his nails he dI
not yet inspire great repugnance. nu
when the time had about half passe
his face had become more like that Q
a wild beast than Of man. and he ha
10 pay well In gold for all he got. Eve
80 the day came when no one youl
shelter him, he was so III looking.
With his long hair. the face OF III
poor soldier was taking the look OF
Wild animal, and his nails resemble
the claws OF tiger; his clothes wer
torn and dirty. More than once he ha
TO sleep out Of doors because no on
would rent him lodgings. not even III
poorest. and the seventh year OF hI
promise had not arrived.
One day when the poor soldier wa
half sitting. half lying on the gras
under some bushes In the countr,
pondering over his condition and wisl
Ing the end OF the seven years woul
come quickly. he heard the voice OF
man. II was the devil who approache
and said.
You have won. You we're courag,
Gus. Free you are and free you r,
main forever. and forever rich" An
then he planned TO disappear, bu
the soldier called TO him:
Hear me. Senor Diablo. Il falls [
thee TO rid me OF all this load | bea
and leave mo clean as was seve
years past"
There was no way out OF II, the dey
had 10 obey. and In the twinkle OF a
eye left the soldier as handsome Q
before. and even handsomer, aft,
which he disappeared. grumbllng IN
muttering TO himself.
The happy soldier hastened to u