The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-02
ABAFT THE FUNNEL By Rudyard Kpir

two companies Of the Black Tyrone
and two Of the Old Regiment"
II am proud" began.
eco SLOW" said the Devil. You
won't be half so proud In a little
while, and don't think much Of your
regiments anyway. But they are good
enough to fight the French. Can you
hear Coupeau raving in the left angle
OF the square? He used to run about
the hall seeing pink snakes till the
children's story book characters pro-
tested. Come along!"
Never since Caxton pulled his first
proof and made for the world a new
and most terrible god Of labor had
mortal man such an experience as
mine when followed the Devil of Dis
content through the shifting crowds
below the motto Of the dome. A few
a very few-of the faces were Of old
friends, but there were thousands
whom I did not recognize. Men in
every conceivable attire and of every
possible nationality, deformed by in
tention or the impotence Of creation
that could not create-blind. unclean.
heroic, mad. sinking under the weight
of remorse or with eyes made splendid
by the light Of love and fixed en-
deavor; women fashioned in ignorance
and mourning the errors Of their cree
ator, life and thought at variance with
body and soul: perfect women such
as walk rarely upon this earth. and
horrors that were women only because
they had not sufficient self-control to
be fends; little children. fair as the
incoming, who put their hands into
,,,tp nd 10 rnnfi-
dences: loathsome, lank haired infant
saints, curious as to the welfare OF
my soul. and delightfully."- mischicvous
boys generated by the irrepressible
Tom Sawyer. who played among MUIR
derers, harlots. professional beauties,
nuns Italian bandits and politicians
Of state.
The ordered peace Of Arthur's court
was broken up by the incursions OF
John Wellington Wells. and Dagonet.
the jester. found that his antics drew
no attention so long as the dealer
in magic and spells" taking iris
trans harp, sang patter songs to the
Round Table; while n Zulu lmpi.
headed by Allan Quatermain, wheeled
and shouted in sham fight for the
pleasure of Little Lord Fauntleroy.
every tspt was
jumbled in the confusion Of one colos-
sal fancy ball where all the characters
were living their parts.
AYE. look long" said the Devil
You will never be able to describe
it. and the next time you come you
won't have the chance. Look long,
and look at"-Good's passing with a
maiden OF the Zu-Vend. must have
I,z,r
legs l looked and for the second
time noticed the lameness that seemed
to be almost universal in the Limbo
Of Lost Endeavor. Brave men and
stalwart to all appearance had one
leg shorter than the other; some paced
few inches above the floor, never
touching It. and others found the
greatest difficulty in preserving their
feet at all. The stiffness and labored
gait Of these thousands was p!t.ful
10 witness. l was sorry for them.
! tod the Devil as much.
III M" said he refiectively. chats
the worlds work. Rather cockeye.
amt it? They do everything but
stand on their feet. You could i'm
prove them. l suppose There was
an unpleasant sneer in his tone and
FASTENED TO change the subject.
I'm tired of walking" l said. Il
want 10 see some of my own char
acters. and go on to the master. who
ever he may be. afterward."
Reflect" said the Devil. Are you
certain-do you know how many they
be-"
"No-but l want to see them.
That's what l came for"
Very we'll Don't abuse me If you
don't like the view. There are one and
fifty Of your make up to date. and
it's rather an appalling thing to be con-
fronted with tifty-one children. How
ever. here's a special favorite of yours
Go and shake hands with herr"
A imp join,ed. staring eyed dol
was hirpling toward me with a straine
smile of recognition. ! felt that
knew her only too well-if indeed sh,
were she. Keep her of, Devil"
cried. stepping back. Il never mad,
that" she began to weep ard sh,
began to cry. Lord ha mercy on me
this is none Of L. You're very rud,
to Mrs. Hauksbee and she wants L
speak to you" said the Devil. Ny
face must have betrayed my dismay
for the Devil went on soothInSly
That's as she is, remember. ! knew
you wouldn't like it. Now what WI
you give II l make her as she ouGh
to be? No. don't want your soul
thanks. l have it already. and man!
others of better quality. VIII You
when you write your story own tina
! am the best and greatest of all tn
devils?' The doll was creeping nearer
Yes" l said hurriedy. Anything
you like. only l can't stand her il
that state
You'll have to when you come mex
again. Look, No connection wit
Jekyll and Hyde" The Devil pointe'
lean and inky finger toward tn
doll and 10. radiant. hewitching, wit
a smile Of dainty malice, her hig
heels clicking on the floor like caSta
nets, advanced Mrs. Hauksbee as
had imagined her in the beginning.
"Ah!" she said. you are here s
Meantime a thousand congratulatior!
And now, what do you think of me ?
She put her hands on her hips. re
vealed a glimpse OF the smallest foe
, in Simla and hummed: Just look O
that just look at this
And then youll see I'm not amlss.'
' shell use exactly the same word
when you meet her next time" sal
the Devil warnlngly. "lou dowcrc
her with any amount of vanity, If 20
left out Excuse me n minute