Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-18
sgtingy Johns" Change of Heart

YOHN BARKER, 'Stingy John,
as he was dubbed by the small
boys of the neighborhood, sat
~ on the doorstep of his ivy
covered cottage, which had been
made beautiful both inside and out
by the hands Of Milly, his orphaned
niece.
That very day in violent fit OF
rage he had caused her TO leave the
only home she had ever known
Where she had gone for shelter he
did not know. and. what was worse
ne had convinced himself that he did
not care.
But tonight something was wrong.
He did not find his usual satisfaction
in counting his money and chuckling
over his bank balances and the rents
so soon coming due.
Perhaps his conscience was vaguely
troubling him. A neighbor who had
Just left had told him in no uncer.
tain words just what he thought OF
old Johns treatment of Nlilly.
"For love of money" the neighbor
had said, you've sold yourself TO the
devil. He'll soon be able to claim your
Soul!'
And while old John had openly
Haunted him, he could not forbear a
Shuciler. Try as he would he could
not keep his thoughts from wander
ing. Had he really sold his soul to
the devil?
He could not keep his raind from
dwelling on AIilly. In fancy hs could
hear the echo of her light football IS
she was wont to walk to and fro
across the tiny bedrooms and hall, de-
lighting in the little womanly tasks
that seem so intricate to man.
But old Johns heart hardened as
he remembered how she had detied
him when he forbade her to allow that
young scapegrace Of a boy ever to
cross his threshold again. Never
would 4 pottering musician inherit his
money. If Milly didn't have sense
enough to marry a man of wealth
then she shouldn't ever receive any of
his.
Rather than give up her lover the
girl had chosen to so out In the world
and try to make her own living until
such time as the man of her heart
could claim her.
Old John sat motionless, smoking
his corncob pipe modify. The lone
illness of the little house made him
reluctant to enter, though it was past
tne nour OF MS Deulllne.
The hours dragged unfortunately.
An ominous silence prevailed. Sud
denly the air was rent by the shrill
cry of screech owl, that harbinger
Of evil tidings.
The darkness seemed filled with
horrible grimacing faces. Another
gust of wind came around the corner
of the house, ending in long -drawn-
out, almost human sob.
The grim figure Of the old man stir
red uneasily.
Family in the wind the sound Of
voice singing was borne to him. A
voice of exquisite pathos and beauty.
Old John peered nervously into the
shadows, and then rose stiff1y and en-
tered the house.
No sooner had he lighted the old
fashioned lamp than there was the
sound of feet outside and a loud rap
on the door.
With shutting, hesitating steps he
started to answer the summons, but
when at last his nervous fingers found
the latch and opened the door he drew
back in sudden terror.
Without stood a majestic, terrible
fgure. To old Johns benumbed fac
uities it was neither man nor beast
nothing less than the devil himself:
The figure stood about feet 2. clothed
In scarlet from head to foot; hard
looking little red horns protruded
from his forehead, and from hi eyes
darted tiny flames of fire.
Old John stood transfixed-para.
iyzed with fear. as in deep, stentorian
tones the apparition asked what he
had done with Milly.
In quavering, trembling voice he
attempted to explain that Milly had
gone to the city, but before he could