Evening star., 1927-11-28

and died in ls57,, This author has been
Once upon time there was
woman who was so ugly that her face
was like TO crack in two, and she
had such a bad temper that Job him
self could not have endured her
However. she was as neat as a pin
and Industrious as an ant, but her
daughter Pamfila was so lazy that
an earthquake could not have reused
her. So her mother, who was nick
named Aunt Holofernes." scolded
her from morrfinG till night.
Then one day Aunt Holofernes
called to Pamfila; the girl was listen
ing to the foolish words of young
man. Due to the girls delay a ket-
tie fell on the mothers foot.
- You wicked, dfor-nothing,
love-sick girl.'' cried Aunt Holo-
fernes, then. in a towering rage. You
think of nothing but falling in love
and getting married. l wish to
Heaven that you'd marry the devil"'
Not long after this most hand
some lover presented himself. He
was young, well.behaved, and had
we'll. filled pockets. Even Aunt Ho-
lofernes could find nothing in him to
object to. Pamfila was half wild with
delight, md preparations were made
Tor the wedding.
All at once people began to talk
about this stranger, though he was
very polite, we'll bred and clever.
Then Aunt Holofernes began to dis
trust her prospective son-inlaw. She
thought she could detect certain su-
spicious protuberances under his in
, nocent looking red hair and she recol-
lected with uneasiness the curse she
had pronounced upon her daughter.
Then came the wedding. and after
ward, when the bridal pair were about
to retire to their apartment. Aunt Ho-
loferpes said to Pamfila: when you
go INTO your room shut all the doors
and windows. stop up every hole and
crack except the keyhole, and take
this bra nch Of blessed olive. Beat your
husband with the olive branch. Keep
on till I tell you to stop. This cere-
mony is never omitted at weddings,
my dear"
Pamfiia. obedient for once. did as
she was told As soon as the bride
groom caught sight of the Owe
branch he turned to run away. Find
ing no opening save the keyhole. he
slipped into it-and found himself in
a little bottle, which his mother-in-
law was holding ready to receive him
when he came through. For Aunt
Holofernes had guessed that TINS
spruce-looking young man was no less
than the devil himself, who had taken
advantage of the power given him by
Aunt Holofernes' unwary curse.
Aunt Holofernes sealed up the bot
tie and took it to a high mountain.
on top of which she left it. with the
devil securely imprisoned. There ms
highness stayed for 10 years.
The world was wonderful place
those 10 years-every man minded
his own business. nobody stole or lied
and crime became a word without
meaning But such happiness could
not last A soldier named Briones ar.
rived on the mountain top and was
surprised to find the bottle, which was
Of good size. He picked it up and,
holding it to the light. saw in it the
devil. who had dried and withered till
he looked like a dried plum.
Let me out. gallant warrior" said
the devil "and | will grant you any
favor you may ask of me. I'm the
devil"
Il want my discharge said the
soldier.
You shall have it," said the devil.
But as RrionoS started to pull out
the stopper he Smelled such an odor
of birthstone that he hastily pushed
It hack in again. Then he thought
he might as well do little bargain
ing.
as live" said Briones.
"Ry Satan. by Beelzehuh, by Luci'
fer" cried the devil. Il have no money
TO give YOU.
You must find it, then. or won
let you out" said Brionos.
VERY well. I'll help YOU 10 get It,
said the devil.
How do I know you'll keep youi
word" asked Briones
"You inuudent wretch cried IN
devil. IF | ever get out I'll teach
you-but I'll keep my word, ! assure
sou Just pull out the stopper
Briones hesitated. but the devi
rfeaded SO hard that the soldier finally
took the risk and opened the bottle.
"Now." said he devil. here is the
plan. I'm going to slip down the
threat of the princess, whom the king
her father, loves to distraction, and
shall cause her such pain that no doc
Tor can cure her. Then you must pre-
sent Yourself. offering TO effect a cure
for a pension of as many dollars da,
as Won NAV want. and | will come out
So our accounts will he settled
Everything occurred as the deNi
had MANNED IT, The princess tool
"a her bed. convttlsed with pain. an
about her Eronee presented him
self with Al the effronte'V of a maj
who knows that the hevll Is helnini
him. The king accepted his servic
on one condition which was that i
re did not cure the princess IN thre'
havs as he positively promised +
DO, the presumptuous doctor shoul'
be hanged.
Er3ones. certain Of SUCCESS, agree,