HIS SATANIC MAJESTY CHOKED OFF.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2540, 20 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

HIS SATANIC MAJESTY CHOKED OFF.

In the United States a daring and dashing young fellow sold his soul to the Old Original Sophist, on condition that during his life he should have all the money he wanted. He went the pace at a glorious rate, and the Grand Old Casuist paid down like a gentleman. But time told upon him. His raven locks became grizzled, his step less elastic, his appetite for riotous extravagance satisfied. He reflected ruefully on his contract, and sought out an old fellow of whose wisdom he had a high opinion to lay his hard case before him. The aged sage closed his eyes, puffed.at his pipe until he was enveloped in clouds, sat for some time in reflective silence, and then thus probed his way to a sound judgment. " What have you done to bankrupt him ? Kept yachts ? racehorses ? mistresses ? gambled deep ?" The respondent answered that he had of yachts a whole fleet, of racers a full stable, of mistresses an omnibus full, and of gambling associates the finest set of " Affable Hawks " in all America. " And he has come up to time—eh ?" asked the Philosopher. "To the minute," said the respondent, with a deep sigh. " The case is serious," remarked the Sas>e. " There is but one resource left. Start a daily paper !" He did so. At the end of six months the Grand Old Casuist looked glum, but paid. At nine months he bit his lips as he pored with scrutinising eye over the balance-sheet, but paid again. At the end of the year he was bankrupt—and flung up the bargain. The legend says he vanished with a howl and a flash of blue fire, leaving behind him an odour which made the saved one grateful indeed to his venerable philosophic adviser.—Sheffield Telegraph.