Catching Satan

Some few years ago, toward the end of December, all Moscow was startled by the rumor- the first vasue and dcubtful, tien more and more distinct - of a hideous figure wliich showed itself nightly just outside of one of the principal "barriera" of the city. terrifying all beholders with the veritable seinblance of a hom, tail, fiery e os and all. After a time, however, it was whispered that every one that had been "interviewed" by this disagreeable promenader had ended by finding himself minus his watch, purse or other valuables- a fact which arouseil suspicions that the pretended demon was, after all, only s'ome daring thief, requiringtheexorcism of the pólice rather than those of the clergy. Such at least was the view taken in the bureau of pólice itself, when the matter was being discussed one night by some dozen members of the "force" vith the addition of such details as popular rumor or their own lively fancy suggested. Suddenly a young Cos, reoently enrolled, who had sat perfectly silent during the whole conversation, arose. and said. quietly, but flrmly, "ít'á against orders to let Satan walk aboutl l'H just go and tackle him." So saying the adventurous lad went forth, saddled his hoise and set off in search of the pocket-picking demon, taking wlth him no weapon save his "arkru"- a short lasso- as formidable in Cossack hands as in those of the American "Gaucho." It was dark long before he reached the barrier, but a f aint gleam of moonlight showed him a ghastly figure, which seemed to rise out of the earth at his approach, and saia, in a holló w voice: "Ilelloa, there! Iwantyou! Come down with me to the kingdom below." Tlns sinster surumons was barely uttered, when the noose settled around the speaker's neck, and the half-throttled demon i'oimd himself jerked froin his feet and flung violently to the ground. ïhe Cossack bound hiin hand and foot, trussed him up behind the saddle, and started back to town at f uil gallóp, utterly regardless of the cries of astonishinent that followed his course, and the crowd that gathered at his heels like a snowball. Meanwhile. the chief of pólice, having gone to bed earliar than usual, had just fallen asleep, when he was aroused by a violent knocking at his door and a shout "Your excellency ! Your excelleney !" "Whatthe deuce is the matter?" cried "his excellency," savacely adding a brief but forcible apostrophe, wliich neednot be quoted. "Satan, your excellency," answered a voice from without. "Satan Y' hoed the great what startled at the announcement of such a visitor, despite the appropriateïics of tiio hour. "There's a Cossack below, your excellency, who says he's caught Satan, and wants to know what he's to do with him." A sudden recollection of the banier demon Hashed upon the chiefs mind, and he comprehended the whole affair in a moment. Ilurryingon hisclothes as quickly as possible, he hastened down stairs and found at the door the horse with bis ghostly burden, while the Cossack making his salute, said quietly : "I've caught Satan, your excellency. What are your excellency's orders about him ?" Stifling a laugh at his follower's coolness, tlie chief ordered the prisoner's disguise to be taken off, when the features revealed were those of a hotel thief. for whose apprehension a large reward had been offered. The rascal was proinptly packed off to Siberia, while his captor received in f uil the recompense to which he was so well entitled.-