Horror Story Review: "The Devilish Rat" by Albert Page Mitchell

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The narrator is a student of metaphysics who ponders such questions as why his soul is anchored in his body. If he could lessen his soul’s attachment to his body, perhaps he could attract a better soul. While he’s alone in Schloss Schwinkenschank, eating as little as he can, with minimal human contact, he can feel the soul start to loosen. His mentor Professor Calcarius stops by for a visit and is pleased with the progress his best student has made. He’s convinced he’s performing an invaluable service for science. This is all happily told tongue-in-cheek, beginning with the name of the town and castle. The narrator’s quest is suitably serious-silly. This is a fun little story up until the end when our hero gets his wish, but not in the way he expects. This is nicely written. Author Albert Page Mitchell was in editor and the New York “Sun,” famous for its “humbugs.” He wrote many supernatural pieces presented as fact in the pages of the paper. He was also an editor during the time of the “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” letter. Another editor, Francis Pharcellus Church, wrote the famous reply. I could not find the story available in text online line. _____ Title: “The Devilish Rat” first published in “The Sun” Jan. 27, 1878 Author: Albert Page Mitchell, pseudonym for Edward Page Mitchell (1852-1927) Source: ISFDB *An earlier version of this review appeared at another site. It has been updated and expanded for its inclusion in myLot*