Mysterious Stranger Author:Mark Twain In 1590 a few boys are living happy sheltered lives in a remote Austrian village named Eseldorf. One day, a handsome teenage boy named Satan appears in the village. He explains that he is an angel and the nephew of the fallen angel Satan. Young Satan performs several magical feats. He claims to be able to foresee the future and informs the group... more » of unfortunate events that will soon befall those they care about. The boys don't believe Satan's claims until one of his predictions comes true. Satan proceeds to describe further tragedies that will befall their friends. The boys beg Satan to intercede. Satan agrees, but operates under the technical definition of mercy. For instance, instead of a lingering death due to illness, Satan simply causes one of Theodor's friends to die immediately. Mayhem ensues - witch trials, burnings, hangings, deaths, mass hysteria, and redistribution of wealth« less