Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-31
Our LIFETIME.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.

When the world was created, and all
creatures assembled to have their life ap.
pointed, the ass first advanced, and asked
how long he would have to live.
"Thirty years." replied Nature; "will
that be agreeable to thee!"
"Alas?" replied the ass, "it is long
while! Remember what a wearisome
existence mine will be; from morning
until night shall have to bear heavy bur-
dens, dragging corn sacks to mill, that
others may eat bread, while | shall have
no encouragement, nor be refreshed with
anything but blows and kicks. Give me
but a portion of that time, pray9"
Nature was moved with compassion,
and presented to him but eighteen years.
The ass went away comforted, and the
dog came forward.
GLOW long dost thou require to live :"
asked Nature; "thirty years were too
-tcuteu Win them
"Is it thy will that I shouldl" replied
the dog. "Think how much | shall have
to run out: my feet will not last so long
time; and when shall have lost my
voice for barking and my teeth for biting,
what else shall l be fit for but to lie in
the corner and growl?"
Nature thought he was right and gave
him twelve years. The ape then ap.
preached.
"Thou wilt doubtless willingly live the
thirty years." said Nature; "thou wilt
not have to labor as the ass and the dog.
Life will be pleasant to thee"
"Ah, nor cried he; $50 it may seem
to others, but it will not be. Should pud-
ding ever rain down, I shall have no
spoon! l shall play merry tricks, and
excite laughter by my grimaces, and then
be rewarded with sour apple. How
often sorrow lies concealed behind a Jest!
| shall not bc able to endure for thirty
years.
Nature was gracious, and he received
but ten.
Atlast came man, healthy and strong,
and asked the measure of his days.
"Will thirty years content thee :"
"How short time" exclaimed man ::
"when shall have built my house, and
kindIed fire on my own hearth-when
the trees | shall have planted are about
to bloom and bear fruit, when life will
seem to me most desirable, / shall die |!
Oh, Nature grant me longer period"
"Thou shalt have the eighteen years of
the ass besides"
"That is not enough"
"Take, likewise, the twelve years of
the dog" cit is not yet sufficient" re-
iteratcd man: "give me more!'
81 give thee, then, the ten years of the
ape; in vain wilt thou crave more"
Man departed unsatis6ed.
Thus man lives seventy years. The
first thirty are his human years, and pass
idly by. He is then healthy and happy
--he labors checrlully, and rejoices in his
cxistcnce.-The eighteen years of the ass
come next, and, burden upon burden
heaped upon him, he carries the corn tha
is to feed others, and blows and kicks are
the wages of his faithful service. The
twelve years of the dog follow, and he
loses his teeth, and lies in corner ane
growls When these are gone, the ape
ten years form the conclusion. The MAJ
is weak and silly becomes the sport o
children.
DoN'r GRuMBLE.-He is fool tha
grumbles at every little mischance. Pu
the best foot forward, is an old and goo
maxim. Don't run about, and tell &C
quaintances that you have been unfor'u
nate. People do not like to have unfortu
nate men for acquaintances. Add to
vigorous determination cheerful spirit
if reverses come, bear them like philoso
sopher and get rid of them as soon a
, you can. Poverty is like a panther: loo
! it steadily in the face, and it will tur
8 from you.