Litchfield enquirer., 1856-03-06
The Giant and Death

There lived upon a time Giant, who Vas very strong and very kind hearted: Hxetx uay he went out seeking what good he might ac: compish for men. One morning as he N2'krQ abroad he met one whom he knew wns DeHtb; Death was attended bs a female with wild e{es, haggard cheeks, attentiated form, uEd faltefInE step and who bmoaned incohereptly to herself :" Hold Death, cried the Giant, must fight with thee today. &. ...
 But Death as he. slowly advanced, replied, no cannot stop, have much work to do ere the sun sets" :.
 ."'rhou evil one D cried tho Giant hold { [ will at least delay thy footsteps. and retard the dcsolation thoti earliest with thee E lore man kind, therefore do hate thee, thou fearful one x
 But Death only answered, must not llng- CT here; many wait for my coming to-day. and would mourn if tarried. ."
 Now surely thou Hest, said tho Giant. '' for all men fear thee, the evil and fhe good. and at the distant echo of thy footsteps they weep, and mourn and pray tobe delivered from thee. When they paint thee it ia always ia black and with horrible countcnaneer
 "No," sighed Death, :" the good do not fear ne, they fear rather my servants. 0ne of them is called Fever, she goes with mo in tho morn ug; See how wild her eyes are, and how pale her cheeks sing sweet songs of joy md hope to the sick man, but her eyes glate upon him se iercely, and she raves so madly, that he cannot hear my voice. Hunger and Gold are twin bro ther and sister, and always 60 together. l q: ten bring with me beautiful pictures of green fields were the warm sun ever shines, and Wheto the palm tree grows, but Cold lays her icy iuk- CTS upon the heart, and Hunger cries with his loud voice, So that men can sec none of the bcan tiful visions of promise that I paint. My ser wants truly are fearful Strive with theln f thou wouldSt benefit mankind, but trouble iiie not. for when come alone, come very gently
 "f cannot strive with thee to-day, replied the Giant" for 1 feel my strength already wane as speak with thee, yet would mekc oue re- quest. l have friend young, beautiful. and pous know that thou must come to him one day even as thou dost to all men, but come alop. without thy fearful attendants, and peafh ais- swered, It shall be as thou wilt, aud one thing more will promise thee, will not eo to him. until he calls me himself"
 Thus they parted, and the Giant Ratc hiS young friend all worldly treasure, mud rejoiced to hehold his happiness.
 But one day he chanced to meet the young man and there was cloud on his brow fs all we'll with thee i' said the Giant.
 "There is one thing that gricyes me, z replied thc young man. II am consumed by deSife for knowledge: The days are so short and s5 few. My vision is so limited, and my erset so feeble. Ah, in heaven it will be so much bel: ter v and the Giant sighed, for lie knew that his friend called tho fearful one, Death
 Years passed on, and the Giant found h's friend. in the strength of manhood, honorcd ataI beloved m
 What fails thee now ?'' said the G;at1{. "surely there is nothing left thee to desire ~ Il am weary of the injustice Of men" fn answered, "my hoart grows sad us look at tSe sin and misery which have no power to axp{. long for rest" And the Giant trenhlcd f3r he heard the footsteps of Death, hut Dea.h came not yet. ,
 The third time the c ant visited his ir:eSsl he found him in old age, but vigorous ond l6asa. tiful as in youth. and the Giant Said. !. Ef5W greatly art thou blessed Thou hast no sickntxs. nos imfirmifies, thou art severywherc rcsnt tfpsl and loved life is surely very pleasant 10 thec 2'. Thou speakestS truly answered thc slan.. but my friends have all left me, aud my hcart K often lonely. At night inmy dreams. I sce fhc's, again. they walk in green fields. ben5Atn fhs. palm trees and the birds sing the sweetest son1s that my ears ever heard, and when a,vnk<, in the morning, and find myself still 0n earth I am sorrowfnl' '~ Perhaps, some aay | shslI fp,i my dreams. true"
 ] The next morning the old nsat, awakened mi from his sleep, his dreams were hecs,me }rdc. --"-s~>--------~--