Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-11
The Giant and Death.


There lived once upon time, a Gi.
ant. who was very strong and very
kind hearted. Every day he went
out seeking what good he might ac'
complish for men. One morning as
he walked fortL, he met one whom he
knew as Death. Death was attended
by female with wild eyes, haggard
cheeks. attenuated form. and faltering
step, and who moaned incoherently 10
herself.
"Hold. DEATH" cried the Giant.
advancing, Il must sight with thee to-
day"
But Death. as he slowly moved on,
replied.
"No. cannot stop; I have much
work to do ere the sun SETS"
"Thou evil one," cried the Giant,
"hold l will at least delay thy
footsteps, and retard the desolation
thou earliest with thee. / love man.
kind therefore do hate thee. thou
fearful one!"
But Death only answered,
Il must not linger here; many wait
for my coming TO day and would mourn
if | tarried."
The Giant again said:
"Now, surely. thou liest, for al
men fear thee, the evil and the good
and at the distant echo of thy footsteps
they wetp and mourn, and pray to b,
delivered from thee. When the,
paint thee. it is always in black, ane
with horrible countenance.
"No," sighed Death, 1.-The good dc
not fear me; they fear. rather. my ser
wants. One Of them is called Fever
she goes with me this morning. Sc.
how wild her eyes are, and how pal'
her cheeks | sing sweet songs o
Joy and hope to the sick man, bu
her eyes glare so 6ercely upon him
AMI she raves so msdly. that he can
hear my voice. Hunger and Cold arr
twin brother and sister, and always
go together. often bring with m,
beautiful pictures Of green fields
where the warm sun ever shines. ane
where the palm trees grow. but colo
lays her 10y hands upon the heart. ant
Hunger cries with his loud voice. 81
that men can see none Of the beauti
ful visions Of promise that paint
Ny servants, truly, arc fearful. Striv'
with them IL thou wouldst bene6
mankind. but trouble not me; fo
when come alone, come very gen
lily.
II cannot strive with thee TO day,
replied the Giant. '.for feel IN
strength already wane when ! spea
with thee; vet | would make one re
quest. have friend, young, beau
tiful and pious. / know that tho
mus, come to him one day, as tho
dosl to all men; but come alone, with
out thy fearful attendants"
Death answs red.
at shall be as thou wilt; and on
thing more promise thee; | will nc
20 to him until he shall call me him
self"
Thus they parted. and the Clan
gave his young friend all worldly tres
sure. and rejoiced to behold his happI
ness.
But one day he chanced to NEE
the young man. and there was clou
on his brow.
"Is all well with thee?" said III
! Giant.
There is one thing that grieve
me-" replied the oung man. IL al
consumed by desire for knowledg.
The days are so short md so few :
Ny vision is so limited-my grasp 8
feeble. All. in heaven It will be 9
much better.
And the Giant sighed for he kne,
that his friehd called the fearful on,
Death.
Years passed on. and the Giar
his friend in the strength Of manhood
honored and beloved.
"What fails thee now?" said III
Giant. "surely there il nothing lei
thee to desire?"
al am weary Of the injustice ,
men," he answered; "my heart grow
sick as l look at the sin and miser
: which l have no power to avert; lon
for rest"
The Giant trembled. for he thougl
he heard the steps Of Death: but Deaf
} came not yet.
The third time the Giant visited b
, friend. he found him in old age, b,
vigorous and beautiful, as in you'll
and the giant said:
"How greatly thou art blessedl-
Thou hast no sickness or in6rmitie'
thou art every where respected an
loved; life is surely very pleasant
thee"
"Thou speakest truly" answere
: the man: "but my friends have all le
me. and my heart Is lonely. At nigh
in my dreams. ] see them again; the
walk in green fields, beneath the pail
trees. and the birds sing the sweete,
songs that my ears ever heard, an
! when | awake 10 the morning and in
myself still on earth. | sm sorrowfu
Perhaps some day shall find m
dreams true"
The next morning tho old man aw'
kened not from his sleep; his dream
were become true.