The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-24
The Angel of Time.
BY j. K. PAULDING.

The Angel of Time, being commissioned
by the Supreme Governor of the world
made proclamation that he had hundred
thousand years of additional life to bestow
on the inhabitants of the earth. His trum-
pet echoed far and wide, penetrating the ci-
ties, the valleys, the mountains, and reach
ing the uttermost extremes of the universe.
The people tlocked eagerly from all points
of the compass, to prefer their claims to a
portion of the bene6cent gift but it was
surprising to see that the crowd consisted of
the aged alone. The children were enjoying
their youthful sports, and paid no attention
to the proclamation the youths and maid
ems were wandering in the labyrinths of
love; and the men ard women of middle
age were too much engaged in the pursuits
of life to think on death.
The first who preferred his petition for a
few additional years was an old man of
fourscore and upward, bent almost double
with age.
"Thou doubtless wishest to live a little
longer for the sake of thy children and the
companions of thy YOUTH" said the angel.
"Alas p cried the old man, they are all
dead.''
"Thou art in possession of wealth and
honor?"
"Alas, no! l have lost my good name,
and am miserably poor. Yet wish to live
till l am hundred, and enjoy life little
longer"
The angel bestowed on him the privilege
of living hundred years, and he went on
his way rejoicing and trembling.
Tbs next applicant for heightened years,
was feeble old man, who was carried on a
litter. When he had preferred his request
the angel replied
understand. Thou art enamored of
the charms of woman, of the beauties of the
earth, the waters and the skies, and wishest
to behold them yet few years more ~
am blind these ten years" said the old
man.
"Thou art delighted with the music of
echoes of the mountains, and all the harmo-
nies of the universe, and wishes to hear
them little longer ?"
l am deaf, and scarcely hear the sound
of thy trumpet"
"Thou art fond of the delicacies of food p"
Alas my feeble health will not per.
NIT of such induIgencies. have lived on
milk and crusts OF bread these seven years
past, and more. am miserable, sickly
old man.
And still thou wishest to lenghen out
thy miseries. What pleasure dost thou en-
joy in this life ?"
The pleasure of living" said the old
man and the angel granted him few
years more.
The third who approached the footstool
OF the angel was decrepit female, almost
bent to the earth, and trembling with palsy.
Her teeth were gone-her eyes buried deep
in their dark blue sockets-her cheeks hol-
low and feshless-and she could hardly
prefer her request, for an incessant cough,
which drowned her voice and almost chOked
her.
Il am come," said she, "to beg a score of
years. that | might enjoy the pleasure of
seeing the cypress trees have planted over
the graves of my husband, my children, my
grandchildren, and the rest of my dear rel
atives, spring up and flourish before die.
am bereft of all that were near and dear
to me; l stand alone in the world, with no
one to speak for me; beseech the, oh be.
nefcent angel, to grant my request"
"Ihough l grant thee heightened days,
can not remove thy infrmities and suffer-
ings. They will increase upon thee," an
swered the angel.
II care not, since shall know they can
not kill me before my time"
Take my wish," said the angel, smiling,
go and be happy"
Strange !" cried learned man who had
come to petition for few years to complete
an explanation of the Apocalypse, and had
witnessed the scene Strange" cried he,
curling his lip in scorn, that the most
helpless and miserable of human beings
should still covet life divested of all its
eDjoyments!"
"Silence fool!" replied the angel in
voice OF ineffable contempt; " it rather be-
comes the ignorant mortal, to adore the
goodness of Providence, which having or
dalned that men should live to be old, mer-
cifully decreed at the same time that the
love of life should supply the absence of all
its sources of enjoyment. Go! take thy
wish, and finish thy commentary on the
Apocalypse"
The President has left Washington for