The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-06-26

nv 4. II. pAuLnIkfS.

IL
The angel Of time being commissioned b,
the Sapreme Governor OF this world, mad,
proclamation that he had hnndrsd thousant
years Of additional llfo to hsstow on tina il.
habitants OF the earth. His trumpet echoed
far and wide, penetrating the cities, the val.
| leys, the mountains, and reaching the utter.
most extremes Of the universe. The people
fooked eagerly from all points of the DOM.
| pass, to prefer their claims TO portion oil
the benefcent gift; but il was surprising ia
| 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 maidens were
wandering IN the labyrinths OF love; and the
men and wemen of middle age were too
much engaged 10 the pursuits of life to think
on death.
The frat who preferred bis petition for a
few additioy Rears was an old man Of four
with age.
"Thou doubtless wishest to live little
longer for the sake of thy children, and
the companions of thy youth!'' said the angel.
"Alas!n cried the old man, "they are Gil
deAd."
"Thou art in possession Of wealth and
honor2"
stAlas, no! have lost my good name, and
am miserabIy poor. Yet wish to live till |
am hundred, and enjoy life little longer -
The angel bestowed ON him the privilege
OF living . hundred years, and he went on
his WY rejoicing and trembling.
The next applicant for Enlightened wears.
was feeble old man who was carried on a
litter. Whom he had preferred his request,
the angel replied:-
"t 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?''
81 am blind these ten years." said the old
man..
''Thou art delighted with the music OF the
birds, the murmuring Of the waters, the ecb-
oes OF the mountains, and oil the harmonies
OF the universe, and wishest to hear them q
little longer?'
III am deaf, and scarcely hear the sound Of
thy trumpet"
Thou art fond OF the delicaciss of food?v
"Alas. my feeble health will not permit of
such indulgencies. | have lived on milk and
crnsts or bread these seven years past, and
more. ! am miserable, sickly old man.
land still thou wishest to lengthen out thy
miseries. What pleasure dost thou enjoy in
this iife?"
"The pleasure of living" said the old
man; and the angel granted him few years
moro.
The third who approached the footstool Of
the angel was decrepis female, almost bent
to the ea-th, and trembling with palsy. Her
teeth were gone-her eyes buried deep in
their dark blue sock ets--her cheeks hollow
and heshless---and she could hardly prefer
her request, for an incessant cough, which
drowned her voice, and almost choked her.
IL am come," said she, "ro beg SCORE OF
years, that might enjoy the pleasure Of See
ing the cypress trees that have planted over
the graves of my husband, my ohilnren, nv
grandchildren, and the rest of my dear rela-
tives, spring up and flourish before die.
am bereft OF all that were near and dear to
me; stand alone in the world, with no one
to speak for me; beseech thee, oh benef-
cent angel, TO grant my request
Though grant thee heightened DAYS. /
cannot remove thy infirmities and sufferinps.
They will increase upon thee" answered the
angel.
II care not, since shall know they cannot
Kill me before nv time''
"Take thy WISH" said the angel, smiling;
''go and be happy"
"Strange." cried a learned man who had
come to petition for q few years to complete
an explanation Of the Appeal ypse, and had
witnessed the scene. "Strange," Dried he.
curling bis lip in scorn, ssthat the most help
less and miserable of human beings should
still covet life Invested of all its enjoy
mentsp'
Silence, fool" replied the angel in
voice of ineffable contempt; sit rather be-
comes thee, ignorant mortal, to adore the
goodness OF Providence, which having or
dained that men should live TO be old, meroi-
fully decreed at the same time that the love
OF live should supply the absence Of ell its
sources of enjoyment. Go! take thy wish,
and finish thy mnentary on the Apoca.
lypse.o