Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-05-04
Godfather Death.

newly born. A bright aud beautiful form
appeared 20 him.
Poor man" II pity thee. will hold
thy child al The font; will care for him,
and he shall be happy ali his life"
But the man ans uered Il know thee.
| will not have thee for godfather, for
thou gives, to .he rich and leayess ,he
poor for hunger
Thus he spoke, who knew moi that
Providence ~ aliwise in gifts, who only
felt .ha' poverty is bitterness. So be
mrned from his friend and sought further;
| and soon dark shape appeared.
Nv iii thou have me to be godfather Of
thy child ?" it said. 81 Will heap gold on
him and he shall enjoy al lhs pleasures
that hle affords"
"No." cried the man, 81 know thee
too veil thou dost deceive. and lead me
TO sorrow and TO SIM"
lie went on. and presently meagre-leg-
eed Death stalked before him.
"Take me for thy godfather said he
Il make all men equal"
IL accept thee" answered the man.
'tor rbou spsresi neither rich nor poor, y
II promise thee" said Death, "Ihai
| thy child ,hali be Ieh and honOEed. f0F
no things lacks 10 hlm who takes We Tor
his friend"
When they boy had grown to be a
man. his godfather came 10 hin. and leo
him forth into d wood; then showing him
an herb. he said
Now will fulfil my promise. Thou
shalt be great ply sclsn. "heh thou
art with rhe sick. if thou saest me al Ihe
head. thou msyst be sure lhis weed Will
cure but if stand al the GOO. no ART
wiil save, fo. shall have chosen. But
beware Use not th,s herb With the de-
sire to delrsud me, or ihou wilt weep the
Day p
The young physicians name became
famous throughout The world from far
snl nrar men sought him, for his word OF
life or death never failed ; ioItupe smiled
on h,m and be became rich. Al last the
King ftll, and The sklliul doctor was call.
ed to his aid. When he reached the 10Y
| al bed, Death stood al the loot. and
stared in shs sick mans face. But the
! physicisa would No. despair for the
sake OF such a patient, he resolved TO
ouiwH the godfather trusting TO be iorgiv-
ell for lbe first oflense. He therefore
turned The Kings head. so that Eealh
stood no longer at the foot. lie then al
ministeyed ihs healing herb, and the hlng
vas cured and arose. Death scowled
or his long finger with threatening ges-
lures.
This time I will pardon shee." he
muirered, "buI belray me no! again, OF
0e TO thee"
Bu. sickness again entered the palace,
and the king wepr day and night over
his only daughter {; in his despair. he
promised that she should be The vile Of
whoms0eYer saved ber. The physician
came and found D, alb waiting a, her feet:
bu. he maideus beauty and innocence
tempted him 10 defy once more his god
laii or. Ia vain Ge ,h frowned and shoob
bis cIencbed fist; the bed OF pain was
turned, 10 lbe sufferer. Then the stern
godfather, thus twice cheated Of his prey,
seized bis godchild with his ice cold hand
and dragged him into his home beneath
the earth. There burned millions Of
fsmes-some large, some less. some small
some very small, in immeasurable rows.
At every momen some were exlinguished
and hers kindled 80 ihst constantly
| disappearing they seemed ever in mo-
liion.
"Tbese," said Death. "are the life
lights of men. These highest and bright
est belong 10 children the next in size
10 married people, in their first. bes,
years; the least TO the aged-shoueh
some children and young people also
have small flames
The physician asked TO see his own,and
Death pointed 10 fain, glimmerng light,
which seemed on the point OF expiring.
"Thal," said he, ais thine y
ooh dear mother ~ said the tremb-
ling man. "let me enjoy more life ! !
mus, be the husband of The little maiden
have saved y
"In vain dosl thou ask" replied Death;
",be old fame must die before new one
can be lighted"
"Oh, pu, it on another table that may
kinde as this expires ~ cried the Physi-
clan.
Death feigned 10 grant the petition ;
but when he touched the little tilckerng
fame, it fell and was exiinguished. and
Deaths cold hand clulched his godchld.
Petersburg, Virginia is full Of wonders.
| has chicken three days old that crows,
and a cat in the adjoining county which,
having lost all its kittens, has adopted and