Smyrna times., 1868-07-22

~ MS ICdI lICc
Come, come" he cried "the fair will be
a good one with so many customers.
And pray what did you two newcomers want
here? Couldn' you ask me for few pears,
and not come in my absence to steal them?
We are no thieves" they replied I'VE
are charitable neighhorS who came to help
man whose lamentations Smote us to the heart.
W hen we want pears we buy them in the mar
ket there are plenty without yours.
If what you say be true" said Misery,
you want nothing in my tree, and may come
down as soon as you please; the punishment
is for thieves only" Whcreupon the two
ncighbOrs found themselves free, and quickly
regalned the ground; but the thief continued
hXed to the branches in a pitiable condition
alter his long Imprisonment and the neigh
bors stood astonist ed the power of the Good
man. They begged hard that Misery would
take pity even on the thief, who had endured
torture for many hours The rascal prayed
hard also, crying, '"I'll pay any sum, but, IN
the name Of COD, let me come down. | am
enduring tOrtures"
At this word Misery permitted himselfto be
Modified. lie told the thief, III releasing him,
that he would forget his crime and forgive it.
10 show that he had generous heart, and
that self had never dictated any of the actions
OF his life, he would make him a present of
the fruit he had stolen. lie would be releas-
ed from bondage in the tree, on the condition
that he would take an oath never TO climb it
again. and that he would never come within
one hundred feet of it while the pears were
ripe.
May hundred devils seize me, " said the
again while live ~
That is enough" said the Goodman
Come down, neighbor; you are free, but
never return, If you please"
The thief was so stiff and swollen in his limbs
that poor old Misery had to help him down
with a ladder; for nothing would persuade the
nelghbors to approach the tree second time
The adventure made a great noise in the neigh
borhoOd, and thcncetorth Misery's pears were
respected ScrupulouSy.
ButGo0dman Misery was old, and his strength
wa, waning daily. lie was content with the
! fruit of his peartre but it was meagre fare
that cOntented him. One day knock was
made at his door. He threw the door open
and beheld a visitor whom he had long expect
ed, but whom he did not imagine to be quite
so near his poor heart 1t was death, who, on
his grounds, had stepped aside to tell him that
his hour was near.
'Be welcome" said the Goodman. without
hinching muscle, and looking steadfastly at
him as one who did not fear him Misery had
naught on his conscience, though he had lived
with very little on his back Death was sur
prised to find himself so well received.
"W hat1' cried Death. ''Thou hast no feal
of me No fear Of Death at whose look the
strongest tremble, from the shepherd to the
king?
No. I have no dread of your presence,
Misery said. "What pleasure have [ in th
life? If any thing in this world could CIV,
me regret it would be that OF parting from
my pear-trec, which has fed me through St
many years. But you must be settled with
and you brook no delays nor subtertuges whel
you beckon. All | will ask and beg you to gran
me before die, is that | may eat one NOR
OF my. pears IN your presence. Afterward
shall be ready"
Thy wish is too modest wish to be refu>
ed, " said Death.
Misery crept forth into his yard, Death fol
lowing closely on his heels. The Goodma
J shutiied many times round his beloved tree
seeking the finest pear. AT length having sc
lected magnificent one, "There," he said
II choose that one: pray you lend me you
scythe to cut it down.
This Instruments is never lent, quoth Death
r 'No good soldier permits himself to be dis
armed. But it seems to me it would be bette
4 to pluck your pear with the hand 1t woul
be bruised by fall. Climb into the tree
| "A good idea" said Misery. "lf had tn
D strength would climb but don't you see
S can hardly stand
/ "Wcll, Death answered; 81 will affor
= this service. | will climb the tree myself.
Y Death climbed the pear-troe, and plucke
= the fruit which Misery coveted so ardently
! but was astOnished when he found it impOss
r bic to regain the ground.
y Goodman Misery said Death, "tell n
l. what kind Of a tree is this?
:, Can not you see that it is pear-treeY
g "Yes, yes; but h9w is it that | can mOv
$ neither hand nor foot upon it?'
# 'I' faith that's your business" GOOdmG
:. Misery answered.
"What, Goodman ! You dare to play trio
s upon me, at whose nod all the world trembles
8 DO you know the risks you are running?
d 81 am very sorry" was Misery's cool a
is swer but what have you risked yourself
coming to disturb the peace of an unfOrtuna
d who never did you harm in his life? Wh
20 fantastic notion led you to me? You have Il
r time to reflect, however, and since have you nc
" under my thumb will do little good to Il
poor world that you have held i'll bondage +
le so many centuries. No Without the he
is of miracle you will not get out Of that tr
Q, until please to permit you.
le Death who had never found himself in SUI
plight, saw that he had to doal with son
e supernatural power.
as "Goodman Misery" he pleaded, 81 deser
ef this for having been too amiable toward you
he But don abuse the power which the All To-
is erful has given you, for an instant over me-.
st Make no further opposition, pray you, to t
DEGREES Of heaven. Consent that ! shall dt
ry cend the tree at once, or | will blast it un
to death"
ny BLAST i" Misery answered; "and pl
to test to you, by all that is most sacred IN t
ne world, dead as my tree may be, it will hold y,
or until you get free from it by Gods will. y
re 81 perceive, Death went ON, that ent
WI ed an unfortunate house for myself to-day.
But come come, Goodman Misery. ! ha
nd business in the four quarters of the world, u
it must be ended before sundown. Do y
est wish to arrest the course of nature IT W.
a to make my way out of this prcdicament y
he might feel it sharply"
= May" said Misery, ''I fear nothing
wo Every man who is above the fear Of Death
cir beyond any threats Your menaces have
lat effect ON me- | am always ready to start