Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-06-11


was assembled; the doctors flocked TO il
from the four quarters Of the globe there
came white, black, yellow and copper
colored; and they all sought together for
remedy against life, without being able
TO find it. A prize of ten millions was
offered TO whomsoever it might be that
should discover it; all the doctors wrote
pamphlets on life. Us they used to do on
cholera. and they did not cure this dis
ease any more than the other.
Ii was a more dreadful calamity than
the deluge, for it lasted longer, and there
appeared no sign OF its ever coming to
an end.
/ Now. at this time, there was in Conde
most learned physician, who spoke
almost altogether in Latin. and whom
they called DR.. De Prolundis. He was
most worthy man, who. In Tho good cid
times. had helped of macy poor body
into the other world. ard who now was
disguised at being unable to cure any
one. One evening when he Was coming
from dining with th9 mayor OF Vicq, he
! lost his way in the marsh. Chance
brought him near Misery'7 garden, and
he heard a plaintivo voice, which said:
"Oh. WAC viii SO, me lrce. and who
will deliver tho land from Immortality, a
hundred times worse ,nan The pestilonce!' =
The learned doctor lifted up his eyes,
and his delight wes only equslled by his
surprise; he had recognized Death.
"What, is it you, my old friend,' said
he, "Qud agis IN hac pyro perched?
What are you doiog up there in the pear
tree ?"
Nothing at oil. DR.. De Profundis. and
that is what makes me SO unhappy re-
piled Death; "!end me your hald to get
down"
The good doctor gave him his hand,
and Death made suth an effort to get
himself out OF the tee, tba. he lifted the
doctor of the ground.
The pear.tree Immediately seized hold
OF him. aud held him in It's branches.
DE Profnndis struggled in vain; he was
obliged - keep company with Death.
There was much astonishment the next
day aud the day after, when he failed to
appear. As he gave no sign of lie tney
had him placardcd aud advertised in The
"Gdzettc," but IL was labor lost. De Pro-
furdis vas the first man that hid d!sap-
pesred from Condo for many year. Had
he then found out tho secret OF dying, and
had be, heretofore 50 generous, kept 1t
Tor himself alone
All the inhabitants of Conde set out
upon tho a,ch. and they beat up the
country so well in every sonse Of the
word that they came upon the garden OF
Misery. Al lheir approach the doctor
waved his handkerchief as q signal OF
distress.
This wayr he cried to them. This
way, my friends; here be il, here is
Death was right in my pamphlet,
said We should find him in the marsh OF
Vicq. the true nest OF the chol6ra. |
have got him at last. but non poSsumuS
dcscenderc,-we can't get down from !his
cursed pesr.tree."
Long live DeatbIr' shouted the Con-
deans in chorus. and they approached
without ioar.
The first comers held out their hands to
Death and the doctor. but. like the doc
tor, they were taken of the ground and
seized Uy the branches OF the irce. Very
soon the pear-!ree was entirely covered
with men. Wonderful to relate. it grew
in proportion A. it got hold OF the people.
Those who came sflerward took the 9th
ers by the feet, others hung on to .Lese,
and All together formed tho rings OF sev-
eral chains of men which extended to the
distance Of musket-shot. But in vain
was it that the last ones pulled with all
their might, they could not pull OF their
friends from the accursed tree. They
took ii into their hands 70 cut down the
pear-tree; they started off to hunt up
axes, and began to chop all at once; ;
alas they could no. even see the marks
OF their blows.
They looked at one another entirely
confounded, and did not know what saint
10 call on, when Misery was attracted by
the noice. and asked the cause of it
They explained TO her what had been
going on for so long a time, time, and
she compreheuded the evillshe had unin-
ten,ionally caused.
81 alone can set Death free, and con-
sen, TO do it, but on one condition. that
Desth does not come for US. Faro and
me, until have called him three times"
agreed" said Death.
Come down. / give you permission y
said Misery, aud Death, and the doctor.
and the rest fell from the tree ike so
many over-ripe pears.
Death set himself at work without
leaving his place, and sent off those who
were iu the greatest hurry, but every one
wanted to be first. The great man saw
that be would have too much on his
hands. To assist him, he raised an army
OF dnrlnrs. and anpointed DR.. De Pro.