Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-07-12

Now, at this time, there was in Conde
most learned physician, who spoke almost al
together in Latin, and whom they called DIR.
De Profunds. He was a most worthy man,
who in the good old times, had helped of
many poor body into the other world and
who was now disgusted at being unable TO
cure any one One evening when he was
coming from dining with the mayor of Nicq,
he lost his way in the marsh. Chance brought
him near Misery's garden, and he heard a
plaintve voice. which said
"Oh, who will set me free, and who will
deliver the land from Immortality hundred
times worse than the pestilence :"
The learned doctor lifted up his eyes, and
his delight only equalled his surprise; he had
recognized Death.
what! is it you, my old friend, said he,
"quid agjs in lac pyrO perched? What are
you doing up there in the pear tree!"
Nothing at all, DIR. De Profundis, and
that is what makes me so unhappy" replied
Death "lend me your hand to get down.
The good doctor gave him his hand, and
Death made such an effort so get himself out
of the tree, that he lifted the doctor off the
ground.
The pear tree Immediately seized hold Of
him, and held him in its branches.
De Profundis struggled in vain he was
obliged to keep company with Death.
There was much astonishment the next day
and the day after when he failed to appear.
As he gave no sign of life they had him pla-
carded and advertised in the Gazette but
it was labor lost. De Profundis was the first
man that had disappeared from Conde for
many year. Had he then found out the Sc
cret of dying, and had he, heretofore so gen
erous, kept it for himself aloneI
All the inhabitants of Conde set out upon
tl,a p.,rob mi H., I.u bo IN
well in every sense Of the word, that they
came upon the garden of Misery. At their
approach the doctor waved his handkerchief
as a signal of distress.
"Ths way" he cried to them, "This way,
my friends here he is here is Death l was
right in my pamphlet; said We should find
him in the marsh Of Nicq, the true nest of
the cholera. have got him at last, but non
p0sS,tHUS descendeIf we can't get him down
from this cursed pear tree.
Long live Death :" shouted the Condeans
in chorus, and they approached without fear.
The first comers held out their hands to
Death and the doctor, but, like the doctor,
they We're taken of the ground and seized by
the branches of the tree. Very soon the
pear tree was entirely covered with men.
Wonderful to relate it grew in proportion as
it got hold of people. Those who came after
ward took the others by the feet, others hung
on to these, and all together formed the rings
Of several chains of men which extended tc
the distance of musket shot But in vain
was it that the last ones pulled with all theii
might, they could not pull off their friends
from the accursed tree. They took it into
their hands to cut down the pear tree they
started off to hunt up the axes, and began tC
| chop all at once alas they could not ever
see the marks Of their blows.
ular- lnnEaI of op,,t1ar a,,tira1x
| founded, and did not know what saint to cal
on, when Misery was attracted by the noise
| and asked the cause of it, They explained tt
her what had been going on for so long {
| time, and she comprehended the evil she haC
unintentionally caused.
Il alone can set Death free, and l consen
! Ia do it. but on one condition, that Deatl
does not come for us, Faro and me, until
have called him three times"
Agreed, said Death.
Come down, give You permission :" SAFE
Misery, and Death, the doctor. and the res
fell from the tree like so many over-rip
pears.
Death set himself ut work without Leaving
his place. and sent of those who were in tn
greatest hurry. but every one wanted to b.
first. The great man saw that he would hav
too much on his hands. TO assist him. h
raised an army Of doctors, and appointed DIR
| DE Profundis general -in-chief
A few days sufliced to Death and the doc
tor to relieve the earth of the excesses of til
living and everything got back into orde
again. Everybody who was more than
hundred years old had the right to die and d
so, with the exception of Misery, who hel
herself quiet, and who. since then, has nc
yet called Death three times.
That is the reason they say. why Misery
always with us in the world. - w. NjchOls, i
.Srrjbser Gyp .Juue