The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-03-16

silver, Of copper and of brass, Of iron and
Of tin; lamps of every metal, from tho most
precious to the basest; lamps swing ng
from the roof, hung against the walls,
ranged in rows on steps OF porphyry. And
yet, curiously enough, jean Philippe could
distinguish tho shining Of each individual
lamp.
these" said Death, "aro the lamps of
all the nortais upon earth. When one of
Them goes out it means that some one up
above us is to be cut down."
"Curious-very. And the golden
lamps?"
"The golden lamps are kings and princes;
the silver ones arc dukes; the brazen ones
,.ro counts, and so on down to the small
tin lamps, which are the common people.
AL are lsbled, you see"
The farmer wandered up and down the
.allery for some time in ecstasy. He no.
iced that tho lamps Of many noble and
powerful lords, which might have been
,hought to be full of oil, were running low,
md that many Of the brightest lights were
IN the nearest sockets. When he had en-
joyed the spectacle long enough, he said to
Death:
Say, god papa, where are the lamps Of
Qaense- Raoult. if you have no objections
70 my seeing them?"
None whatever. In the first gallery,
third section; ch tbs LETT hand side"
While the former proceeded on his tour
, i Inspection, Death sat down and began
putting M edge on his scythe against tho
lays work. From time to time exclama-
tons of surprise or mer1iment came from
the gallery. Presently Jzan Philippe re-
appeared, looking decidedly astonished.
II say, Death, " he cried e2o;teGly, "1've
come to tell you tat my lamp is almost
out Of oil"
"Thst is likely enough" replied Death,
running his thumb along the blade.
The deaco you sayI Then it is pretty
near my time?"
Death nodded.
4 say, perhaps you are sharpening chat
scS the TO-
"precisely!" and Death gave scientific
shet to one part of the edge that seemed a
,:ihe dull.
ell" sid the farmer; then sliding up to the
mower, he went on, mysteriously: i say,
old boy you see consider you as one OF
the family: is there no way could snug
gle little oil into that lamp?"
"smnggle little oil into that lamp?
Why, what do you tai nae for2'
we 70 AlOue, you sce huu 1IOFlueAce IL
never suspect anything irregular"
Its against the rules. You had better
fall to your prayers, friend.
"Oh, but between old chums!"
"That's oil right; but fall to your prayers,
cn1ms as are"
AL care for is to hold over till Lent, so
that you and can have little NIardi- Gras
festival. tell you, sir, we'll have such a
time as you never saw; pancakes till You
can't rest, and beer-it'l bs my treat all the
time"
mo nonsense, friend. This scythe is
about ready
Merely drop or two. You can take
some from the big pot-beliied lamp Of the
parish priest of Conde-it's SO full that it's
f.iriy choking up the wick. Besides, it'll
let the good man enter upon his reward so
much the sooner, don't you seer"
"Imossible, friend; impossible. Last
week when you were in search of a goAfa-
cher you couldn't find one rigidly honest
man among all your acqraintances; luckily
you stumbled upon me. What's the con-
sequence? AS sooa as you have found q
just person you try to buy him up with q
miserable pot OF beer, You're queer
Christian, you are!"
Jean Philippe was about to mako some
reply when he heard faint crockle and
sort of sigh in the first gallery, third Sec
lion, left hand side.
His lamp had gone out.