The Worthington advance., 1882-03-16

silver, OF copper and Of brass. Of iron and
| Of tin; lamps Of every metal, from the most
! precious to the basest: lamps swing Bg
from the roof. hung against the walls,
ranged In rows on stops Of porphyry. And
yet. curionsly enough. joan Philippe could
distinguish the shining Of each individual
lamp.
these, said Death. ARE the lamps OF
| all the mortals upon earth. When ono Of
| them goes out it meaus that come ono mp
above as is to be cut down."
"Cnrions-very. And the golden
Iamps?"
"The golden lamps are kings and princes:
the silver once are dukes; the braZen ones
| ufe counts, and SO on down to tho small
| tin lamps, which are the common people.
All are Inbled you see"
The farmer wandered up aud down the
cutlery for some time in ecstasy. lie no
,icod that tao lamps OF many noble and
| powerful lords, which might have been
| thought to be full OF oil, were running low,
| md that many OF the brightest lights We're
! III tho lrealcst sockets. When he had on
| joyed the spectacle long enough, he said to
| Death:
Say, god. pnpa, where are the lamps Of
Quel.se- Ruonlt. if YOU have no objections
to my seeing them"
None whatever. In the FIRST gallery,
third section, Oh tho left hand side"
While the former proceeded on his tonr
Of inspection. Death sat down and began
putting An edge on his scythe against the
| days work. From time to time exclunla-
| tons OF surprise or nerliment came from
| the gallery. Presently Jean Philippe re-
appeared, looking decidedly astonished.
Il say, Death, he cried sxcltedly, "I'Ve
| come to tell yon that my lamp is almost
| out OF oil"
THAT is likely enough replied Death,
| RAINING his thumb along the blade.
This deuce yon say! Then it is pretty
hear my time?"
Death nodded.
4 say. perhaps you are sharpening that
Scythe tC-~-to--"
! "frecisely!" and Death gave scientific
~het to one part OF the edge that seemed a
t:iile dull.
! why, bless me, this il very une1psct-
eA!" said the farmer: then sliding up to the
lnower, he went on. mysterionRly: Il say,
old boy, yon sec consider you as one OF
the family; is there no way could snug.
gle a little oil into that lamp?".
"Smugg!e little oil into that lamp?
! Why what do you taA' lAe for?"
We're alone, you scr. and PrOvidencell
never suspect anythin. irregular"
Its against the n.les. You had better
fall 10 yorr prayers, friend.
"Ob, but between old cliums!"
"That's all right: bnt fall to your prayers,
chumS as We arc.
"All l care for is to hold over till Lent, 80
that you and can have Il little Mardi- Gras
festival. I tell you sir. We'll have such a
time It's sou never saw pancakes till you
can't rest, and Deer-it'll be my treat all the
| time"
"So nonsense, friend This zcythe is
about ready.
Merely drop or two. You can take
some from the big pot b6llied lamp of the
parish priest or Condeit's SO full that it's
fairly choking up the wick Besides, it'll
let the good man enter upon his re ward SO
much the sooner dom, you see?"
"lmossible, friend; impossible. Last
week when YOU wero in search Of godfa-
ther you couldn't find one rigdly honest
man among all your acYnaiuances; luckii y
you stumbled npon me. What's the con.
sequence: AS soon ~ you have found a
just person You try to buy him up with a
miserable pot OF beer. You're queer
| Christian, you ure!"
Jean Philippe Was abo.t to make some
reply when ho heard 4 faint crackle and a
sort OF sigh il the first gallery, third sec.
tion. left hand side.
His lamp had gone ont.