Daily globe., 1882-07-09
GODFATHER DEATH.

Once upon time there dwelt stout
and jovial farmer, by name Jean Phil
ippe, at the hamlet of Quesne- Raoult,
about four bowshots from Conde-sur-
l'Escant. He had a wife and twelve
sons, solld, chunky lads all of them, and
he himself, though his hair was griz-
zling, was straight as a poplar.
In the year of grace, no matter what,
his wife presented him with thirteenth
boy as New Years gift, boy that did
not give any sign of resembling his ro-
bust brothers.
"You are as thin as cat In May,
poor little fellow" said his father, "and,
beside, you have drawn an unlucky
namber in the lottery of life; but there
is one way to conjure evil fortune away
from you, and that is to give you just
and honest man for godfather. That
will be easy enough to do"
But when he sat down and began to
run over the list of his friends and neigh
bors he found that the task was not such
an easy one after all. One man had tried
to swindle him out of four feet of land;
another had killed his hens; third had
cheated him at cards one Sunday as they
were playing at the tavern after vespers.
So he rejected all the dwellers in the
hamlet, and then all his acquaintance
at Conde and the notables thereof yea,
even the Justice of the Peace and the
priest, the former because he had decid-
cd against Jean Philippe in case about
chism he had given the first place in the
class to the Burgomaster's son, who,
saving your presence, was not only not
so bright as Jean Philippe's own hoy,
but was indeed an ass.
II.
"It is not so easy atask as thought,
said the farmer, with sigh, and, taking
counsel with his wife, he resolved that,
as there seemed to be no honest nell in
that part of the country, he should take
his staff and go in search of one. So he
set forth on his pilgrimage, and present
ly-of course it was at midnight, and as
he was passing through a lonely wood
he met man who, by the pale light of
the stars, seemed to him as tall and thin
as hop-pole, and who was carrying a
scythe as long as himself.
Whoever you may be, good man."
said the farmer. halting this strange
figure, "lend me pipeful of tobacco
Ny pouch is empty"
Without word the mower drew forth
a tobacco pouch to the farmer, who,
while filing his pipe, had an opportuni-
ty OF examining the strangers appear
He was Strengthening man, if ne was
a man at all his head was bald and
shining; his eyes were small and sunk
en-; his nose was flat. and his mouth
immoderately large, showing o few grin
ming teeth. His cheeks were hollow,
and his skin was like parchment, and
when he moved his joints cracked like
swinging sign.
"Thank you, friend" said Jean Phil
ippe, returning the pouch. "The now
ing business does not seem to be very
paying one, to judge from your looks
you are leaner than tithe hen. Take
care Of yourself, you had better, if you
want to make old bones."
Don't worry yourself, friend my
old bones will see yours under the
ground"
And the old mans little eyes sparkled
like sprinkle of salt cast into the fire.
III.
"What are you doing out of doors al
this time of night? ?" he continued, ques-
tioning the farmer.
"Well, you see, my wife has just been
brought to bed of thirteenth boy, and,
as the little thing is only skin and bone,
I have wished to see If I couldn't better
his luck by giving him a just man
for godfather. Now, I have been three
days and three nights on the search
and"
"And haven't found one %
And haven't found one. I didn't
think righteous folk were so scarce"
Suppose you take me ?" said the
mower, with grin intended for a
smile.
g You? Are you an honest man
Well, yes, you look lean and poor, and
SO perhaps you are. But what is your
name q
death I"
death? The deuce And SO that
IS the scythe that you"
Precisely! That is the scythe that
"Hum ! After ALL" said the farmer,
refectively, 81 don't see that I could do
any better. Death is just. His scythe
cuts down impartially the rich and the
poor, the great and the humble. Shake
hands on it, godpapa, and I'll answer
that the christening shall be worthy of
the sponsor"
every good When is it to be?''
"On Sunday next. at Quesne- Raoult.
Inquire for Jean Philippe, the farmer;
any one will show you the house"
ga bargain. Good night, friend !"
Good night, Death !"
".
Jean Philippe went home with light
heart. "Wife," said he, "I've secured
famous godfather, and if he only takes
an interest In the child, it won't die
teething." But as women, particularly
when Ill, are apt to be easily alarmed
and upset, he did not enter into any fur
ther explanation.
When Sunday came round Jean Phil
ippe donned his bottle-green velvet
breeches, his silver -buckled shoes and
his camlet waist-coat, to do honor to the
distinguished godfather. His wife and
the boys, and the godmother as well,
were arrayed in their Sunday best. In
due course the godfather arrived wear
ing long coat that tapped about him
like the sail round the mast of wrecked
ship. He was universally voted lean and
elderly but it was admitted that he had