Morris tribune., 1882-03-16

silver, of copper and of brass. Of iron and
of tin; lamps CT every metal, from the 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 the shining Of each individual
lamp.
These, said Death, "are the lamps of
all the mortals upon earth. When one OF
them goes out il means that some one up
| above US is to be cut down."
"Ourious-Very. And the golden
lamps2"
"fhe golden lamps are kings and princes;
the silver once are dukes; the brazen ones
are counts, and so on down to the small
tin lamps, which are the common people.
All are labled. you see.
The farmer wandered up and down the
gallery for some time in ecstasy. He no.
liced that the lamps of many noble and
powerful lords, which might have been
| thought to be full of OIL were running low,
and that many of the brightest lights were
! in the meanest sockt IS. When he had en-
ioyed the spectacle long enough, he said to
Death:
Say, god papa, where are the lamps of
| Qaense. Raoult, if YOU have no objections
to my seeing them?"
None whatever, In the first gallery,
third section, On the left hand side"
| While the former proceeded on his tour
| Of inspection, Death sat down and began
putting an edge on his soythe against the
days work. From time to time exclama-
tlons of surprise or merriment came from
the gallery. Presently Jean Philippe re-
appeared, looking decidedly astonished.
| a say, Death, he cried exc.tedly, "I'ye
come to tell you that my lamp is almost
ont of oil"
"That is likely enough" replied Death,
| running his thumb along the blade.
The deuce yon say! Then it is pretty
near my timer"
Death nodded.
Il say, perhaps you are sharpening that
| scythe to---to--
PRECISELY" and Death gave scientific
"het TO one part OF the edge that seemed
tsihe dull.
Why, bless me, this is very unexpect-
ed!" said the farmer; then sliding up to the
mower he went on, mysteriously: Il say
old boy, you see consider you as one oi
the family; is there no way / could SNUG
gle little oil into that iamp?"
"Smuggle little oil into that lamp
Why, what do You taxi nae for?"
We're alone, you see, and ProvidenceI
never suspect anything irregular"
Its against the lules. You had better
fall to your prayers, friend"
"Oh, but between Old chumsi"
That's all right; but fall to your prayers
chums as We are"
"All l care for is to hold over till Lent, 81
that you and I can have Il little Mardi- Gra
festival. tell you, sir, we'll have such
time MS you never saw; pancakes till yor
can't rest, and beer-it'll be my treat all tn,
time.
mo nonsense, friend. This scythe ii
about ready"
Merely drop or two. You can tax,
some from the big pot-bellied lamp of tn
| parish priest of Conde-it's SO full that it
fairly choking up the wick. Besides, it'l
let the good man enter upon his reward 81
much the sooner, don't you see?"
"Imossible, friend; impossible. Las
week when you Were in search of u godfa
ther you couldn't find one rigidly homes
man among all your acquaintances; luekil
you stumbled upon me. What's the con
sequence As soon as you have found
just person you try to buy him UP with
miserable pot OF beer. You're quee
Christian, you are!'
Jean Philippe was aboat to make some
reply when he heard faint crackle and
sort of sigh in the first gallery, third sec
tion left hana side.
! His lamp had gone ont.