The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-11-12
THE LAST CONTEST.

A soldier, who had won imperisha-
country was confronted by gaunt
stranger clad all in black and wearin g
an impenctrablc mask.
"Who arc you that you dare to
block my wayP" demanded tho SOL
dier.
Then tho stranger threw aside his
mask and the soldier knew that no was
Death.
"Have you como for mcP" asked the
soldier. IF so, will not go with you;
so go your way alone"
But Death held out his bony hand
and beckoncd to the soldier
NO." cried tho soldier, rcsolutoly;
''my time is not come See, here arc
tho histories l am writing-no hand
but mino can finish thcm--I will 90
when they arc DONE"
Il have hidden by your side day and
night" said Death; Il have hovered
about you on a hundred battlc-tields,
but no sight of me could chill your
heart till now, and now L hold YOU in
my power. Comon'
And with these words Death seized
upon tho soldier and strovo to bear
him hence, but the soldier struggled so
desperately that he prevailed against
Death, and tho strange phantom de-
parted alone. Then when he had gone
the soldier found upon his throat the
imprint of Deaths cruel fingors-so
fierce had been the struggle. And
nothing could wash them away. for
they were disease, lingering, agonizing,
fatal disease. But with quiet Yalor the
soldier returned to his histories, and
for many days thereafter he toicd up-
on them rs tho last and bost work OF
his noble life.
How thin and pale tho soldior is
getting" said tho people. His hair
Is whitening and his eyes are weary.
He should not have undertaken the
historics-thc labor is killing him."
They did not know Of this struggle
with Death, nor had they seen the
marks upon the soldiers throat. But
the physicians who came to him and
SAW the marks of Deaths cruel fin GERS.
shook their heads and said the soldier
could not live to complete his work
upon which his whole heart was set
And the soldier knew it, too, ana
many time he paused in. his writing
and laid his pen aside and bowed his
head upon his hands, and strovo for
consolation i'll the thought Of tho great
fame he had already won. SO when
Death came second time he found
the soldier weak and trembling and
Cmaciatcd.
at would be vain for YOU 20 strug-
gle with me now," said Death. My
poison is i'll your veins, and see, my
dew is on your brow. But you arc q
brave mm and | will not bear you with
me till you have asked ono tavor, which
will grant"
''G!Vc me an hour 20 ask the favor, "
said the soldier. "rharo nrc so many
an hour that may decide what shall
askP"
And rs Death tarricd, the soldier
communcd with himself. Before he
closed his eyes forever what boon
should he ask of DoathP And the sol,
dicr's thoughts sped back over the years
and his whole life camo TO him like g
lightning flash. he compnnionship and
smiles OF kings, the glorios of govern,
mcnt and political power, tho honors
of fpeacc, and joys Of conquest, the din
OF battle, the sweets OF 4 quiet home
life upon Il western prairie, tho gentle
devotion ot-a wife, the clam0r Of noisy
boys and the, face Of little girl-ah,
there his thoughts fingered and clung.
limo to complete our work oul
books-out histories" c0unsclcd am.
bition. ASK Death for time to dc
tins last and crowning act of our great
life"
! But the soldiers ears wcro deaf to
the cries Of ambition; they heard anoth,
er Voicc--thc voice Of tho soldiers
heart-and the voice whispered "Nellie
-Nclllo-NCllic." That was all-nC
othcf Words but those, and the soldier
struggled TO his feet, and stretched
1orth his hands and called 10 Death,
ana nearing him calling, Death came
10 nm and stood before him,
soldier, ''''>' '"'
The booksp" asked Death with q
scornful smile.
"No,, not thom," said tho soldier
''but MY little girl--my Nelliot Give
me q lease of life till 'hnvo hold her in
these arms, and then como for mo and
will go!' O.. -"
Thon Deaths hideous aspect was
changed; his stern features relaxed and
look Of pity camo upon them. And
Death said, at shall DO so," and say.
ing this ho went his way.
Now the soldiers child was far away
IN any, many leagues from whero the
soldier lived; beyond broad, tempest.
uor1" ocean. She was not rs you might
SUI lose, n. littlc child, although tho
So dier spoke OF hor as such. She was
'Yife and inothor; yet even in her
wPmanhOod she was to tho soldiers
heart tho samc little girl tho soldicr
had, hold upon. his knee many and
many d time while his rough hands
WPeayed prairie flowers in nor soft, fair
crirls' And tho soldior called for Nellie
now, just rs llo did then, when sho sat
on his knee and prattlod of her dolls.
This is tho way of the human heart.
L.. -. l. Il