The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-11-04
THE LAST CONTEST.

a soldier, who had won impcrisha-
bio fame on the battle-iields of his
country was confronted by gaunt
stranger clad all in black and wearing
an impcnctrablo mask.
"Who are you that you dare to
block my wayp" demanded tho sol.
dicr
Then tho stranger throw aside his
mask and tho soldier know that he was
Death.
"Havc you como for mcp" asked tho
soldier. "lf so, | will not 60 with you;
SO go your way alone"
But Death held out his bony hand
and bcckoned to the soldier
NO." cried tho soldier rcsolutely:
the histories | am writing-no hand
but mine can finish thcm-I will 90
when they are done"
81 have hidden by your sido day and
night" said Death; II have hovored
about you on n hundred battlc-iields,
but no sight of mo could chill your
heart till now, and now hold YOU in
my power. Come!''
Aud with these words Death seized
upon the soldier and strovc to boar
hlm hence, but tho soldier struggled SO
desperately that hc prevailed against
Dcath, and the strange phantom de-
parted alone. Then when he had gone
the soldier found upon his throat tho
imprint of Deaths cruel fingers-so
fierce had been tho struggle. And
nothing could wash them away, for
they were disease, lingering, agonizipg.
fatal disease. But with quiet Yalor l6e
soldier returned to his histories, and
for many days thereafter he toiled up
on them as the last and best work of
his noble life.
How thin and palo tho soldier is
getting" said tho people. 'His hair
Is whitening and his eyes arc weary.
lilo should not have undertaken tho
historics-the labor is killing him."
They did not know of this struggle
with Death, nor had they seen tho
marks upon the soldiers throat. But
the physicians who camo to him and
saw the marks of Deaths cruel fingers,
shook their heads and said the soldier
could not 1.-Two to complete his work
upon which his whole heart was set.
And the soldier knew it, too, and
many y timo he paused in his writing
and laid his pen aside and bowed his
head upon his hands, and strovc for
Ol
fame hc had already won. SO when
Death came Il second time he found
the soldier weak and trembling and
cmaciatcd.
lit would be vain for you to slrug-
gle with me now" said Death. my
poison IS in your veins. and see, my
dew is on your brow. But you are q
brave man and will not bear you with
me till you have asked one favor, which
will grant.
Give mo un hour 10 ask the favor"
said the soldier. "Thorc arc so many
things-my histories and all-givc mo
IN hour that may decide what shall
uskP"
And as Death tarricd. the soldier
communcd with himself. Before ho
closed his eyes forever what boon
should he ask Of DoathP And tho sol.
der's thoughts sped back over the years
and his whole life camo to him like
lightning flash the companionship and
smiles of kings, tho glories of govorn-
mcnt and political power, the honors
of peace. and joys OF conquest. the din
of battle, the sweets OF quiet homo
life upon western prairie. the gentle
devotion of wife, tho clamor of noisy
boys.ahd tho faco % n littlo girl-ah,
there, his thoughts fingered and clung.
"Time to complete our work-our
books--our historios," counscled am
bition. ASK Death for time to do
this last and browning act of our great
life"
But tho soldiers cars were deaf to
tho cries of ambition; thoy heard anoth-
or yoice-tho voice of tho soldiers
hoart--and the voice whispered "Nellio
-Nelle-~Nellic. That was all--no
other words but those, and tho soldier
struggled to his feet, and stretched
forth his hands and called to Death,
and hearing him calling, Death came
to him and stood before him.
~ have made my choice" said tho
soldier.
"Tho booksp" asked Death with
scornful smile.
mo, not them" said the soldier,
"but my little girl--my Nelliol Give
mo loase OF life till havo held hor in
these arms. and thon come for me and
will gol'
Then Deaths bidcous aspect was
ohanged; his stern features relaxed and
look of pity came upon them. And
Death said, at shall be so," and say
Ing this no went his way.
Now cssoldier's child was far away
many, many leagues from where the
soldier lived; beyond broad, tempest
eons ocean. She was not as you might
. auppose, little child, although the
soldier spoke of her as such. She was
wife and mother; yet even In her
womanhood sho was to the soldiers
heart the same little girl tho soldier
had held upon his knee many and
many time while his rough hands
weaved prairie flowers in her soft, fair
utrls. And tho soldier called for Nellie
aow. inat as lse did then. when shp sat
on his knee end praktied 81 her dolls.
4 This is sie way 81 the hunian heart