Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-04-23
Death and the Soldier.

O0dU1 d110 Ul10 OO1Ol01s
A soldier who had won imperishablt
fame on the battle fields oehis country
was confronted by gaunt stranger, clat
all in black and wearing an impentrablt
mask.
"Who are you that you are to block
my way?" demanded the soldier.
The stranger drew aside his mask, ,anC
the soldier knew he was Death.
But Death held out his bony hand an(
beckoned to the soldier.
NO." cried the soldier, resolutely ;"my
time is not come. See, here are the his
tories that am writing-no hand bui
mine can finish them-I will not go til
they are done"
81 have ridden by your side day and
night" said Death. land have hoyered
about you on hundred battle-felds, but
ne sight of me could chill your heart till
now, and now hold you in my power
comep
And with these words Death seized
upon the soldier and strove to bear him
hence, but the soldier struggled so des-
perately that he prevailed against Death,
and the strange phantom departed alone
When he had gone the soldier found
upon his throat the imprint of Deaths
fingers so fierce had been the struggle.
And nothing could wear away the marks
nay, mot all the skill in the world could
wash them away, for they were disease.
lingering, agonizing, fatal disease. But
with quiet valor the soldier returned to
his histories, and for many days there
after he toiled upon them as the last
and best work of his noble life.
"How pale and thin the soldier is gett
ting" said the people. His hair is
whitening and his eyes are weary. He
should not have undertaken the history
the labor is killing him."
They did not know of his struggle
with Death, nor had they seen the
marks upon the soldiers throat. But
the physicians who came and saw the
marks of Deaths cruel fingers shook
their heads and said the soldier could
not live to complete the work upon
which his whole heart was set. And
the soldier knew it, too, and many time
he paused in writing and laid his pen
ooidn an6 hnVyoA hic hood his
hands. and strove for consolation in the
thought of the great fame be had all
ready won. But there was no consola>
tion in this. So when Death came
second time be found the soldier weak
and trembling and emaciated.
"It would be vain of you to struggle
with me now, said Death. "My poison
is in your veins, an my dew is on your
brow. But you are brave man, and l
will net bear you with me till you have
asked one favor, which will grant"
"Giye me an hour to ask the favor"
said the soldier. "There are so many
things-my histories and all-give me
an hour that may decide what shall
ask"
And as Death tarried the soldier COM
muned with himself. Before he closed
his eyes forever what boon should he
ask of Death And the soldiers thoughts
sped back over the years, and his whole
life came back to him like lightning
fiash-the companionship and smiles of
kings, the gloIies of government and po-
litical power, the hOnors of peace, the
joys of conquest, the sweets of a quiet
home life upon Western prairie, the
gentle devotion of a wife, the clamor of
noisy boys and the face of little girl
ah. there his thoughts fingered and
clung.
"Time to complete our work-our
books our histories" cOunseIed Ambi
tion. Ask Death for time to do this
last and crowning act of our great life"
But The soldiers ears were deaf to the
cries of Ambition: they heard another
voice the voice of the soldiers heart
and the voice whispered, Nellie, Nellie,
Nellie" That was all-no other words
but those, and the soldier strugr
gled to his feet and stretched forth
his hands, and called to Death; and,
hearing him calling, Death came and
stood before him.
"I have had my choice" said the sol
lier.
"The books?" asked Death, with
,cornful smile.
"No, not them," said the soldier, "but !
ny little girl-my Nellie! Give ME
case of life till have held her in these Il
arms, and then come for me and i will 7
,op' +
Then Details hideous aspect was b
his-stern features were relaxed
md "a Look of pity came upon them.
And Death said, at shall be So" and 9
aging this he went his way. .
Now the soldiers child was far away