The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-05-06
Death and the Weaver.

who had six children, and was very poor.
| But his wife bore still another child, and
he wondered whom he should ask to be
godfather to the boy. "You must get a
rich man." said his wife, "who can help
the poor little thing, for the dear son
comes in our house sooner than any
bread"
eyes," said her husband, "but rich
men have hard hearts," However, he
went to a wealthy farmer and mado
known his request The latter treated
him roughly and said he had enough
godchildren. and did not want this child;
-"he should go to his equals" and so
pushed him away. Then the weaver
went to a poor man. But he said that
he could not find bread and clothes for
his own family, much less christening
present for another mans child; che
must go to rich people;" and he also
pushed him off.
Then the weaver was very sorrowful,
and complained against God and man.
In passing through forest on his home
ward way, he tore his hair in grief and
cried out that he did not wish to live
longer in such hard world; would that
Death might come and take him away
AS lie said this man came up to him,
wrapped in a long black mantle, and
wherever ne trod, the grass and flowers
turned yellow and the leaves became
withered and fell from the trees to the
ground. This was Death. he placed
himself before the weaver, saying, "You
have called me. What is your wish 2"
The affrighted weaver pulled off his hat,
bowed low and answered, Yesterday my
wife bore me son and no one will be his
godfather, neither rich nor poor; so l
called upon you as the poor mans friend
to stand godfather to my child" ooh, I
am willing" said Death; tomorrow,
after the evening bells, bring the boy to
the church and 1 will be there to stand
sponsor"
The weaver did as he was bidden, and,
as they stood around the font, Death ap-
peared, held the child during the bap-
tism and gave him the name of Anas-
tatius. He told the pastor that he was
travelling doctor, and had done this
from special friendship to the poor man.
After coming from the church to the
weayer's house, Death took the latter
aside and said, My good fellow, you are
doubtless expecting christening present
but I have neither gold nor silver, be-
cause men come to me, leaving everything
behind, as poor and naked as they are
born; however, 1 will teach you some
thing of great value, by which you can
make much money. The pastor thinks
that am doctor; now you must tell
everyone that I have instructed you in
that art and given you medicine of
great power Whenever you visit a
patient, open your eyes and you will al
ways see me sitting by the sick man,
either at the head or foot of the bed. If
1 am sitting at lis head, you are to say
that all skill is in vain, his illness is
mortal, and then go your way, for he will
most surely die But if am sitting at
his feet, then tell the patient you can GER
tainly cure him, however dangerous his
sickness may be. Give him anything
you wish and your fame will be great, as
he will live" With these words Death
went his way.
The weaver was very we'll pleased and
the next day he proclaimed himself
doctor; but the people only laughed and
would not believe him.
Now it happened that the mayor of the
village fell from high tree and was
brought home dangerously wounded. BE
suffered intensely, and, after few days
the doctor declared the end to have
come; be must die; and throughout the
home there was great lamentation and
weeping. The weaver, too, came into the
house, and seeing his godfather sitting at
the foot of the bed, cried out, "Why these
doctors are fools; they do not know my
remedy, and they are letting the man die
miserably. What will you give me if l
cure him."
The mayors wife promised him great
reward. Whcreupon the weaver gave
the sick man a little water to drink, in
which he had squeezed some hurtle.ber.
ries; aud the latter was cured beyond all
expectation, and the weaver received his
money. The same thing happened with
other sick people, who recovered.
Now the rich farmer who had refused
to become the child's godfather was also
iadisposed; but because he did not think
himself very i'll and was also miser, he
would not have any doctor summoned,
but sent after the weaver. When he ap-
peared the farmer said to him, "You can
easily make masterstroke here, for there
is nothing much the matter. We have
been butchering and 1 have overeateu; ;
but you might give me your little drink;
if it is of no good, at least it will do no
HARM" But the weaver saw Death sit
ting at the head and answered, "My
friend, no drink in the world can help
you, or any remedy of mine; no herb
grows to oppose Death. Put your house
in order for you must die" The farmer
laughed at this, sent for the doctors, who
told him to be of good courage, in three
days he would be like fish in water.
But on the third day he was buried.
Then the weaver's fame as miraculous
doctor resounded throughout the whole
country and in good time he was rich
man, built new house and said to his
wife, "Dear Elsie, must become as
wealthy as count"
And now he was sent for by rich lord
who had a magnificent castle, beautiful