The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-05-03
A BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT.
The Yonng Man, Death and the
Three McSsen1ers,

Young man was sitting in his little cot
tage, talking with his wife as to their
future. He was poor as to money, but
had the wealth of a good and strong
constitution, and able and willing to
work. He was blest with good mind,
and full of energy and industry. Sit
ting in his lap was his little son who
| had not numbered his first twelve
months. The young mother was busy
with her needle. Just then knock
was heard ut the front door, and cor
dial and free invitation was given to
come in. A neighbor, thought the
young couple. But much to their
alarm in walked Death. Fixing his
eyes upon The young man, he said, in
an authoritative manner:
"Ioung man, [ have come for you,
and shall make you a citizen of my 81
lent kingdom"
Have mercy" exclaimed the young
man. "You have mistaken the house !;
and certainly must have come for my
old and rich neighbor whom you have
permitted to journey on life's course,
over his three score years and ten. 60
take him, and spare me-"
| make no mistakes. l came for you.
I respect neither age, circumstances
nor condition. Come go"
Said the young man in terror and
despair:
Let me reason with you! Let me
plead my case! Hear my petition for
a longer life"
Death said:
"Speak on and let me hear your case.
[ do sometimes relent, for season, at
least"
Said the young man.
"In the first place, I think you have
come too soon for me. | have just
started. life, and there you see my
young wife, and here in my lap our
little babe. Would you make her a
widow so soon, and my babe father
less: Besides, here is my little home
I have just bought; my prospects In
life are fair and inviting. Would you
blight all III moment ? | am young,
strong and healthy, and 1 thought
had good many years yet ahead OF
me are my hopes to be thus blasted.
Let ME mature my plans, and see my
boy grow up to mans estate, 30 that he
will be able to take care of his mother
aud the last, but not the least, reason l
have Is this:
II have not made that preparation |
should have made for so important 9
Journey as you would send me OIL. L
have neglected my souls greatest in
terest, in looking at and thinking of
my temporal. / am unprepared for
you, o, Death Neither am ready to
meet my Creator" .
Death arose from where he sat and
said.
"Young man, you have stated your
case AMI condition fairly, and with
good reasons; I will leave this time
without you, hut mark me we'll, will
return at some future day, but will
hear no reasons-you must then 60:
But before 1 come again will send
you three messengers-eachw will tell
you am coming; take care that you
heed them."
81 will !" exclaimed the young man
land thank you for your kindness in
now going, and your generous consid-
Grafton in sending me notice."
Time rolled on, The young man
grew to middle age and in time old age
came upon him. His life bad been q
success so far as to the accumulation of
wealth and of comfort and luxuries.
Affiuence. children and grandchildren
had blessed his declining years.
One pleasant evening, sitting at his
ease and comfort in his elegant home,
with little grandson playing about
him, he heard ring at the door bell.
Too old and stiff to 60 to the door, he
called the visitor to step IN. In stepped
Death.
"What!" exclaimed the old man
"cOme so sOOn."
"Yes," answered Death, who, eyeing
his old acquaintance, added IL have
come for you, as promised"
promised ~ said the old man.
"Yes, you promised to warn me before
hand by sending me three messengers
before you yourself would come in FER
son and have not seen of one them."
II sent Them" said Death, land If
you did not heed them, it was not my
fault"
"Nhen did you send your messen-
gers, for 1 have not the faintest recol-
lection of their corning?" rejoined the
old man.
~ sent them, answered Death; "and
if they came quietly and gently re-
minded you in looks and touches, you
should have needed their silent but yet
expressive admonitions."
"Explain yourself" said the old
man. I" "for ] do not understand. You
talk in riddles or fables"
"Easily enough done." said Death.
"When l first came you were young
man your hair was black as a ravens
wing-now it is grey, and your locks
are thinned by age. That was my first
messenger. Those eyes of yours were
bright and undimmed by age; now l
see you use glasses 10 aid your falling
sight. That was my second messenger.
That form of yours was stout and
strong, unbent by years now you tot
ter as you walk and lean upon your
cane for support. That was my third
messenger. Your babe whom saw in
your lap. has grown to mans estate
and is himself father and your grand
children remind you that your years
have not been few"
"But hear me-" said the man, "what
you have said is very true; but my
cares and business affairs, have been 80
great that have neglected to make
preparation for so important and seri-
Gus a journey. have made no prepa-
ration to meet you, o, Death though l
knew you were coming at some future
day, but not so soon. l am not pre-
pared to meet my Creator and Judge
now. Give me little more time-just
few years more, will you not?"