The Marshall republican., 1909-12-31
Death andLM
II Knon at CAyist7as
D, CLINTON DANcEREELD

what he really was uDmerciful,
exacting, swift to demand obedience
to a thousand laws. swift to punish
with the keen sword Of pain when
those laws were broken.
His eyes were the eyes Of a war.
lord; his hard as cold as iron-and as
strong.
The tasks he set were many. Few
OF these were t the liking OF the chill
dren of men, though some thinkers
perceived that out Of these heavy
tasks came strength. also that II one
wrestled with them stoutly one might
even master Life himself and compel
him to graciousness.
Now the other power-Death-was
q woman.
Tall she was, but SO perfectly
formed that her height was no blem-
isb. Sleepy.eyed she was. but her
slow, sweet smile was so infinitely
tender and lovely that in the midst Of
their tasks men stopped to gaze on
her as she passed
At last one Of the young men fol-
lowed her. She spoke to him-her
voice being that unspeakable music
which not even q violin can outsing-
and the young man returned into the
fields OF Life no more.
Then a little child. weary Of flower
gathering. pulled at her garments
hem, and all the workers held their
breath, waiting to see what Death
would do: for Life had painted her In
very evil colors.
But Death lifted the child and laid
her on her own deep bosom and sang
to her.
Az she sang the child slept. and an
exquisite smile fingered On its lips, as
though It's visions were very fair.
Then Death held out the child that
the workers might see. and cried:
"oh. 70 who labor, beset with un.
ending toll. see ye how l have blessed
the childf Never more shall the heat
OF summer rel her, nor the cold Of
winter! have made her deaf to sor.
row and unmoved by the vibrations ye
call Joy. Forever shall her brow go
unwrinkled. and because she hath
chosen me I will give her the key to
Heavens immortal gates"
And a worker cried: ,
Eye have blessed the child because
she was your chosen one?"
The cry was a question.
Said Death dreamily:
"As I gave the child peace. SO would
I give II to all who come to me-
trusting me wholly!"
Looking out across the blazing
fields she stretched her rounded arms
and cried: "Ye are all mine! Lover
Of souls am II"
And with one accord they threw
down. their tools and followed Ler into
a jat land, beyond the domain OF Life.
Now Life was vexed exceedingly by
the unfinished task. He went straight.
way to the Lord ano complained how
Death had led away part OF his work
ers.
Aud the Lord sent a great white
angel unto the remainder and forbade
them, through the angel, to hearken
unto Death until they could serve Life
no longer.
For the Lord knew that the stern
dominion Of Life must be, for the sake
of the men he hoped to complete.
But only a few, a very rev. Of the
children of men obeyed the angel. Let
Death but pass the t%oilers, and heI
beauty was SO great they continued to
desert their posts and follow after
her.
Then Life cried unto the Lord with
n great voice:
death seduces my s%ervants!"
And the Lord said:
Deal with Death as thou wilt"
Therefore Life seized on Death and
cut away her perfumed locks, and put
on her a painted mask, most hideous
to behold. And he sealed the lips oi
Death, saying, BE thou dumb, and be
thou no longer known as a woman
With this he cast over Deaths won
derful form a black mantle. like a pail
and on 1t Life painted:
"This Is the King Of Terrors."
Then he sent Death forth, and there
after whenever she came near the
workers they fed from her and CRIED
aloud unto Life:
Matters not how hard thy tasks, OF
dear Life, II thou wilt but save vi
from this frightful Death!"
And Life said unto the Lord;
Have / not done well?"
And he answered In exceeding sor
row:
Needs must thy work on Dsatl
stand. And this because Of the weak
ness Of men who were seduced by heI
beauty and who needed not my an
gels voice. Yet very differently has
I planned for my people. For in thu
beginning l set the loneliness Of Dealt
plainly before them, that they nigh
endure their tasks happily. knowing
how sweet the end would be. Blu
they have defeated my wisdom, o.
their own heads be it'll"
And Life went his way. satisfied
Tyhapanftar uhan a child nr man he