J. H. Stickney

The Old Man and Death

A N OLD Laborer, bent with age and toil, was gathering brush in a forest. Growing tired and hopeless, he threw down his bundle and cried out: "I can bear this no longer! If only Death would come and relieve me!"

As he spoke Death came and asked him what it was that he wanted. "Pray, good sir," replied the Man, "do me but the favor to lift this bundle of sticks to my back.