[Illustration: THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.]
A poor feeble old man who had crawled out into a neighbouring wood to
gather a few sticks, had made up his bundle, and, laying it over his
shoulders was trudging homeward with it; but, what with age, and the
length of the way, and the weight of his burden, he grew so faint and
weak that he sunk under it: and, as he sat on the ground, called upon
Death to come, once for all, and ease him of his troubles. Death no
sooner heard him, but he came and demanded of him what he wanted. The
poor old creature, who little thought Death had been so near, and
frighted almost out of his senses with his terrible aspect, answered him
trembling, that having by chance let his bundle of sticks fall, and
being too infirm to get it up himself, he had made bold to call upon him
to help him: that, indeed, this was all he wanted at present; and that
he hoped his worship was not offended with him for the liberty he had
taken in so doing.