1852.] 
TALE ABOUT DEATH. 
387 
invited accordingly, and came ; and after the ceremony 
and the feast were over, as he was going away, the man 
said to him, ‘ Compadre Death, as there are plenty of 
people in the world for you to take, I hope you will 
never come for me.’ ' Really, Compadre,’ replied Death, 
^ I cannot promise you that, for when God sends me for 
anybody I must go. However, I will do all I can, and 
I will at all events promise you a week’s notice, that 
I you may have time to prepare yourself.’ Several years 
, passed on, and Death at last came to pay them a visit. 
!i ‘ Good evening, Compadre,’ says he, ' I’m come on a 
disagreeable business : I have received orders to fetch 
j you this day week, so I’m come to give you the notice I 
I promised you.’ ^ Oh ! Compadre,’ said the man, " you’re 
' come very soon ; it’s exceedingly inconvenient for me to 
! go just now, I’m getting on very nicely, and shall be a 
rich man in a few years, if you will but let me alone : 
ij it’s very unkind of you, Compadre ; I’m sure you. can 
arrange it if you like, and take some one else instead of 
me.’ ‘ Very sorry,’ said Death, ‘ but it can’t be done, 
I no-how : I’ve got my orders, and I must obey them. 
I' Nobody ever gets off when the order ’s once given, and 
I very few get so long a notice as I’ve been able to give 
I: you. However, I’ll try all I can, and if I succeed, you 
‘ won’t see me this day week ; but I don’t think there’s 
j any hope, — so good bye.’ 
!| When the day came, the man was in a great fright, 
I for he did not expect to escape ; his wife however hit 
; upon a plan, which they resolved to try. They had an 
I old Negro man in the house, who used to be generally 
employed in the kitchen. They made him exchange 
j c c 2 
