“At length it happened that some one knocked at the door of his hut; Alvarus could not rise to open it; but he called out, ‘Whoever you are, lift up the latch and come in, for I am sick.’ It was his little nephew Nicholas, whose father and mother were poor industrious people, and who had often asked Alvarus to spare them a trifle, to put them into some little way of business, to make their way in the world; but he had always refused them: he would not part with a sixpence.
“The father and mother of Nicholas had, nevertheless, sent him to inquire after the health of his uncle: he was a fine little boy, with the colour of the carnation upon his cheeks, and with a brave open countenance.
“The old man surveyed him from head to foot. ‘What, Nicholas,’ cried he, ‘is it you? How are your father and mother? I am ill, Nicholas, very ill.’
“Nicholas asked if he could do any thing for his uncle? Alvarus began to reflect, ‘I might as well,’ said he to himself, ‘have no wealth, if I am to suffer illness without help or relief, and I shall perhaps die for want of medical assistance; yet who can I trust to seek for this money?’ He looked again at Nicholas; he saw honesty in his face—‘This boy,’ said he, ‘knows nothing of the world. I think that I need not be afraid to trust him. Nicholas, my dear Nicholas,’ said he, ‘I wish that you would seek for an old bag, which you will find in some corner or other; it is heavy, but what is in it is not of much use to any body, and you must not look into it upon any account.’ Nicholas answered in a very artless manner, that he would not look into it for the world, if his uncle forbid it. ‘Well then,’ said Alvarus, ‘go and look all about, and in every corner, as I have occasion for it.’
“Nicholas, who was a very clever and persevering lad, searched place after place, until at length, in a dark hole under the sink, he found the bag, and carried it immediately to his uncle. Alvarus was quite delighted, when he saw the bag unopened—‘That is a good boy,’ said he; ‘now then go for the doctor, and tell him to come to me, for that I am very sick indeed.’
“Nicholas ran all the way for the doctor, and when he returned, it was but reasonable to expect that old Alvarus would have given him a trifle of money; he however contented himself with giving him only thanks; and Nicholas was going home when the doctor entered.
“The doctor felt the miser’s pulse, and found him in a very bad way— ‘I am afraid it is too late,’ said he, ‘I should have been sent for before.’ He moreover told Nicholas that his uncle could not be left. Nicholas therefore promised to return, as soon as he had made his father and mother acquainted with the situation he had left him in; but the miser absolutely forbid him to bring them with him.
“Alvarus grew worse; the doctor gave him medicines, but in vain; when he thought it proper to tell him, that there were no hopes of his recovery, and advised him to settle his affairs without delay.
“Alvarus was very much affected at this news—‘What,’ said he, ‘have I been laying up hoard upon hoard only to leave it behind me? what enjoyment have I had? what delight has this world afforded me? I have been poor in the midst of riches, and have starved in abundance. I might have been happy myself, and I might have made others happy; I have neglected the opportunity; and before I have tasted refreshment, I expire on my journey.’