The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-05-24
CONTENT BETTER THAN WEALTH.


ait is vain to urge me, brother Rob
cit. Dat into the world must go. The
impulse is on me. | should die of lnac-
ton here"
"You need not be inactive, William,
There is work to do. | shall never be
idle"
"And such work !" exclaimed Viii
liam. "Delving in and groveling close
to tho very ground. And for what ?
Oh, no, Robert Ny ambition scars be-
You'd your quiet cottage in sheltered
vale My ambition Graves something
more than simple herbs and water fro m
the brook. have set my heart on at
tanning wealth and, where there is q
will, there is always way"
"Contentment is better than
wealth." SAID Robert.
"a proverb for drones," quoted Will
liam.
"No; il is an axiom for the WISE"
abe it for the wise or simple, as COM
monty understood, it is no guide for me.
As poor plodder along the way of life,
it was impossible for me to know con-
tent. SO urge me no farther, Robert. |
am going out into the world wealth
seeker; and not till gain it do [ pro-
pose to return"
"What Of Ellen, William 2"
The wording turned quickly towards
his brother, visibly disturbed, and fixed
his eyes upon him with earnest express
sion.
al love her as my life, he said with a
strong emphasis on his words.
ado you love wealth more than life,
William 2"
"Robcrtw
of you love Ellen as your life, and
leave her for the sake of getting riches,
then you must love money more than
life" and Robert spoke gravely.
"Don'l talk TO me after that fashion.
| cannot bear i'll exclaimed William.
al love Ellen tenderly and truely. !
am going forth as well for her sake as
my own. In all the good fortune that
comes as the need OF effort, she will be
q sharer."
"You will SEQ her before you leave
us?"
"No. l will neither pain her nor
myself by a parting interview. Send
ucT lillS lcLLcI
A few hours later, and the brothers
stood, with tightly grasped hands, gaz-
ing at each other.
"Farewe ell, Robertw
"Fare we'll, William. Think Of the
old homestead as still your home.
Though it is mine in tho division Of our
patrimony, let your heart come back to
il as yours and should fortune cheat
you with the apples OF the Dead Sea, re.
turn TO it again. It's doors will ever be
open, and its hearth fire bright as of old.
FarewellW
And they turned from each other, one
going out into the restless world, an ca
ger seeker for wealth and honors the
other to linger among the pleasant
places dear to him by every association
of childhood, there to fill up the meas
ure of his days-not IDLY, for he was no
drone in the social hive.
On the evening of that day two maid
ems sat alone, each in the sanctuary of
her own chamber. There was a. warm
glow on the checks of one, ard Glad !
light in her eyes. Pale was the other,
and wet her dropping lashcs. And she |
that sorrowod held an open letter in
her hand. 1t was fall of tender words, |
but the writer loved wealth moro than
the maiden, and had gone forth to seek |
the mistress of his soul. He would
"como back; )" bat when? All, what q !
veil of uncertainty was upon the future!
Poor stricken heart
The othor maiden-she of tho glowing
checks and dancing orbs-held also
letter in her hand. 1t was from the
brother of tho wealth seeker; and it
was full of loving words; and it said
that on tho morrow, be would como to
bear her rs a bride to his pleasant home.
Happy maiden!
Ten years ..havc passed. And what
of tho wealth-seckcr Has he won the
glittcring prize? What of tho wan-faccd
maiden no left in tears? Has ho re-
turned TO her? Does sho share now his
wealth and honor?
Not since tho day he went forth from
tho homo of his childhood has a word OF
Intelligence from the wander been re-
ceived and, to those he left behind him
he is as one who has passed the final
bourne. Yet be still dwelIs among the
living.
In far-off in sunny cline stands a
a stately mansion.
We will not lingcr to describe the cl
giant exterior, to hold up before the
readers Imagination picture of rural
beauty, exquisitely heightened by art;
but enter its spacious hall, and pass up
TO one Of its luxurious chambers.
Tho inmates, few in number, are
grouped around one on whose forehead
Times trembling finger has written the
word "Death." Over her bends''a manly
form. There-his face is towards you
All! you recognize William the wanderer
the wealth seeker.
What does he here? What 10 him is
the dying one? His wife. And has he
then forgotten the maiden whose dark
lashes lay wet on her pale-cheeks tor
many hours after she read his parting
words?
He had not forgotten her but been
false to her. Eagerly songh; the prize,
to contend for which he went forth.
"