Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-31
GOLDEN ISLAND.

of isyeloping manhood and Independence,
wants t. learn trade The village in which
the bows parents lived was but small one,
and outside Of the tailor and the shoemaker
there we're no tradesrnen living there Al
tfs, rest OF the f.sn Roberts father among
them. were farmers Now. Robert dad not
ike the life OF farmer. 1t was toe quiet
and too much Ike slavery TO him Not that
he tiszpiseti II farmer. however Ne vas
good son and lie loved his father dearly But
Robert was OF an enterprtsing, active diSpo-
sition, and the uneventful existence Of
farmer did not suit his restless character
When his school time was over, therefore,
he resolved to learn u trade He did not
know which one he would like best. he
meant TO find that out after awhile. SO one
beautiful morning he packed his valiss with
the most necessary things a man wants when
he goes on long journey, then he went TO
his father and mother AMI bid them good-by
Where are you gong, Booertf BOTH ex-
clainiel. with establishment, as they saw the
Young man standing before them, equipped
for a journey.
Il am going away to learn trade, he re-
piled This place Is too small for me, and
there il nothing TO do here for boy a am
am going into the city for couple of years,
=
and fortune for myself.
The old people saw that their son was de
termined. and they thought it better to let
him have his way. so they wished him god
speed and good luck. and told him not TO for
get his parents and come back after some
time Robert promised that and then de
parted
He had'traveled for many day and many
a month but still he had not found the bust
ness he liked He had been working with
several masters. hut somehow or other Rob
ert grew tired Of lis job and left. One day
he was sitting on the bank of "A beautiful
lake and noticed boat gliding over the
smooth surface of the waters. There was
man sitting in the boat who was featherins
the oars in leisurely manner, while the boat
continued to float noiSelessly along Robert
looked at the man and his boat for long time,
when he inurinured to himself:
well. now, rowing must be the most
pleasant thing IN the world. The man seems
to enjoy the fun amazingly. | wonder
whether he would allow me to have a row
with him will call him and hear what he
has to say
He shouted out and beckoned the man IL
the boat toward him. When the owner Of
the boat heard Robert he came ashore and
invited him to accompany him While the
oars were dipping the water and the boat
was quietly moving along over the beautiful
lake Robert told the man all about himself
$50 you did not ike to be a farmer: what
would you like 10 do then' Have you not
been able to find n trade suitable at allf'
mo, sir replied the young man, II have
not been able to find job that would like.
What | have to complain Of most i that
everything seems to he hard work, and
don't like that | would be glad to learn
anything where | had the opportunity TO
make lot OF money without any trouble and
exertion But hard work do not like; it
makes me tired so quick
"Oh. OH SAID uhe boatman, that is the
way you feel about the matter You are
lazy, should say Look here, my boy, any
trade is a good one, if you only work at il
hard enough. and With an earnest iut -ntion
to make success. All work is equally on
nobling to tue man who labors honestly and
diligently Now, think it will be very
good thing for you if give you a lesson that
will be of service to you all your life The
boatmap had no more than uttered these
words when Robert suddenly noticed that
the boat began TO roll and to pitch The
young man anXiously grasped at the side of
his seat to prevent himself from falling into
the water. But the motion of the boat in
creased more or more The waves ran over
each other and rolled up mountain high. 1t
was too much for Robert; he could not hold
himself any longer, for an immense wave
came with terrific force against the side Of
the boat 1t turned over and the young man
fell into the lake soon the waters swallowed
him up, aud they closed in over him ike a lid
on a box.
Inconsistencies overcame him Immediately
after he fell into the water. and he awoke
again. and. to his utter astonshment, found
himself on dry land # was peculiar place,
the young man thought The ground was
hard and rocky, but still there were lots of
trees growing everywhere A beautiful light
shoue over all the land. but where it came
from Robert could not imagine The sky
above was as blue as tic azure heavens that
expanded over the beautiful fields around his
native village But h. could not see a sun or
a moon. or even a star above him. The young
man was bewildered He stood and looked at
his surroundings rs If he were enchanted or
dreaming.
Suddenly he was awakened from his rev
erie by the approach of three men, all dressed
in red clothes. with black turhanA on their
heads Neither of them spoke a word. They
walked straight up to Robert, and while one
of them took hold of him by the neck the
others caught him by the legs. Then they
carried him away, and all the resistance and
expostulation on the young prisoners part
was in vain The three men held him
tightly as if his limbs were screwed in vise
and did not stop until they came to a large
building. This structure was of wood but
in front stood n very comfortable chair, in
which Robert noticed the boatman with
whom he had been rowing on the lake not
long ago He lifted his hand to the three
men and they stood still before him
Now put the stranger down. he COM
manded Of the three in red, and when Robert
stood on the ground the man in the chair
beckoned him 10 come forward.
Young man." he said, you have told me
that you do not like work, but you are fond
OF lots OF money, You shall have just what
you want, and | hope you will enjoy it"
After he had spoken he made another sign
to the three III red, and again they took hold
OF him and carried him away. None of them
ever spoke to him They continued their
walk quietly, but at a good pace At last
they arrived at a broad river. where they
found n boat moorei Tie three nien car
ried Robert into the bait then they pushed
off and in few moments were gliding over
the waters
Where are you taking me to r inquired
the young man Of the three mysterious look
ing boatrnen, but they id not take the
slightest notice of his question. They con-
tiuued rowing as if they had not heard any
thing
If yon do not tell me where we are going
will jump into the water and drown my
self" shouted Robert. and he got up to get
ready for Temp into the river but before be
could accomplish anything one of the oars
men caught him by the neck. threw him into
the bottom of the boat and tied him TO one
Of the seats He realized now that be had
better keep quiet and resign himself to his
fate About half an hour elapsed, when sud-
denly the boat stopped, Phe three men pulled
their oars into the boat One of them un-
loosened Robert, then the three took hold Of
him and lifted him out of the boat on to
shore The next minute they pushed of
again and Robert was left alone.
He looked around and found that he was
standing on solid gold At first he could
and examined the ground True enoGShl-
he exclaimed. "All pure gold"
Then he went along to see whether 1t was
everywhere the same. The result Of his in
vestigation proved this Robert was on an
island about two miles square composed of
solid gold. The surface was as smooth as a
table. Not tree grew anywhere, In fact
Robert saw nothing but the sky above him.
gold beneath him He walked somewhat
farther into the island when he came u. a