Wichita eagle., 1889-06-14
GOLDEN ISLAND. /

mother lived, and ne was now or an age when
q healthy and strong boy, with a true spirit
of developing manhood and Independence,
wants 70 learn trade. The village in which
the boys parents lived was but small one,
and outside Of the tailor and the shoemaker
there were no tradesmen living there AL
the rest Of the men, Roberts father among
them, were farmers Now. Robert did not
Ike the Life Of farmer. It was too quiet
and too much like slavery to him Not that
he despised farmer. however. He was q
good son and he loved his father dearly. But
Robert was Of an enterpriSing, active dispo-
sition, and the uneventful existence Of a
farmer did not suit his restless character.
When his school time was over, therefore,
he resolved to learn a trade. He did not
know which one he would like bes-. He
meant to find that out after awhile. So one
beautiful morning he packed his valise with
the most necessary things a man wants when
he goes on q long journey; then he went to
his father and mother and bid them good-by.
where are you going, RobertT both en-
claimed, with establishment, as they saw the
.-oung 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 is nothing 20 do here for boy as | am
/ am going into the city for couple Of years,
where | can learn trade and make a name
and fortune for myself"
The old people saw that their son was de-
terminei, 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 Travelled for many day and many
O month, but still he had not found the bust
ness be liked. He had been working with
several masters but somehow or other Rob
ert grew tired Of lis job and left One day
he was sitting on the bank OF q beautiful
lake and noticed a boat gliding over the
smooth surface OF the waters. There was a
man sitting In the boat who was feathering
the oars in a leisurely manner, while the boat
continued to float noiselessly along. Robert
looked at the man and his boat for long time,
when be murmured to himself:
well, now, rowing must be the most
pleasant thing in the world The man seems
10 enjoy the fun amazingly. | wonder
whether he would allow me to have a row
with him l will call him and hear what he
has 70 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 lin 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.
80 you did not like 10 be a farmer; what
would You like TO do theni Have you not
been able TO find a trade suitable at allT'
No, sir" replied the young man. II have
not been able to find job that would like.
What | have TO complain of most Is that
everything seems to be hard work, and
don't Ike that | would be glad TO learn
anything where | had the opportunity TO
make lot Of money without any trouble and
exertion- But hard work l do not like; it
makes me tired SO quick"
"Ohl obi" said the 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 intention
TO make a success All work is equally en-
nobling TO the man who labors honestly and
diligently. Now, think it will be a very
good thing FOR you if give you lesson that
will be of service to you all your life. " The
boatman 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 10 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. and they closed in over him ike a LID
on a box.
Inconsistencies overcame him Immediately
after be fell into the water, and he awoke
again. and, 70 his utter establishment, found
himself on dry land 1t was a peculiar place,
the young man thought The ground was
hard and rocky, but still there were lots of
trees growing everywhere \ beautiful light
shone over all the land, but where it came
from Robert could not magma The sky
above was as blue as the azure heavens that
expanded over the beautiful fields around his
native village. But be could not see O sun or
a moon, or even star above him. The young
man was bewildered He stood and looked at
his surroundings as IL he were enchanted or
dreaming
Suddenly he Yves awakened from his rev
erie by the approach Of three men, all dressed
in red clothes, with black turbans on their
heads Neither Of them spoke word. They
walked straight up to Robert, and while ons
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 as
tightly as IL his limbs were screwed in wise,
and did not stop until they came TO a large
building. This structure was of wood, but
In front stood a very comfortable chair, In /
which Robert noticed the boatnau with /
whom he had been rowing on the lake not
long ago. he lifted his hand TO the thres I
men and they stood still before him
Now put the stranger down." he COM 4
n,anded Of the three in red, and when Robert .
stood on the ground the man In the chair .
beckoned him TO come forward
Young man. be 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 viii enjoy il"
After he had spoken he made another sign /
to the three in red. and again they took hold +
OF him and carried him away. None Of them
ever spoke 70 him They continued theiI
walk quietly, brt st a good pace. At las;
they arrived at a broad river, where they
found boat moored The three men car
rid Robert into the boat: then chev pushed
Of and IN a few moments were gliding over
the waterS
Where are you taking me 70 r inquired
the young man Of the three mysterious look
ing boatrnen, but they did not take the
slightest notice Of his question They con-
tinued rowing as if they had not heard any
linn /