Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-06-22
In Search Of q Zero.
BY Aubertine Woodland Moore.

Spring had come to the loWlandS, al
though winter still reigned higher III
the slope and would always hold sway
on the dizzy heights above.
A boy was vending his way I'D the
hillside. He was Il mere STRIPPING, We
he walked with the steady gait of ;
man inspired by some noble purpose
The flowers springing up in his patl
gladened his eye and reioiced his heart
the birds singing SO gany overhead
cheered and charmed him with theil
JuDlant song; the soughing Of the wine
seemed freighted with message fol
nm alone, and the mighty din anC
roar OF the waterfall that ever an(
anon rose above all else filled his sou
with reverence and awe.
Wonderful indeed is nature and al
her works. thought he. Right glaC
am L that l have eyes to see and ears
to hear. l will learn all | can. and try
to help others. will press onward anC
upward until | meet the hero without
tear and without reproach l dreamed
about last night"
- t'-o LIZ IillLC llIllSCo altlf
awaited him that differed little from
others 50 often recorded. He knew not
what might tall to his lot, and when
foes did asSail him or victories were
won he deemed his experiences unlike
those Of any other mortal. All at once
he heard a strange rumblng sound i'll
the earth beneath his feet. AS he
FL L.,
the piteous tones OF a hollow voice
crying:
Help. help! I am in sore need. Fol-
long weary days l have been shut out
from the blessed light. Release me
! prayw
WHO are you" cried the boy, look
ing helplessly about him. And where
are you? Most gladly would lend you
aid if / but knew how"
Il am in prison-in PRISON. walled
the voice. Lift the stone at your right
and set me freeI"
The boy laid hands on the stone with
out loss of time, but he tugged at il
in vain, not an inch could he move it.
DO not Weary-pray, do not weary.'
came quiYering up from beneath the
stone set me free!-for mercy's sake
set me free! and great shall be your re
ward"
Reward or no reward, I should be
loath to leave any poor soul in misery
ii / could help it," cried the boy, work
ing with all his might
Great beads of moisture broke Out
on his brow and rolled down his cheeks
He pause only to wipe them away anG
to gasp for breath, but he faltered moi
in his resolve to be faithful to his
task. AT length the stone began tC
tremble in his graSp-it yielded, il
moved, and with one browning effort il
rolled from the spot it so long had GOV.
cred.
A cavern extending far into the bow
els of the earth was laid bare, and from
its mysterious depths there rose 9
woman who seemed TO grow larger anG
more majestic the nearer she drew
She stood before the boy, a command
ing form, with the mein and bearing
of a queen, and graciously extended tc
him her hand Falling on his knees he
grasped the outstretched hand, rever-
emily bore it to his lips, and murmur-
ed:
Who, ali! who are you, most roya.
Iady?"
Il am Queen of Earth's Treasures
said she. Il reign monarch supreme
over vast boards of hidden wealth
Ear removed from the trifier's eye lie
{l,.,r
priceless gems. Seeks and you viii
surely find. But tell me, what erranC
has brought you here?"
Last night l dreamed" said the
boy, that if l climbed to yonder top
most peak I should find hero without
fear and without reproach, and I Ions
10 know what lies beyond
Your dream shall not prove false
said the woman. You shall find yOu1
hero. But many foes will assail you
have earned 4 right to help me, I viii
gladly give you the fruits of persev
erance," and drawing from the folds
of her flowing garment a small, cur
iously-fashioned casket she handed i
to the boy.
Eagerly opening it, he found nesting
in its cushions a massive circlet OF
purest gold, a delicate flask Of fine cut
glass, and a glittering sword, tiny as
the merest toy. The woman took the
ring and placed it on the third finger OF
the boys left hand, which it fitted as
though made for it.
You have but to turn this ring will
,;,rl,+ of
heart shall be granted
But the sword?' queried the boy.
TRY what YOU can do with it" sale
the woman.
The boy took the sword in his hand
and at once it's size began to increase
Learn, said the woman, that moth
ing in natures store should be despiset
for its diminutiNe size, or seeming
insgniticance. Even fire is weak a
it's birth, but how vast Il power lies
concealed in its flame. The sun shed:
little warmth as it rises in the horizon
the wind displays slender strength wher
first it stirs the foliage, yet both may
1T any moment startle us with theil
might"
By this time the sword had assumed
gigantic proportions and it was all tin
boy could do to handle it,
My strength begins to fall ht
gasped.
Raise the flask to your lips" sh,
said. You will find the draught i
contains life-giving.'
Uplifting the flask, the boy swallawet
, few drops of the refreshing con
tents. Then once more he tried hi
strength