Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1900-02-08
Gle looked in the brook and saw an

| old MANI
| valley, lest some one else should reach
| the golden crown before me. ! shall
not rest till 1t Is mine"
| Such long, long valley 1t was! The
| big red sun rose and set many, many
| times and still Hans seemed as far OF
| from the goal as ever.
Green shady trees spread out theil
hospitable branches toward him, but
not once did he pause to enjoy their
| restful shade. Now and then a dane
ing brook ran across his path. and Its
murmuring voice seemed to call on him
! to battle in its cool waters and refresh
| his weary body, but he would not heed
and went plunging madly on. The per-
fumed breath 2f.the wild howers along
the way was vi up to1 his snostrils
but he ruthlesAy trod gth6fn down. A
frightened robin fiew 70 his bosom for
protection from a hungry hawk, but
he thrust It roughly away from him,
saying:
Fight your own battles. All my
strength and energy l must save for
mine."
The way now grew rougher and more
arduous with every step. Great bram-
bles and thorny bushes reared their
ugly heads before him. Oftentimes he
might have avoided them by walking
around, but he was afraid by that to
lose little time, and went straight on,
tearing his clothes and scratching his
hands and face till the blood flowed
But so intent was he on reaching the
cliff whereon was the golden crown
that he felt no pain. And one day--it
was years since he began his Journey
though he realized 1t not-he found the
crown within his grasp. With a fierce
cry he sprang forward and placed the
great glittering thing upon his head.
How heavy 1t was. Its weight SEEM
ed more than he could bear. II sup
pose shall get used to it," he said to
himself. And how fine 1 must look
with 1t on!''
He went to the edge of a placid
stream and looked in, that he might
see his own reflection.
He saw a gaunt old man in tattered
garments, with wrinkled visage and
hollow eyes; and in the figure there
was no trace OF the handsome. sturdy,
fair-haired Hans who had contentedly
tended his fathers sheep.
Now, how can this be?" groaned
Hans. Though the crown Is on my
head, yet 1 look not one bit like Prince,
but rather a tired out old man, on
whose brow this golden thing Is much
out of place. and whose weight my
feeble body cannot bear"
Then, with despairing gesture, he
flung the golden crown far out into the
stream, where II sank from sight. And
from the cliff above came the hooking
laughter Of the gnomes.
Then old Hans bethought himself Of
his forgotten home, of his kindly par
ents and the gentle sheep. and a long.
ing filled his soul to see them all once
again.
So, weary and heartbroken, he set
out on his homeward journey. II was
winter now; the flowers were dead, the
trees. bare Of all foliage, reared their
great gaunt limbs like mockipg fing-
ers: the streams were frozen, and all
nature was cherries and barren
around him.
At last he was at home. but long
since his parents had died, and long
since, the neglected sheep had persisted
miserably.
Hans made his way to the house; at
least that would afford him a welcome.
~ VIZ NOOA otCOo OiChgt 90 ~ AaN
stood for years, but inside the hearth |
stone was cold. Il
Dear reader. Hays is any boy, and
the golden crown is simply boys am
bition. Beware lest In your haste to
reach the goal you forget to live along
4hegway, 1t IL good to keep ones llfe1
ambition always in mind. but remem-
bsEfthat there are duties TO perform
each day.
Haying determined on what position
you would like to attain In life quietly
go to work to acquire the knowledge
ana virtues which win make you COM
petent to I'LL that position when II
comes to you.
SIT is not the crown that viii make
~ you q Prince, but the princeiy vir,l
tues that will make You 1t TO wear 4 I
eTown. !
"a