The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1906-10-13
a Seeker of Success

In the sunrise Of life. a strong and hopeful youth, AM
hition. set ont along the crowded highway that led, 80 many
assured him. 90 the temple called Success.
Though there were many travellers on the way vet each
wa, intent upon his own Journey. and gave him seafee a LOOK
But he was not lonely. tor hope ehecred him aud dreams Of
The beautiful temple he was to reach gave him sweet COM
partnership.
The road was hard and stony. but faith whispered to
him that IL would. as he neared the temple, grow smooth
aud be bordcred with roses and ~asphodelS ~ he has'e"ed
eheerly ON. for ne was Young aud bhthe OF heart
Ones he SAN a man. seeming wearisd and ~despa'rug'
throw up his hands as i in mute appeal To man Of heaven
and the surgine. needless crowd tramplcd him in the dust
4 should like" thought Ambition, 10 stop and help
the poor fellow to his feet, but then ! should lose time
That is no way t. win such a stern race as THIS
And be elbowcd a cripple aside aud pushed onward
But he saw one who had been close beside him all the morn
ing turn hack and take the stricken one mp and carry HIM
As Ambition iourneyed on, he gathered up from tic
roadway many eli,teriug stones that he Thought would
beautifully embclish his chamber in the temple.
Il was about midday that he met a golden-haired child
that seemed to have lost rs way. Bewiidered aud fright
ened, she turned up 10 hm pleading eyes that swan ="
tears
won't YOU please carry me- she Appealed 4 am 80
tired"
Ne. nor Be cried testify. These precious stones
arc all can carry. ! must run Oh. or others viii crowd the
temple before l can reach it,
And he ,oaed on more and more wearly. for the SIN
had grown hot. and he was ever adding to his load OF
sparkling s.ones
lie rassed thousands Of the sick and the iainiing, The
helpless and the hopeless. and gave them no heed. For
the Journey was eng aud the day was short.
The sun had sunk almost to the horizon, aud Am
hiion. with his pack Of shining stones Rugged close to him.
was eNpendiug the last oi his strength to reach the hilltop
Just ahead. where he was sure the temple OF Success mus,
stand when one whom he had twice passed ON the way
overlook him and hurried by.
Ambition looked up and saw tha, the other Wa carry
81 a So - A. 81 .,,aafaf "a ktn al the
morning The eyrs that had been dim with tears were now
shining Ike stars.
A Ambition CARED in wonder he saw that the child
pointed 10 the night. and. leapmg to the ground, she took
her rcscner's hand and led him into a pathway thar oPenet
between the trees. Ambition. looking after them, caught a
glimpse OF a radiant vista At its end IN peariy outline was
tic temple 81 his quest
With a shout OF joy he ran Tor the opening. but ere
he reached il it was closed with weeds and tangled vines
Striving to tear them aside. he found himself IN a mare 4
,horns.
Worn on, and utterly wrc,ched. he sank to the ground
The sun disappeared and shadows enveloped him
Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and a withcrsd
erone bent over him. laughing m~oekingiy.
Tell me-" cried Ambition. who was that child AT
how NAV I follow her.
she is what men call Opportunity" the eroue ar
swcred. There Is no way to know anything Of her except
by taking her up and carrying her when she $ a fncndIess
mite"
But" walled Ambition. he who carried her-whetc
did he get the strength | saw him this morning take up
a dying man and carry him."
The erone laughed harshly as she said: That dyir /,
man was Courage. All who receive his blessing gain tn
strength Of gods"
you know so much. you must know the way TO the
temple 1 seek. Tell me IT, and all this heap OF giiitering
gems shall be yours" And Ambition poured his heavy
treasure Upon the ground at her feet
In the laugh Of the erone was mockery Satanic. The
stones were as dull as lead. They have no glitter in the
darkr she cried. and for rs there will be no more light"
Who are YOU Ambition cried. ~siekeuing with hope
iessucss and terror.
Il am failure" Tier cackle of triumph chilled him to
his soul.
Leave me-" he pleaded pi,eously. Leave me to d.
alone"
Nay. nay" she said. You shall not die. but walk ever
with me"