The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10

world" argued the stranger. ''If young men were obliged to always remain at home and share in the poverty and ignor- ance of their parents there would be no such thing as rich and successful men. Only by turning your back on old ties, making new ones and creating for your self new sphere in life, new world, so to speak, can you become factor In the age to which you belong. You must not be held down by a mill-stone about your neck. You must get away from the childhood surroundings and make other and greater ones for yourself. You can do nothing for your parents in their home. Why remain there to become their beast of burden when they are old? Your life should belong to you. and nothing should be allowed 10 mar your opportuni- ties Since you cannot have riches to share with your people, you should grasp them for yourself. Your enjoyment of the good things of life can in no way make their poverty the sharper. But ns l am bit hungry l shall have the feast spread at once. If you care to par ticipate-all well and good"
 And before Ajeppe could say aye or nay a fine cloth of white linen appeared upon the ground in front of him, and i'm mediately dainty and most appetizing luncheon of all the freshest viands of the country appeared set on dishes of silver and gold, placed artistically about on the linen spread in front of the aston ished Ajeppe.
 And how the odor of freshly broiled hsh, the well-seasoned birds and the dozen other dishes that so tempt mans appe- lite, did sharpen the already ravenous hunger of Ajeppe! But in vain did the strange being, who had brought about this remarkable happening on the desert, urge AJeppe to eat. Not one mouthful would he taste, although 1t seemed that the very sight of so plentiful meal would make him give over to the tempta- tion, and at least hush the crying hunger with piece of rich honey-eake and a date of the most delicious rlpeness. But as he stretched his hand to take the prof fered food his heart gave throb of pain. His dear ones! Not n morsel of this de- llcious repast could they enjoy No, bet ter to starye than to feast while they went hungry!
 The stranger ate the food, saying be- tween mouthfuls Why should you go hungry, lad? Does your empty stomach put food into the stomachs of your par ents? Isn't 1t better for only two to bs hungry than for three? Ball. you don't know the world. Every one for himself, my boy. That's the motto that makes men happy"
 That would make me miserable," de- clared Ajeppe. Should I taste these good things set before me, knowing as do that both my father and mother are hungry, the food would choke me. No, would rather go hungry with my parents since all cannot enjoy together-than to have all the riches of the world with out their sharing them l do not want greatness if 1t means to desert my dear ones. If success depends on seyering the ties of blood-oh, give me not successl Let me remain the loving son of n poor fisherman and his wife, Let me become their support In their old age. and l shall bow to it without murmur. But under no conditions would I leave my parents not for a kingdom. And as for this feast before me-Let me starye before l should forget my dear ones and eat"
 As Ajeppe finished speaking he bent his