The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-10-29

full boyhood, he gazed upon the dis
tant elevation nor saw what lay be-
tween, the rivers to be crossed, the
lesser heights to- be attained.
Often had he gaZed upon the glory
Of the sunset that bore over the same
significance to the ambitious youth,
Strengthening his purpose and making
him more eager for the time when he
would begin the journey of life. And
at last when he bade farewell to home
and parents and started forth, he turn
ed his face towards the western sky
and bouyantly journeyed on, confident
of his success.
For many days the youth travelled
toward that far off mountain height
the setting sun had crowned with
glory. Many were the rivers that he
crossed, many the dense forests
through which he wandered, many the
hills he climbed, but to behold a wider
valley or a deeper, more turbulent tor
rent beyond. Often he passed a point
where another had failed, or faltering
had turned backward on the trail.
At times the sunset glory vas hidden
from view by dark clouds or raging
storm, and when it again burst forth
with all its radiance, the goal seemed
to the youth, despite the great distance
he a traverSed, as far off as when
he gaZed upon it from his boyhood
home. Still he pressed on, courageous
and unfaltering in his purpose.
At length, footsore and weary. he
came to the most beautiful valley he
had eve beheld. Naught that Nature
could afford, 1t seemed had been spar
ed in making this spot a heaven on
earth. Here man had made his abode
and the smoke, arising from the chin
neys, was outlined in fantastic forms
against the evening sky. The voices
of youths and maidens, the prattle and
laughter Of children, mingled pleasant
ly with the songs of happy birds. The
bleating of the flock was heard from
the hillside, the lowing of the cattle
where the stream gilded through the
meadow land and man and nature
seemed to walk hand in hand and
dwell here at peace with the world.
Long the youth fingered with these
simple, true hearted people. Every
door was opened to him. He was a
welcomed and honored guest at every
fireside. Such simple, unworldly peo-
pie were they, his wisdom seemed
great to them. Eagerly they listened
while he told Of the wonders he had
seen OF his weary journey, of the
labor saving machines he could con-
struct for their benefit. Thus he
taught the people and their crude i'm
plements Of agriculture were laid aside
while they titled, sowed and reaped
with the machines they had construct
ed under the guidance Of their bene-
factor. Their homes were improved
and beautified. School house were
erected and %unwonted prosperity de
seconded upon the inhabitants of the
valley.
Within their midst dwelt a maiden
the youth found good to- look upon.
The glory of the distant height SEEM
ed less than the radiance Of her smile
or the love light in her eyes. Here
in the peaceful valley" said he, will
| dwell with this maiden. Her people
shall be my people and the wisdom
which | have to- bestow shall be theirs.
Each day will / seek for new know
ledge to impart that their lives may
be more happy and noble. No more
will | turn my steps toward that far
off and u~nattainable glory. Far bet
ter were it to dwell here in peace and
bdpDIICoS "IIlC 4 Hilhii hihhO tIC az
easier and brighter for these people,
for their children and mine and for
our children's children. Far better TO
share with her the triumph OF a life
well spent, than to be crowned with
glory pom those Distant heights
alone" IgsrI bsIiai
Many years had passed and a win
ter's sun was near its setting The.
last bright rays slanted downward into
the beautiful valley and softly touched
the bent form and hoary head of an
aged man who needed not their splen-
dor, for he wept beside a grave. There
fame crowned him with glory when
his course was nearly run and She who
had shared each JOY and sorrow along
the way, slept beneath the sod. When
that which made life brightest for
him was no more" -H'A'."" n"
Not as in youth he had dreamed,
placed above an unseared brow and
worn in triufhpK on Sdfnsadlsfant glori-
fled height, but as-in- matured years
he realized,a above the Urihkied. face
and thin. white locks of agedlAndninf
his greatn Wisdpmbheo kneWbthatJ had
he journey towBEAu that g0iluthrQughlc;
out biz, lite. Forgetting ALI s3ve. bis
viewed that rAdiant height ffUK aaR999ftf
and dieds WftKUa4 Ris. V4VNnlHSI6e
We shhs,rRI9iAA1ksHBu&H nht dtfW gyGf