Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-09-22
THE HARP OF HAPPINESS.

SCO&IJA i6itt LClOS Wy NHO AvASSAuAS ANS'sS
paper Syndicate.)
1t was May in the Swiss mountains.
The whole country was full OF the
tender green of budding bushes.
On the side of the peak perched a
tiny cottage, in which lived a couple
the tallest, helped the father tend h
goats, but he did not like this oun
tain home.
Roda, the smallest lad, was happy
In working about the cottage, in tend
ing the tiny garden. and milking the
goats, for his parents were old and he
knew they needed his care.
One day both boys went up to the
very top Of the mountain in search of
F, a lost goat. In following the animal
they discovered a chest hidden under
a log. and in 1t was a harp about a foot
high, fashioned of rough wood, with
strings of coarse leather. On the cor
ner of the harp was written in tiny
letters:
When a heart that is happy strikes these
The wood and the leather will turn into
gold.
Aral seized ehe harp at once.
Il viii try it." he cried. II am the
struck the strings. but they remained
of course" he exclaimed angrily,
mo one can find happiness in a lonely
place 1 TX this mountain. I will set
out at once to make my life better and
see what happens"
So without even telling his parents
farewell. the boy hung the harp on his
back and set out down the mountain
path. Roda watched him disappear in
the streets of the village below.
Il would k to have tried once my
let Aral have the first chance. I can
be happy here in my home yet 1 fear
he will never find happiness any
where"
So Roda went home and spent his
| time doing double work, now that Aral
was gone And Aral wandered far
from home into strange lands. sailing
over distant seas, seeking fortune and
happiness.
He worked hard all day and at night
Slept on straw to have his money. The
poor he never noticed, but his whole
time and thoughts were for riches.
Hard and cruel. he began to grow
wealthy. Lands and flocks. mines and
houses came into his hands,. He lived
In a big house when he saw his money
flowing in, he began to spend his
money for fine living, the walls of his
stables full of horses and all about
were livered servants-but Aral was
not happy. Every few months he
would take out the harp n strike it
-DuI IL renamed silent.
One night he saw q poor peasant
walking by singing as he drove home
q flock Of sheep.
THAT man is happier than I with
all my money" sighed Aral. Perhaps
I have made a mistake-that money
Is not happiness after ALL"
i will go home tomorrow" he cried
and so he sold his lands and mines and
set out over the seas for his old home
on the side Of the mountain. But safe
In his bag was the old wooden harp.
After q months travel he arrived at
evening at the cottage. Very beautiful
Y looked perched in the rock forest,
flushed with the pink Of the sunset
and almost hidden beneath the wild
roses. And there In b yard was his
mother knitting. his father smoking
and Roda milking the goats.
the family In their home and Realized
that here was what he had gone over
the world to find. leaving It always be-
nind. But 1t was q merry party that
night az they talked over cid times
n welcomed back the Wanderer.
"Roda," said Aral. when the par
ents had gone to rest, II did you q
wrong In taking away the harp. but I
never found happiness till now. I
Will strike 1t and see what happens.''
So with his hand he struck the
strings It was no longer y harp Of
wood. Cleaning with the simmer Of
gold and flashing with the sparkles of
Jewels. its strings were now wires Of
precious metal.
$50 ! have found true happiness at
last" cried Aral with delight. I'VE
will hang this harp on our cottage
wall. I have wealth and we need never
have our parents suffer for anything.
Here ] will live what riches I have
shall be shared with the poor"
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i &. HH-tENft N