The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-19
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

TE, Paul speake, and niece of Mrs. j.. E. Penny of Birmingham:
 THE ROAD TO SUCCESS Cleaning in gold and gems with it's
 turreted domes shining brightly. Stood afar off on Life's path. the
 City Success and its wonders; Stood, and it's halo of light shed a
 roseate glamour, enticing The Aouth as he started the pathway.
 alive and alert in his manhood Rough and hard is this path. the
 pathway of Life as men call 1t. winding and twisting it runs, and
 pordered by many danger. Hardest to reach is the City, the City
 success brightly gleaming, Gleamlng in gold and gems with its
 peaks and it's minarets shining. Ponder ing thoughtfully on 1t. the
 touth held his eyes on the City, burnlng with fire and zeal to~reach
 It and enter it's portals. Pondering thus, he stopped to rest
 him awhile by the roadside. Never relaxing his gaze, but looking and thinking and hoping. Then there appeared unto him in 4
 vision, the form of an angel. Radiantly splendid she stood. and tha
 name of the angel was Wisdom. Presents she held in her hands.
 awards that were magic and po-
 tent, Gifts of a staff and ring. of a flask
 and wonderful saber: Gave them to him and in giving
 spoke these priceless words of advising:
 Youth. as you journey through Life.
 the path will seem rugged and
 cruel. Many will strive for the City. the
 City out there in the distance: Few Will be those who will reach it.
 Will finally enter it's portals. fet' Tn my hand there are gifts
 whose powers are mighty and lasting;
 These will I give unto thee. and bv
 these will Success be assured thee.
 Youth. while you travel Life's path, times will come when your cour- age will fail you, Times when you almost give up and faint in despair by the roadside; Then has this flask which I give you, value fmmeasurably helpful. Drlnk Of It's contents and To! t will
 renew all your life and your vigor,
 Spur you to do greater things. for the liquid so precious is Purpose. Here Is staff; 1t Is sturdy and trusty and tried by all ages; Strong and unyielding, its strength will uphold you in many a trial. Men cannot reach that fair city without 1t, howe'er they endeavor. Honesty has it been named and it's value can never be measured. Dangers will turk in your way. though, against which your staff will be useless; Neither, again, will your flask be of strong enough pow'r to refresh you,
 Cast down by countless defeats and despairing from many failure. Take then this sword. Though it's hilt is not all encrusted with diamonds,
 Nor does the sheen of its scabbard shine dazzingly bright in the sunlight,
 Keen its edge is and sharp, and be- fore it all demons lie vanquished; SNO " AS paN SoA Ciy iho lOuCn VIII uTlVe into flight all the terrors Never can man reach success if the sword Perseverance be wanting. Last but most surely not least, is this clasp with it's wondrous jewel.
 See, how that gem as it sparkles sends rays out which kindle the heartstrings
 Look, how the beams touch the soul and move 1t to warm tender feelingi
 Keep it and wear it--this jewel; 't will comfort you, hearten you, aid Easy each pathway would be, were
 Friendliness worn on each bosom.'
 Gone with these words was the an- gel, but the gifts which she gave stayed behind her; Stayed to recall to the Youth, on awak ening. the words of her counsel
 Upward and onward he sped, and forever upon that hard journey, Used both her gifts and her words. All threatening shapes fled be- fore him.
 Each gift alone was a treasure, but all four combined were resist. less. Over the pathway the Youth travelled endlessly. tirelessly onward. Lo! he approaches the City, the City which oft he has dreamed of. And as the Youth, now Man, tals,
 The gates of the City Success open wide and in triumph he entera