Fireside Stories for Girls in Their Teens

by Margaret W. Eggleston

  THE TREASURE

  Four girls they were--four laughing girls from the High School. For threehappy years they had studied together and played together. But nowAmbition had whispered to them. To each the message had been the same:

  "Hidden in the way that is ahead you will find a treasure. It is of alltreasures most valuable. It will bring to you comfort and happiness allthe days of your life. Seek and ye shall find."

  And at once they began to wish to find the treasure. Not to each othereven did they tell the secret that Ambition had whispered, for thenanother might find the treasure. Each in her own way began to seek, andfor a time their paths still led in the same direction.

  But one bright, beautiful day they came to a place where the ways parted.Many roads led from the one road and on every road there were many people.Now what should be done? In which way was the treasure to be found? If onechose the wrong way, one might never find it.

  There was little time to stand and think, for the crowds pressed onbehind, always urging them forward. Into one they must go at once.

  "Surely this is the road," said the first, looking down a beautiful, longroadway. "One would certainly find something worth while in such abeautiful place as this. Here are lights and music; here are songs andmerriment; here are people who seem as happy as the day. I shall enterhere, and after I have danced and played with the brightly dressed girlswhom I see, I shall hunt diligently for the treasure."

  So she entered the way of Pleasure and, because there was time for naughtelse but play, her days passed and she found it not.

  "That road does not appeal to me," said the second. "The red of thelights, the noise of the music, the laughter of the people seem annoyingto me. I do not care to go with you longer. I like this yellow way. Theremust be a great sun to light the way, for it is so beautiful. Here, too,every one is searching, so I am sure they must have knowledge that thetreasure is here. I will enter and find it."

  Then she, too, entered the way of her choice and it was the way of Gold.All about her were traces of treasure, but there were many who pushed heraside. She grew weary with her search; she liked little the people whowere her companions in the way, and she found there no treasure thatbrought comfort and happiness all her days.

  "I like little those long, uninteresting roadways where it all is glitterand noise," said the third. "I like little the great crowds of people. Ishall take this hilly road where few are working. They seem eager to reachthe top. Now all treasure is hidden in the hillsides. I shall climb hereand search."

  So she entered the way of Fame. It was very steep; at first it seemed thatshe could find no place to put even one foot. She must cling to veryuncertain bits along the way to help her to move up, yet little by littleshe climbed. It took years and years, and one by one her companionsdropped by the way. Those who also neared the top had little ofcompanionship for her. They envied her her footholds; they tried to getahead of her in the way. Then she knew that she could never find the GreatTreasure, for she was lonely, and a lonely heart is never satisfied andhappy.

  "Which shall I choose?" said the fourth girl, looking all about her. "Ithink I shall try this"--but just then a voice said: "I am tired and ill.Will you help me a bit in my way?"

  'Twas an old, old man. His clothes showed signs of travel and his face wasvery sad. Taking his hand, she led him for a time till he came to aresting place.

  Then she was about to go back and choose her road, but a child's voicesaid: "Won't you help me up this hill? I fall back when I try to climb."And she went still farther into the way.

  And then, when the child had been given over to his mother, a boy neededhelp in carrying a load, and as she talked with him she forgot the otherroad and began to see the beautiful things ahead in the road over whichshe was traveling.

  There were flowers to pick and give to the sad; there were cooling springswhere one could find cups of water for the weary; there were restingplaces under the trees to which one could lead the aged. And she hadforgotten that she came to seek for a treasure for herself in herhappiness in helping others.

  So the days passed, filled to the brim with loving, helping deeds. Themusic which she heard was the song of the birds; the beautiful colors tocheer came in the flowers and in the sunset; the hills in the way wereeasily climbed, for there was much of friendship as she toiled upward.

  One day in her path she saw a bent old lady in whose one hand was a bookand in whose other hand was a basket. She seemed heavily loaded and thegirl hastened to help her.

  "Let me carry your basket," she said cheerily. "Put the book on the topand I can take them both."

  Then a smile came over the face of the woman as she said: "The basketseems to be heavy, for in it is a great treasure. But he that hath thistreasure finds no difficulty in carrying it. It is yours, child--allyours. Let me read to you from the book."

  Very slowly she opened the great book and read: "Inasmuch as ye have doneit unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me."

  Then the gray cloak fell aside and her raiment was shining as the sun. Herbeautiful face grew more beautiful as she handed the basket to the girl,saying:

  "'Tis the command of our King--to him that hath shall be given and heshall have abundance! Take your treasure--the love of the people along theway, but take also the gift of the King--comfort and happiness all thedays of your life. For you entered the way of Love to seek for yourtreasure and where Love is, there God is also."