rays of the setting
sun. The laborers wondered why he was not torn and weary like the other.

"Thee must have had a better path than the one who came before
thee," said one of the group to the stranger.

"I made a path," was his only answer; and then he glanced around the
room, as though he would find him with whom he started: for the interest
felt for any companionship, however brief, is not easily laid aside.

The laborers told him of his companion's inability to work, and of his
days of pain.

"Let me see him," he said; and they went with him.

The next day the traveler who had slowly journeyed, and made a path
for those who would come after, was able to go to his labors; while his
companion was disabled for many days longer.

Soon after, many others came through the forest to the valley, and
their first remark was, "Show us the traveler who made for us such a
comfortable path;" and, seeing him, they all blessed him in word and
deed for his nobleness in making their way so easy for them.

"But for that path," said many to him, "I should never have come to
this lovely valley."

There are two ways of journeying through life: one, like the first
pilgrim, who thought only of self and of speedily reaching the vale and
the journey's end; the other better and wiser one, productive of greater
good to all, of making a path, that all who come after us may be blessed
by our labors.

XII.

THE URNS.

In a peaceful valley there lived a number of people whose leader
dwelt on the hill and guided the tillers of the soil, weaving into
their lives many lessons of truth. They were supplied with water from
the mountain, which was sent them every morning by a carrier. It was
the master's rule that each should have his urn clean, that the fresh
supply might not be mingled with the old. For a time all were faithful:
as each day's supply was used the urn was made clean for the new. But,
alas for human weakness! so prone to fall from the line of duty--soon a
murmur was heard among the people.

"I have had no fresh water for days," said one of the group standing
idly by the roadside.

"Neither have I," said another.

"It's no use for the master to expect us to labor," remarked a third,
"if we are not supplied with fresh water. Life is hard enough to bear
with all we can have to help us," he continued. "Now there's our
neighbor, Cheerful, over the way--his urn is full of pure, sparkling
water each morning."

"And w