I cannot tell you what these lessons are: they must be experienced,
else gladly would I spare you the toil, and myself the pain of parting."
The boy looked sad as he thought of the perils and exposures to which
he should be subjected, without means to procure the least comfort.
The night shades fell on the earth. Only a glimmer of daylight tinged
the sky when father and son parted, the one for action, the other to
endure and wait his return.
The journey for many days lay over cheerless hills and barren plains;
and many a tear was brushed from that young cheek by the hand which
his father had so warmly pressed at parting.
At the close of a dark, stormy day, weary and faint for food, he was
about to lie down on the damp grass, overcome with weariness, when he
espied an elegant edifice a little way beyond.
"I will travel on," he said hopefully; "for surely, in such a mansion, I
shall find protection and food for my famished body."
It took much longer to reach it than he expected; but at last, with torn
and bleeding feet, he came to the broad avenue which led to the dwelling.
"What magnificence!" he exclaimed. "How glad I am that my father sent me
hither to see such wondrous things!" With hope beaming in every feature,
he approached the door and knocked.
It was opened by one whose voice and face exhibited no sign of welcome.
He cast an impatient glance upon the traveler, who shrank abashed and
trembling from so rude a gaze.
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