le. It went along
slowly and majestically, and sometimes it seemed to come eddying back
to kiss the bank at his feet. For a little while it smoothed the
wrinkles in his mind. He wondered where the River came from and where
it was going to. It was always coming and always going, and there was
never an end to it. All day long it went by, sometimes laughing and
playing in the shallows and sometimes sighing a little under the
willows.

"Valentine watched it and listened to the pleasant sounds it made
until he began to feel as if the River was something like a friend and
companion. It soothed his grief and drove away his loneliness. Being
alone, he began to speak his thoughts aloud.

"'Oh! I wish I had a friend as strong and as powerful as the River!'
he cried.

"'And why not?' he heard a voice say. The water at his feet splashed a
little louder. He looked around, but saw no one; he listened, but
heard nothing.

"'I wonder who could have spoken?' he said aloud.

"'Who but your friend, the River?' a Voice replied.

"'Please don't mock me, whoever you are. There is no fun in
misfortune,' said Valentine.

"'None at all' responded the Voice. 'I am your friend the River. I
will give you all the aid in my power.'

"'How am I to know the River is talking?' Valentine asked.

"'By this,' replied the River. At the word, a wave larger than all the
rest sprang up the bank, and threw its spray in Valentine's hair and
face. 'That is my salute,' said the River. 'It is a rough way, but I
know no other. Now, how can I aid you?'

"'That is what troubles me,' responded Valentine. 'You are always
going; you never stay.'

"'True,' said the River; 'but I am always coming. Therefore I must be
always returning.'

"'But how?' Valentine asked.

"'Not this way,' said the River, 'but over your head. When in the
early morning, or in the warmer noon, or in the pleasant evenings, you
see the white clouds flying westward, you may be sure that I am
returning.' Then the River broke into a thousand ripples, as if
smiling.

"But Valentine sat with a very serious face. 'I do not know how you
can aid me,' he sighed.

"'I know what you wish,' the River replied. 'You wish riches.'

"'Yes,' said Valentine, 'but not for the sake of the riches
themselves.'

"'Of course not!' the River exclaimed. 'Riches would be worthless if
they could not command something better; and they are worse than
worthless when the power they give is used for evil. I