g; "they are but a handful
compared with those thou mayest gain if thou wilt work with us in the
mines. Hard is the service but rich the reward! Only say the word, and
for a year and a day thou shalt be a Mountain Spirit."

"Nay," stammered the lad, in great terror, "nay, I came not to work. All
I beg of thee is one bar of gold and a handful of the jewels that lie
here. If they are mine I can dress better than the village lads, and
ride in my own coach!"

"Lazy, ungrateful wretch!" cried the Metal King, rising from his seat,
while his figure seemed to tower until his head touched the cavern roof,
"wouldst thou seize without pay the treasures gained through the hard
labor of my Mountain Spirits! Hence! Get thee gone to thy place! Seek
not here for unearned riches! Cast away thy discontented disposition and
thou shalt turn stones into gold. Dig well thy garden and thy fields,
sow them and tend them diligently, search the mountain-sides; and thou
shalt gain through thine industry mines of gold and silver!"

Scarcely had the Metal King spoken when there was heard a screeching
as of ravens, a crying as of night owls, and a mighty storm wind came
rushing against the lad; and catching him up it drove him forth along
the dark passage, and down the mountain-side, so that in a minute he
found himself on the steps of his own house.

And from that time on a strange change came over the lad. He no longer
idled and dreamed of sudden wealth, but morning, noon, and evening
he labored diligently, sowing his fields, cultivating his garden,
and mining on the mountain-side. Years came and went; all he touched
prospered, and he grew to be the richest man in that country; but never
again did he see the Metal King or the Spirits of the Mines.

THE CHOICE OF HERCULES

BY XENOPHON (ADAPTED)

Long, long ago, when the world was young, there were many deeds waiting
to be wrought by daring heroes. It was then that the mighty Hercules,
who was yet a lad, felt an exceeding great and strong desire to go out
into the wide world to seek his fortune.

One day, while wandering alone and thoughtful, he came to a place where
two paths met. And sitting down he gravely considered which he should
follow.

One path led over flowery meadows toward the darkening distance; the
other, passing over rough stones and rugged, brown furrows, lost itself
in the glowing sunset.

And as Hercules gazed into the distance, he saw two stately maidens
coming