"The Treasure of Far Island" | |
---|---|
Short story by Willa Cather | |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre(s) | Short story |
Publication | |
Published in | New England Magazine |
Publication type | Literary magazine |
Publication date | October 1902 |
The Treasure of Far Island is a short story by Willa Cather. It was first published in New England Magazine in October 1902.[1]
Douglass Burnham returns home in Empire City, Nebraska, after a fifteen-year hiatus. He is picked up from the train station by his father and his old friend Rhinehold. At home, his mother is cooking dinner. The next day, they go to a party with other locals, and he meets his old friend Margie; they talk about the old days. She admits she heard of one of his plays when she was in New York City once, and even walked past him on the streets but didn't say hello as he seemed busy. He begs her to go back to Far Island, a sandbar where they used to play as children. Despite her dislike of mosquitoes, they venture out and dig out an old 'treasure' they had buried in childhood. They reflect on the fantasy games they used to play, feeling that it is still real.