Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-06

Il
flashed across their minds, "That was no mad fel.
low then, but prophet-and it is no testing
| matter" Away then with song, and wine-cur
and mlrth. There is serious work to do. And
there was rushing to and fro, and the trampne
! of armed horsemen, the sounding of trumpets
and shaking of spears, and unfurling of banners.
while the err echoed far and near "Jehu is king.'
Then first blrzed forth the mastery qualities
of that executive soul. Always leader in his
proper sphere, that sphere had been narrow, and
his qualities had been compressed within servie
scope. But like lopg-smouldering Ere they burst
at the breath of Divine command into fierce
confagration. Every glance was sharp and far
seeing as falcons. Every step was decision.
| Every gesture, revelation of power.
"Close the gates! Let none go forth to car
| ry the tidings to Jezree -
Could she not hear it then, that rushing whirl-
wind of doom, that came down to the Jordan I!
Could she not see the clouds of dust that rose
above the olive groves througi the fair wiley of
Jezreel! The advancing cohort IS deserted how
ever from the city gates, for messenger bear
lug the royal insignia dashes at full speed to meet
them.
as it peace!' he cries refining back his steed
upon his launches
"What hast thou 10 do with peace" answers
Jehu with glance of fire. "Turn thee behind
me-"
The watchman over the gate had carefully
WATCHED this preceding.
"Tle messenger came to them but cometh not
again"
Another man. alarms spurs forward like an ar
row. SIS it peace?" .
"What hast thou to do with peace! Turn thee
behind mel"
And again the watchmsn reports to the king.
'He came even to them, and cometh not again,
and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son
of Nimshi, far he driye!h very furiousy."
All, thinks the king, it must be some news of
the Syrian war. What, no! make resdy!'
"Jehus sJehu," he thinks "Yes remember him,
faithful fellow, of my fathers best soldiers"
And in a moment more, Joram, with Ahaziah Of
Judah, were on the road at full speed.
The road lay just by the fafmous vineyard Of
Naboth, which Ahab hid obtained by JezebePs
means. Nay the chariot-wheels of Jordan were
on portion of that soil, when he drew near
enough to call ont: "Is it peace, ,Jehu?"
Ah then, with what terrible emphasis came
the swift response:
"What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy
mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many!"
In vain did the afrg ghted prince wheel his steed
to fly, excaiming "There is treachery, o Ahaziahr'
The messenger of fate was behind him-scarce
we're the words uttered, when Jehu, standing in
his chariot at full speed, drew bow with all his
strength and transfxed the royal fugitive between
his arms, so that the went out at his heart,
and he fell dead in his chariot.
"Take him up" said Jehu, with grim smile
to Bidkar, his chariot captain, sand cast him into
the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite;
for, remember how that when thou and l rode to-
gether after Ahab his father, the Lord laid this
burden upon him. Surely have seen yester-
day the blood at Naboth and his sons,' saith the
Lord, 'and will requite thee in this plat "Now,
theref re take and cast him in this plat, according
to the word of the Lord"
Then seeing that Abazah had fed by differ
ent road by the way OF the garden house, he dis
patched band in chase, saying, "Smite him also
in his chariot" And they soon overlook him at
the ascent Of lbleum, and mortally wounded, he
escaped to Megiddo to die
Had she, then, imperious daughter Of Tyre, in
her place, no knowledge of these dread tragedies'
Had there been no dark misgivings! No gloomy
omensG And we're there no shreks, and cries and
sounds of terror, as the conquering band thunders
through the gates towad the palace.
All, yes! there came at last the messengers of
des. air bursting into her gorgeous pavilion, with
garments rent, hair dsheveled, and faces ashen
pale.
But she is not pale. Her garments are un-
rent There is not tremor on her hsughty bro@.
Nay, she calls for her mirror. She summons
her tiring women. She tinges afresh her eye
lids, arranges anew her magnificent tiara, and ad-
yances to the balcony to confront the grim usur-
per In the very hour of his fury.
There is rush of steeds, clatter OF hoofs,
and thunder of chariots below. The whole street
far as the eye can see is filed with triumphant
warriors. Their fiery leader has just refined his
steed before the prncely portal, and ia in the act
of leaping to the earth to enter, when a voice
from above clear and defiant, arrests him:
Had Zimri peace who slew his master!'
"Who is on my side, who!" Jehu instantly
shouts Quick as lightning two or three swar-
thy forms of the eunuch guardians of the harem ap
peer just behind the daring woman.
"Throw her down!"
And in an instant there is a rush rs Of falling
body, heavy fall, and the blood of princes is
sprinkled upon the horses and against the wall.
The stern minister of justice treads her under
foot, and strides on towards the interior of the
palace. He is followed by his captsins and men,
at-arms, and each as hs passes, emulating the
ferceness of his commander, tramples with iron
sanda upon the PROSTATE form-un!l it lies crush
ed, soiled, dsfgured scarcely to be recognized as
human.
The street is empty. The hour passes on.
From far and near began to be heard the steal.
tby feet and low howl OF those packs of ravenous
DOGS that inhabit the quarters of oriental cities,
scenting their prey from afar. From every square
and street and lane, they come with gaunt fam
ine.stricken visages and eyes blazing with feroc.
| itv, Ike the wolves of the desert. Awhile they
prowl around among the feet eff the steeds and
| the wheels of the chariots, smelling wistful1v
.ba;-