Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-04-15


grass, and the cool breeze of the sunset
hour swaycd the leaves Of the PALM and
! waited perfume from the scented hearts oil
/ Oriental flowers. Fair Rachel, the shep-
herdess, bent over the we'll. dreaming
again the sweet visions that had come to
her slumbers the nigh: before She had
/ then dreamed that tall, handsome stlan-
ger had knelt before her fsther. aud sued
/ for her as bis wife and the dream had
been pleasant. Deep in beautiful tsanght.
the beautiful maiden did not hear he step
Of the stranger, rhe s.so11 .s-ias ..s-i u pom
her beauty.
/ The sheep had arisen from the cold
grass and gathered about the well, eager
for the crystal water.
"Do you know Laban Hartwell, lovely
maiden p asked the stranger, after he
hal gazed his fill upon the rounded form
fair face and neck, ripe, glowing lips and
checks, and glorious bust of the beautiful
Rachel.
The sunset glow lighted up her golden
hair, as it rippled in billows to her waist,
aud was lifted in the evening breeze from
her low white brow.
"Can you tell me if Laban Hartwell
/ lives about here ?" repeated the stran-
ger.
Rachel blushed as she lifted the heavy
eyelashes and let the full splender of her
glorious eyes rest for moment upon his
face, then answered
''He lives in yonder house upon the
hill. These are his sheep. that I am for
getting to water"
Let we water them for you. The stone
upon the well is too great for you to lift, y
said the voice of the stranger And he
stepped forward, and lifting the stone,
and the cool waters of the well bubbled
up and filled the stone basin at its side.
The sheep gathered to dip in its coolness,
and the stranger said
rs my mothers brother, Laban Hart
we'll prosP porous and we'll p
Once more the clear eyes sought his
/ face 1t was the face of RachePs dream,
and she answered
"My father is well and prosperous"
''Are you the daughter of my mother S
broth-r? Beautiful cousin, that should
meet you first of all ~ exclaimed the
handsome stranger, as he advanced and
pressed his lips upon her low brow. no
longer milk-white, but scarlet.
II am his youngest daughter Rach-
el."
And your cousin, Jacob"
Welcome to our land !" she cried
Come with nc to NJ father '2~1
r>1l \; u
led the way to the white house upon the
hill The tall broad d-leavcd palm trees
afforded delicious shade and the white
headed man reclned beneath them
Ny father. look up Jacob has
com. =
Not R,bccca's son % exclaimed the
old man, coming forward.
L am Rebeeca's SON. cried the stran-
ger, bowing before his kinsman.
The oil man fell upon his neck and
blessed him. welcoming him to his house
where the old wife aud another daughter,
/ Leah, awaited him.
/ The sheep were sheltered within the
fold, and Laba2 broke bread at the even
ing meal. Milk and honey flowed in
abundance, and choice fruits graced the
board In the cool Of the evening the
family gathered around Jacob, and lis
tened to his accounts of his far-oft home,
and the mother who had sent him to the
home Of her favorite brother. Contented
to be ne ar fair Rachel, Jacob linger-
ed month in the felds of his un-
Gle
During all these dreamy days and
moonlight evenings Jacob had learned
Rachel the old, beautiful lesson, and they
reveled in ''Lovc's young dream" Upon
the first day Of the second month, Laban
sought Jacob in the fields, saying
You have been with me four weeks,
Jacob. Because you are my sisters son,
you may not serve me for naught. Give
;ne the terms of thy hire"
Jacob answered
Il care not to leave thee, good kins-
man neither would l work for uaught
Let me serve thee seven years for thy
daughter Rachel"
Thy terms are pleasing; but Rachel
, is the younger, and it is Lot well to give
the Younger daughter in marriage before
the elder. Take thou Leah to wife, and
leave Rachel for some youth of the val
ley
Jacob answered
Leah is well. Some young man will
surely ask her of thee soon. But my
heart cries for Rachel, and will not
take nay for answer Give me Rachel :"
AS thou wilt Serve me the seven
years"
After that time there were great prepa-
rauons made for the coming festival; and
Jacob ana RteheL were happy IN looking
forward to the coming holidays. After
the harvest the Wedding was to come :;
and the chapel in tue valley, where was
the altar, was aiorn ed and lighted. and
all the youth round about were hidden to
tie wed ling.
Rachel and Jacob danced before the al
tar, and Joined hands. haee!ing before
the sacred shrine, they kissed each other,
and Jacob placed upon the slender finger
Of Rachel's hand golden symbol Of their
endless love.
! After the revel was over, jacob sought
Laban to ask of him the key to the cham
Der os the bride Alter the fashion OF
the times, Laban accompanied Jacob to
the threshold of the briiai-ehamber, and
then blessed him and Jacob went In.
The suu WAS high IN the acayens when
7 Jacob awoke.