The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-02-05

Isaac was an old man; his sight was
dim, and he realized that in all human
probability he would not sojourn many
days longer upon the earth. The Lord
had been good to Isaac and given him
stalwart sons to fill his place upon the
earth when the Lord should. in His great
wisdom, call Isaac home to rest from the
labors and cares of the temporal world.
Like many other good old men, Isaac
looked carefully after his appetite, and on
the occasion upon which the text has
bearing, the old man most earnestly de-
sired meal of fresh venison. Not being
able-by reason of his fading vision-to
pursue the enjOyments or the benefits of
the chase, he called to his son Esau, say
ing: "Now therefore take, pray thee,
thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and
go out to the field and take me some ven-
ison."
Esau, prompt to do the bidding of his
father, and anxious to secure the blessing
of so good a man, hastened to take his de-
parture for the hunting grounds. 1t
CHANGED, however, that the mother, Re-
bekah, overheard the request of Isaac for
the venison. Jacob, it seems, was his
mothers favorite, and she could not brook
the idea of Esau getting his fathers bless
ing for this especial act of kinduess. But
what was to be done? Esau was gone,
and in all probability would have every
advantage over Jacob in the chase, even
should the latter go upon the hunt for
venison. The prospect for supplanting
Esau in the matter was certainly not ex-
cessively bright.
But in this as in many another per-
picking dilemma, wOman's wit was equal
to the emergency. The ties which bound
the mothers heart to Jacob could not be
broken by the weight of a momentary
Encouragement. The father had prom
ised his blessing to the first Of his chill
dren who should bring him a "savoury
meaP' of venison. 1t was her business to
see to it that Jacob was made the recip-
lent of that blessing. Acting upon this
idea. she at once hit upon scheme for
foolng the old man. Jacob at once fell
in love with the idea. Had Jacob lived
in these times, he would, if in the same
moral condition as on the day to which
the text refers, have paid many a cigar
and billiard bill by forging the old mans
name, or surreptitiously taking charge of
his pOcket-book. The mothers plan was
this: Jacob was to go to the flock of
goats and bring two kids, from which the
mother was to prepare "a savoury NEAL
for the old man, and the boy was to carry
this choice meat to his father. and receive
the blessing. But Jacob called his moth
er's attention to the fact that his brothers
skin was hairy, while his was smooth, and
the old man might take a sudden notion
to lay his hand upon him during the time
of acting out this deception, when it would
be all up with him.
But. trust woman's wit, every time
The young kids were slain and dressed,
and Rebekah prepared "savoury meat"fo
the old man. Then she took the hairy
skin of the goat, and made a coating for
Jacobs hands, neck and face. When these
were properly-or improperly-ad
Jacob took the 'venison," and carried it
to his father. The old man, surprised
that Esau could have secured the venison
and returned so quickly, very naturally
inquired if he be, indeed, his son. Of
course braZen lie came gurgling forth
from the false goat-whiskers. The father
then inquired how it came that he was
returned so quickly, and was answered in
the language of the text. He then asked
Jacob to come near, just as the latter had
expected, and laid his hand upon him re-
marking that it seemed to be the body of
1o,,th hod To !,
young man his blessing, and sent him
away rejoicing. But the sequel was not
altogether as nice as Jacob could have
wished, for when the affair became known
to Esau upon his return, Jacob had to
take his departure from that neighbor
hood rather suddenly. He had fooled the
old man, nicely, but he could not fool
with Esau.
1t is sad fact that there are innumer-
able Jacobs in the world to-day. There
are entirely too many men who expect to
get along through this world by fooling
somebody. And how many people there
are who, when receiving aattering testi-
monials from pretended friends, ascer-
tain, upon investigation, that the choice
bits of venison are of the rankest of goats.
If, in the kindness of your heart, you are
prompted to do great favor for your fel-
low man, for which he is profuse in his
expressions of gratitude. it requires
Watchfulness on your part, in many cases.
to penetrate the goat-skin with which he
is covered, and prevent him from return
ing goat-Steaks for your venison. Many
a young man, and young woman. too,
starts out in life by "fooling the old man,"
The latter is considered necessary and
convenient quantity in the household,
whose principal business it is to furnish
plenty of money and hold his peace. He
is not to be consulted as to how the af
fairs of life are to be conducted. and in
case he should become inquisitive, or seek
to know of the inner life of the home cir
Gle, there is a studied effort to fool him.
In his presence, all is love, and faithful
ness. His wishes are apparently respect
ed. Should he ask favor, there will be
general rush to see which shall have the
honor to wait upon him first. But where
it requires little labor, or trouble, or
thought, or anxiety, to secure him choice
morsel of venison, the convenient goat is
led to the slaughter, and in the majority
Of cases the indulgent parent gives them