The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25
CHAPTER VIII.

pTOJeCG anu Spdr6 Her!
CHAPTER VIII.
The night wind rose among the hills of
Judea, as it was ever won't to rise. The
stars leaped into their places one by one,
as the darkness of the night increased
The landscape wore the same sombre ap-
pearance that was usual in the indistinct-
ness of the quiet night. Thus nature was
unmoved, beautiful, sublimely quiet, that
wondrous winters eve.
Cavalcades of Roman soldiery were hur-
rying from place to place in order to take
the census and obey the imperial behest.
Everywhere they were received; places of
honor were res erved for them, and that
night, as on all others, the world was little
occupied with God or the unraveling of any
stupendous mystery.
A young man, whose courage and ges-
lures and very air were indicative of hope
less despair, was vending his steps to-
wards the little town of Bethlehem, as the
nearest place of shelter. He thought that
there he would comply with the imperial
command, and in the morning turn his
steps once again towards Urtas, the re-
collection of which occupied hallowed
spot in his memory. There alone he had
found CLEAN of peace and calm during the
last sad epoch of his life, which seemed to
extend over years and years. His early
home happiness seemed to be far, far off,
in the dull, gray, indistinct past, and so
distant that only a mere outline might be
discernible in the mist. After his
visit to Urtas he knew not whittier
he should turn his steps, or in what chan
mel he would allow his now almost ex-
pended energi % flow. He could
hardly be recoeuized rs the Paulus of a
short time pre- H5- so OLD, so worn, so
languid had he -rowu. The buoyancy of
J outh had fled rom him, and suffering
gave him sad, grave dignity, which it
alone can give, a4 which demands the re-
spect of all Wi it. Lo, towards
Bethlehem he " hat night, tread
ing DER the shepIeluo nils and allowing
himself to be guided by the light of the
stars alone. He was sad and thoughtful,
bordering on grave subjects which well
harmonized Wit r5lime tranquility
of nature.
1t was that sal Oil Aram had
been so startlad .rt- simple tale,
and as darkness pail over the
land, Aram sta ON Urtas,
guided, too, by r.e stars. He
had formed re. yticI had given
him more energy ha' known since
the dreadful nigh ycuge spurred
him on to his cr' ana it gave him far
~, l., l. !
left little Ruth in charge of a shepherd
ess, giving her his Few, last coppers, and
begging her, in the name of the God of Is
rael, to care for the child until he should
come for her, indicating where he lived
that she might not think him an impostor.
He now started out to get the child, to
bring her home to Rebecca, to confess all,
and to keep her till Paulus should return,
as Rebecca said he would. After havipn
lost hope, the poor youth would find al
his life, his Joy, ,-r lite cottage, X
tended to him b mt ut hand OF
Aram, who had S. rIE 81 i'm. the old
man went forth yl,n a quicker step
brighter CLEAN in his eye, lighter
heart and a calmer conscience than
he had long since known. Ay, he felt
happy when he thought of the happiness
he should give Paulus. For if ever man
recognized his own degradation through |
CRIME, and his own blackness in the sight |
of his Creator, and truly repented it was
Aram.
Those same stars that had been shining
on those hills for cycles of ages saw, too,
that night wee. curly-headed girl, who
had evidently lost her way; at last the lit
tie feet refused to carry her farther, and
she laid down upon grassy pillow, and
dropped into sweet sleep, holding in her
baby hand a spray of laurel, the
buds of which were not yet
red The little pale face showed
a touch of earthly WEAKNESS so sad
when seen in childhood. The matted hair,
tear-stained cheeks, worn sandals and soiled
though rich clothing, all showed the want
of the care that is given by loving
mothers touch. Thus she laid that cold
December night with the starry heavens
as canopy, holding tightly in her hand the
little laurel branch, as though she found
companionship in it, inanimate as it was.
And she slept on. 80 sleep, oh gentle
sleep, natures soft nurse!" What a
blessing to the weary, but above all to the
sad and desolateI