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

Aram arrived at the shepherdess' house
to whose care he had entrusted little
Ruth, but was appraised that the child had
strayed away, no one knew whittier
They thought, however, it could not be far
and that probably she had fallen in the
hands of some kind shepherds. Aram was
both bitterly disappointed and much
grieved, and determined Immediately to
look for the child, going from shepherd to
shepherd, but none of them knew aught of
the object of his search In the distance
he discovered a number going to some
place, and he followed them, thinking that
some of them might have seen the little
one, and soon he found himself at the very
entrance of the cave, not knowing how
hallowed a spot it was. At the threshold
he encountered another stranger of youth
full appearance, who had not yet reached
Bethlehem and whose steps were stayed
by curiosity to learn. why the shepherds
had entered the cave, all of them with
such an air of JOY as if in bright eXpecta-
ton. No recognition took place between
the two men. Paulus merely stood aside to
allow his elder to advance before him, but
with an air of Difference which obliged old
Aram to turn and look. pre- occupied and
depressed as he was. Entering the cave
the awe that had seized those before them
took possession of them also and they
sank to their knees as an old shepherd
asked if they too had come to adore the King
of the Jews. Light flooded their souls,
faith budded in their hearts as they
reverently knelt with touchdown heads
Paulus glanced up and his eyes fell upon
the little form whose head had just bent
upon the Virgins knee. Eagerly did he ad-
vance as also did Aram. Both men bent over
the little form and saw that life had ebbed
away. But wat a wonderfully sweet,
calm expression death had marbled in the
little features. Heart-sick Paulus sank to
the ground, pressing the little body he
loved so well to his heart. With his head
thus bowed the Virgin placed the infants
hand upon it. With that touch all hatred
was banished from his heart towards the
man who had so wronged him; sorrow was
calmer; faith infused. making a Christian
of the youth that sad, still, happy night.
In glance Aram saw all. He had no
right to intrude upon grief, so he retired
from the cave, and waited at its entrance
to meet Paulus. Finally Paulus arose,
expressing gratitude, love and alteration
in every act towards his King. He clasped
his darling sister to his heart, who still
held the little laurel spray in her hand
and went forth. Then in the darkness he
was met by Aram, the heart-broken,
confess his wrong which he did
on his knees before Paulus; the
latter obliged him to arise and the two men,
bound by Christianity, softenod by its
charity, animated by its love, advanced to-
ward Urtas with the peacefully resting
child.
In the little cottage reigned land vet a
holy joy) sadness at the remembrance of
all the misery, and the knowledge that
little Ruth was never to awaken from her
sleep. But so gentle, so sweet was it that
even Paulus knew not whether he would
recall her from her home of glory if he
could. Joy reigned at the thought of the
King being with his own, and that the
members of the little household were
among those who knew, worshiped and
loved Him.
When at last the child was buried in the
very sight of the cave, Paulus felt as if he
belonged to the little household at Urtas-
and dreaded going back to Jerusalem alone.
Aram was aged and needed help. Paulus
offered it. AS for Rachel, like Simeon,
she was happy to have lived to set the
great things accomplished, then peacefully
her soul took it's flight tn await the +, sur
rection Of the King and tu a,cyL any Him
to his home.
AS for Paulus and Rebecca-well, theirs
is the old, old story. Their hearts had
been first knit together by sympathy, then
sorrow and love began to bud and blossom
and bloom Aram lived to see his beautiful
Rebecca united to a noble youth, VIII Sc
pride it would always be to love, protect
and cherish her, as her womarly, lofty
character and love and respect for him
demanded.
Once again the beautiful dwelling in.
Jerusalem, which stood in the temples
shade, that temple whose glory was to be
so great as it was to resound to the match
less beauty of the Savior's voice, was
thrown open and the young couple came to
take possession.
Years later, after the Man-God had full
filed his mission on earth, and had recog-
nized two faithful disciples in Paulus and
Rebecca, they were still living there, happy
in their mutual love, happy in listening to
little ones prattle in whose hearts love
and charity had been well instilled
Although the custom of Christmas was
not yet established, the 25th of each De
cember saw Christmas in their home,
for there many, many poor were made glad
and happy, for thus they always showed
gratitude for gifts received on that day
from the Christ himself. Then, too. the tiny,
sanctifed laurel branch was taken, down.
and pressed to the lips of each, and al
though it awoke sad recOllections. those
very recollections were crowned with love.
and peace.
THE END