Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-16
CHAPTER XI.
THE TROUBLED LOVER.

THE TROUBLED LOVER
The relation of Lazarus to the Nazarene
had been always peculiar. No other person
among the friends of the rabbi had SINH
lar experience. The acquaintance Of the two
had begun on this wise:
Lazarus had a contract for some fine carV-
ing upon portion of the temple; that always
growing and never completed pride and
glory of the Jews, upon which 10000 men
worked for over 40 years, and in which there
always renamed the next touch possible to
the patient artist of beautiful thing.
Lazarus needed for his purpose some
special carpentering of a high order of
skill, and being conscientious workman
sought for some time the hand required.
There was finally recommended to him
young man, bearing the very common name
of Jesus, a resident Of low, unpopular
locality, known as Nazareth. This person,
it was said, exhibited skill beyond his
fellows, executing work Of a fine order.
Lazarus sought for him, and set him to
work in the sacred building. This might
have been five or six years before the time
of our story. The young man performed his
task with skill and effect unknown to the
experience of the builder in any common
workman.
"Your tools verify fly to your bidding"
said the employer to the employe one day as
he stood watching the Nazarene for long
time. Jesus laid down the tool in his hand,
and regarded the builder with strange
look. He replied that this might be posi-
BILE. Lazarus. in amazement inquired the
meaning of these words. The young man
l.. e knk oo4ro ook Iof
things unknown and unwrought were pos
sible. for which the times and the hearts of
men were not ripe.
ST comprehend you not, said Lazarus.
The carpenter was silent "But 1 do de-
sire it." continued the builder. "I perceive
you are a high-minded man, occupied with
thoughts not pleasure. You have reflected
more than I. I would that you explained
yourself, if you think me worthy of your
confidence" added Lazarus with the mod
esty of truly delicate nature, capable OF
recognizing its superior in an inferior social
position. The young workman responded
| quietly to this tribute, which seemed nei-
| ther to elate nor surprise him. He replied
that be must needs ask for seclusion if the
builder desired more from him concerning
the matter, which was not one, he said, suit
able for the curiosity or discussion of the
many.
Meet me on this spot" said the builder,
| sat dewfall after the return of the workmen
to their homes Then shalt thou explain to
me how tool can fly y do thy bidding"
at the hour appointed, the two men met
in a dusky portion Of the temple. The
priests chanted, and passed, and observed
them not. Worshipers prayed at q distance.
The hour and the place had sacred char
acter, and made upon Lazarus q lifelong
impression. The young Nazarene received
him quietly, and stood modestly, asking his
requirements.
carve thee a design of bunch of grapes
upon the frieze so feet above our heads,
said Lazarus, smiling.
ST promise naught," said the carpenter,
"but give it to me. Put the tool within my
hand"
The carpenter, having taken the burin,
pressed it to his forehead, and clasped it
strongly. Then, suddenly, finging it high
into the air, he exclaimed in deep voice:
'tFly yonder, and as thou art biddeng'
And, lol the tool sprang from the hand Of
the carpenter, flew like live thing to the
frieze 60 feet above the heads Of the men;
and there 1t did work before their eyes like
the fingers of man, and it carved design
upon the frieZe; and Lazarus looked upon
it, and behold it was a bunch Of grapes.
And then the tool fell to the ground, and it
was naught but tool; and the Nazarene
picked it up carelessly and laid it in its
place. But he said to the builder:
"See thou tell no man. Speak not Of
these things; for the time is not ready for
it, The two young men looked each other
solemnly In the eye.
"What art thou?" demanded Lazarus.
But Jesus made him no reply.
"Who art thou?" persisted Lazarus.
'"Time will teach thee" answered the
other.
From this hour a friendship sprang be-
tween the two young men,. It was closely
felt rather than closely cultivated; for their
ways led them apart Lazarus remained
true to the confidence of the Nazarene; he
made mention of it to no person from that
time forth; In fact even between themselves,
as is the way of reserved men, the wonder
was never again alluded to. Lazarus re-
garded that bit of mysterious carving in the
temple with certain awe; but his mind
never insisted on an explanation of the
phenomenon. The Oriental accepts mys-
terry naturally; Lazarus was not ignorant of
the marvels OF his country; but in anything
of this nature ne was totally inexperienced.
He never forgot it. In later years, when
the Nazarene grew into his tremendous pop
ularity as travelling rabbi; when the won
ders that he wrought were brought as tale
that is told, almost every week to the ears
of Lazarus, that little scene in the temple
came back to him significantly. Probably
it had prepared the prosperous, busy Jew
the more seriously to consider the awful
claims Of his friend when the time came
that these were presented to Jewish society.
During the public career of the Nazarene
the two had met; but less often than might
have been expected. Both men were alb
sorbingly busy, and in divergent ways. A
strong tenderness, however, remained ripe
between them. 1t had been the pleasure of
Lazarus boldly to entertain Jesus at his
house as often as possible; 1t vas not very
often. Lazarus had shown no pusillanimity |
in this matter. When the muttering began,
which menaced the usefulness and was
doomed to threaten the very life Of the
young religious teacher; when Sanhedrin |
and court, priest and Pharisee, marked the |
most spiritual man in Judea with their |
dangerous displeasure, the rich and inhuen-
tial citizen remained loyal to his early
affection for the poor itinerant. Lazarus
had been hospitable and affectionate to
Jesus. He called himself true. Up to this |
time he had been as attentive to his friend
as circumstance permitted.
Now, to him as to thousands Of live young
natures this had happened. The sea of love
was afOat or drowning, struggling for dear
lfe.
The final evening at the palace instituted
a duel OF rapture and despair in the soul of
Lazarus. At first delight dominated. Ia
hara loved him. Heaven and earth could |
not change that. But when the next day
wore on, and the next and another, and the |