Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-12

think with less; since the hospitality Of thei
house came to be valued BY the peace-lovinl
and quiet seeking; perhaps it should b
added, however, by the peace and quie
bringing.
Lazarus was a man we'll blessed with thil
worlds goods, and if house were the sol,
point of view from which to regard life
qualified to dwell in larger than Simon's
But Lazarus was not q married man; anc
willing to forego trivial importance for the
more solid domestic comfort. For the truth
must be told. Mary he revered-nay, Mary
he did love devotedly. But Mary was moi
born for q housekeeper.
Martha's tongue on the whole was offset
by her cooking. The three combined their
several home qualifications in one success
full household contentedly. The house con-
tinued to be known in Jerusalem and Its
suburbs as that of Simon the Leper. Lag
arus satisfied his bachelor taste by extern
sive and excessive addition to what was
already the finest house in Bethany; mod
ernized his own elegant apartments and
preserved therein the sweet liberty of soli-
tude.
This was convenient on all sides, for, as
Martha said: "Who wanted too much of a
man?''
But Lazarus and Mary, his sister, used tn
talk together, in quiet places and at quiet
times; on the cool side of the little Greek
portico that he had added, or in his own
court after sunset, or on the Sabbath when
they were weary and had performed all that
the law required at the synagogue of the
village.
These three people lived an ideal subur-
ban life; and in most respects the suburban
is the ideal life. TO practical ends. Wealth,
influence, character and the peace of an
Il, ,,ln
details Lazarus added the vigorous pleasure
of a successful and remunerative trade.
He was what we should call a master
builder. The meanest of honest trades was
respected among his people, and success
like his received a general Difference. Lack
of this was found only among men of supe-
rior rank or of high-caste conservative
theological views For Lazarus was a con-
scientiOus, influential Pharisee, the pro-
gressive, the protestant, the come-outer of
his faith and his times. His position was
that of rich, middle-class reformer.
Martha had raised no objections to the
addition to her house. Lazarus being in
the business, it struck her as the proper
thing.
sit will not cost so much" said she.
''And need more space for the women,
mvself."
On this day we speak Of when Martha
was troubled about the rugs, Lazarus came
home at sunset, thoughtful and reserved.
Martha began at once:
"What sils you, Lazarus? You wear 8
sour face"
''Oh, not sour face!'' cried Mary, "Our
brother is weary. See you not, Martha?
He hath borne too heavily the heat and
burden of the day. We women who SIT
apart in the cool of tine house should remem-
hor hon he 4osl laFh - 4ha
This was a long speech for Mary; and
Martha little surprised thereat received it
with equally unusual silence; she left the
room and the discussion to prepare the even
ing meal. Mary and Lazarus sat together.
She asked him no questions but he spoke at
once; as if she had done so.
HAS word come from our guest, Mary?"
mo word, my brother"
"I thought we had seen him, BY this.
The people press hard upon him, and over
wear him. They kill him with their
troubles-sick, lame, blind, leper, and
worse than either. They load him down
with them as load the slave that carries
my stone. 1t is said that for nigh a week
he has not been known to resi- like other
men; he goeth to the mountain top and
prayeth there
"All the night?" asked Mary pitifully.
Her sensitive face had flushed at the first
mention Of him of whom Lazarus spoke.
''They say who have seen him closely that
he carries the face of a sleepless man."
"John the fisherman made mention to me
of this" added Lazarus, 81 met him at the
fish market tonight. He spoke many words
to me upon the matter. He said: There is
q man starving for Sleep"
''He resteth in our upper chamber" re-
piled Mary in tone of something like en-
treaty. 'He resteth peacefully. Know you
not, Lazarus, how his eyes look when
he corneth to us in the morning."
81 have been expecting him." said
Lazarus.
His masculine fewness of words expressed
no less eager sympathy than his sisters more
ardent manner"
'And L" she said beneath her breath,
''every dsy-every night. He cometh not -
''Think you, Lazarus she asked, timid-
", after a pause, during which she had
crept upon low ottoman near her brothers
feet "think you that he wearieth of us?'
''I have seen many desert him." answered
Lazarus in a ringing voice. 1 never knew
him forsake human creature"
Mary nodded silently. A beautiful
luminOusness stole into her eyes. She lifted
them to the mountain top towering above
her. Her whole face and figure seemed TO
be at prayer.
At this moment Martha entered, bustlinp.
Come, come Supper is served, and YOU
two sit there like mummies while 1 play
slave for you Come, Mary Hasten and
serve Come, Lazarus What bothers YOU
now?"
Important business concerns, said Laza-
rus with dignity. Martha offered no retort
She had q great respect for business. It
meant money and position; it meant things
she understood.
81 am considering" said Lazarus, as he
sat at supper, ga contract which has been
offered me to-day. 1t is one of import
ance"
"a new customer" queried Martha with
animation. But Mary showed no interest
iE the new customer. She had relapsed
into q sweet dream. She served her brother
while he sat at meat, like an angel walking
on 8 floating cloud that would bear one
away at breath-who knew whither?
''Yes," observed Lazarus, 81 am asked to
remodel portions of the palace"
"Palace?" cried Martha. 'f0f Annas.
the High Priest? Has he given you an
order?"
''I speak of none other" said Lazarus
calmly; "I do the work Of an honest man.
Is that not goodenough for priest or beggar?
And have not wrought upon the sacred
temple?''
Take it by all means" said Martha
with her shrewd look. when shall you
begin?"
''Immediately, if at all, replied Lazarus.
land am inclined to follow your advice.
sister Martha. Your judgment passes the
judgment of women upon affairs of house
and trade"
These few words fattered and pleased
Martha immensely; she became gOod-natured'
at once; they were easy words to speak too,
and quite true. Lazarus never said what ]
was not true, even for the sake of domestic |
peace. Women of Martha's type NAV be as |
conscious of their unpopulsrity as they are /
of their necessity to society. Appreciation |
mas the highest mathematical value TO those |
who do not get much of it. The tough-fbred, |
practical woman is never as much beyond |
the need of it as she seems to be. Martha |
had chronic conviction that people ''took" |
to her younger sister at her expense. Lazarus |
knew this quite we'll. To save his life he |
could not help loving Mary better. But his |
Just soul sought the more severely to reeog- |
nike Martha's good points.
The three went up to the roof Of the |
l. a. !