Carlsbad current., 1900-10-13
CHAPTER L

Jephthah. the uIIeadIte. had only one
child. a young maiden named Mama
pah. and beside her, he had neither son
nor daughter. Now. Jcphthah was a
mighty man OF vaior. and his name
was feared exceedingly, albeit he had
heart most kind and tender. and tho
chief treasure Of his heart was even
e ae maiden Namarah; for he had been
father and mother and all In all % the
young child. whose other parent had
died. and lett her TO the great soldier
as tho sole fruit Of a happy welded
lore. too early cut on BY death.
AZ the child grew into grlhood, Il
was known 10 her, by comparing her
father 10 tho other men she saw. that
he was not ~ they; a gloom was over
on his face, except when his eyes were
upon her. and then, indeed. he would
look Glad and smile. Namarah always
felt that - was the early death Of her
young mother that made her fathers
face look sad. even (whea agiow with
pride sho would look nc him all IN gilt
terlng armor) az he rode hls magnii-
cent war horse A. the head OF his host
For this. her heart was very tender 20
him, and she stl We the more 10 make
up 10 him by the sweet service OF her
love for what he had lost. As she grew
older. and stories OF the sin and folly
OF the world we're told her. there was
known 10 her deeper reason yet for
her fathers melancholy. The stern
grief Of childhood had preceded the
grief OF age, and. though she only
gained her knowledge by putting many
small hints and observations together.
sho learned that this gentle father had
been himself a neglected and abused
son. whose mother he had never
known. ana whose father and brethren
had treated him with cruelty and In
Justice. Az his fathers younger sons
grew up they hatod Jephthah because
he was stronger and OF q nobler pres
ence than themselves. and they thrust
him out OF their fathers house. that
they and their mother might be no
more offended at the sight OF him. SO
,Tephthnh fed from his brethren and
dwelt In the land OF Toh. But 30 great
a soldier was he. 90 majestic IN mp
WNAAMMhN MAiN ~ NNANNWA III HNMhH NMAA
the fame OF him went abroad through
out th0jland. and came even unto the
oars Of his brethren.
In the land OF Tob he took a wife,
and there we're spent his days OF hap
pinesa. ana there was born unto him
the child Namarah Bul 81 came "a
pass. before the babe could stand upon
its feet the wife OF Jephthah died and
was buried. and In all the world there
was no comfort 10 The man save In the
child Hamarah. Her be watched and
tonded az HIS all IN all. and no great
was his love and Kindness 10 her, that
her heart was knit to his. even as his
20 hers And In all the land there
was no maiden 80 fair and beautiful,
Her eyes were like cool streams OF linn
pid water. for olearReas and for blue
ness like the heaven above Her skin
for whltenesa. was like the leaves oi
some little woodland flower on which
the sun hath never shone, but which
tho gentle winds OF shady places have
famed and kept cool. Her hair won
derfui, soft and dusky. WAS like the
brown leaves OF the forest, and when
she shook Il down. II wrapped the slim
ness OF her body round aud clothed her
like q garment Her voice when she
spoke. was ever sweet and low. as the
cooling OF the wood doves IN the
branches, end when she lifted II 30
and sang with the maidons that wer'
her companions. II was. for clearnesa
like the sky lark's.
What wonder that Namarnh was an
W her father az the light OF his eyes
and that many young men, strong anc
goodiy 20 see. looked upon her with
favor and sought her 10 wife. Bul
Of All these she would have none. dis
daining even 10 hear them speak. and
saying only that her life and service
we're her fathers wholly. and she do
sired the love and companionshlp Of nc
man but him. when he was al home
she never left his side: tempting hli
appetite with dainty Flshes when n,
was exhausted aud IN need OF food
serving him with her own hands al
table. and bringing herself the fresi
water for hls ablutions; after which
she would bend her head for hts bless
ing, and then lft up her face with
= smile OF radiance good 10 cheer the
weary man. II II was his will 10 ataJ
AZ home and rest him from his atronu
Gus exercises Of arms. she would siI
beside him. and draw his great head
down upon her lap. and with her lit
tlo milk-whlte fingers rufIle or smooth
abe thick MASSES ~ his curly hair and
s~~s~e~~~~~.~~~~~-~-~ -~-~-~-~~-~@.~-@~~-N~-e
Cbino's Grsaf Viceroys.
since the Chinese troubles began
there have been frequent references "a