St. Tammany farmer., 1905-09-30

AoAA~-
way Jacob rejoined, struggling to hfs
feet and swinging his arms and his
legs by way of testing. Nothing worse
than few bruises and ugly scratches. .
"Oh, Jacob, am SO thankful =
sobbed Rachel, smiling through her
tears
How came You out by the sheep
foidr broke in Laban, ouriously.
The question carried Jacob back to
the meditations Of the night before.
He did not know what to answer. In
confusion he looked from RachePs face
to that Of Laban. and at last blurted
out:
II was thinking -thlnking-about
going home,' he finished UP, his cour-
age failing him to tell the exact truth.
Laban's face fell and disappointment
was in his voice a. he hastily rejoined: !:
Nay, nay, abide here. Thou canst
not do better. Because thou art my
brother, shouldest thou therefore serve
me for naught? Tell me, what shall
thy wages be-"
''Wages?" thought Jacob. He raised
his eyes to those of Rachel, who was
looking at him appealingly. and hap
py thought struck him.
II will serve thee for Rachel, thy
younger daughter" he exclaimed,
boldly.
I4aban felt the nudge his wife gave
him. He heard her whispered words:
Remember Leah" He knew what she
meant, but Laban was driving bar
gain now, and not considering TIE fine
points OF the customs OF his people.
Whether or not it was right to give
the younger in marriage before the
elder he cared not just then. He would
make the bargain first and settle that
point later. The first CONSERVATION
which he had felt when Jacob had
limited that he was ging home had now
given place to the sharp dealing Of the
trickster. With the subtlety Of the
trained bargainer whom he realizes
that he holds the trump card and can
play It when he will, hs responded,
with apparent reluctance:
well, it In better that give her
to thee, than that I should give her
TO another man." and then added:
But how long shall thy service be?'
What could Jacob say? He could
not bargain for his beloved Rachel al
he would for camel or q sheep. Love
must name q goodly price.
Il will serve thee seven years." he
said.
Seven years." responded Laban.
quickly, wondering II he had heard cor
rectly. BE 1t rs thou hast said" and
he chntkled to himself as he walked
away, leaving the family group in em-
barrassed silence.
'And you're going to stay" whis-
pered Rachel, as she came to Jacobs
side.
For you" lie responded, eagerly.
'tOh, I'm 50 happy" and the fair
Rachel blushed prettily, and then, not
ing the frown on her mothers face,
she hurried away and busted herself
with her morning work.
Jacobs eyes followed Eer. What was
that? A sob? He turned and caught
deeting glimpse of Leah as she dis
appeared IN her mothers tent, but he
was too happy to wonder long, for
Rachel was betrothed to him and the
years would soon slip by. But the
crafty Jacob was to learn many les
son In sharp dealing at tie hands OF
the craftier Laban. Over and over
again was he reminded of his own
subtlety In dealing with his brother
and father by some sharp practice at
the hands OF Laban. But despite the
hardships. despite the exactions of his
grasping master, the years passed
swiftly. The glimpses he had Of his
fair Rachel and the occasional smile
and bit Of conversation on his brief
visits to Laban's home after the long
seasons IN the distant valleys with tie
sheep and cattle were like the refresh
Ing cases in the desert to the traveller,
and made him patient in his service.
4 Under his wise, faithful care the
flocks and herds of Laban increased
until the man became very rick. Five
years, six years went BY and the sew
enth had begun.
All, my love-" Jacob said, gayly, as
he departed after one Of his brief Wis
its, 'only few more months now. and
/ shall claim thee as my bride"
Laban overheard the words as he
was sitting In the shadow Of his tent,
and he muttered to himself:
mot IL Laban knows Il. Seven
years are too little, anyway" And. ris-
Ing, he sought out his wife and had q
long talk with her.
And Leah shall be given to him In
stead Of Rachel? Thy plan is good.
l will manage t." And Laban,s wife
smiled cunningly as size resumed her
work and Laban departed.
Seven more years, Jacob! All, I
feared thy love would not endure the
test"
my love, care not now, now that
| have thee. The seven years served
for thee seemed as but few days, be-
cause Of my love for thee, and now
with thee at my side, my chosen bride.
think you, Rachel, tLat seven more
years will not quickly pass?''
They stood in the spot where seven
years before they had met Like 4
dreadful nightmare seemed the week
which had just passed-the cruel de-
reption. the separation, the days Of
doubt and suffering. Those were dark