St. Tammany farmer., 1905-10-07

out longlngly over the surrounding
landscape as though searching fo1
some one whom she was expecting.
Why does he not come?" she ex-
claimed, anxiously. "Eilhah," she
talled. addressing her maid within
did not father Laban say that he
would send Jacob word?''
He did. but he seemed displeased
ind muttered as he turned away
omething about Jacob leaving his
locks too much"
Rachel's brow clouded. She felt the
Injustice Of her fathers exactions. He
yas q hard taskmaster, and begrudged
acob the time OF his visits home,
rhich during the past year had been
1ore frequent than usual, for he was
ull Of tender solicitude for her. But
4 oW he had been away fully month
Go, Bilhah," she urged, Impatient
y. "ask father Laban why Jacob
\ cmes not
And as the woman FASTENED on,
tachel continued to look away across
he fields. How lonely her heart felt
hat evening. She longed to share
With her beloved Jacob the joy OF her
on's birth. How proud and glad he
would be. How through the years
heir hearts had yearned for Gods
I avor. And now with their hopes and
rayers realized Jacob was absent
rom her. and she felt that the glad
vent was robbed Of half its joy.
n All, precious baby" she murmured,
how hard 1t is to wait. =
ITO wait for what, my lover ex-
laimed q voice, and the next moment
\ ihe found herself In Jacobs strong
lrms.
s1oh, Jacob. see!. holding up the
,aby, It's boy-our boy!"
Yes, i know, responded Jacob,
taking the little one tenderly In his
arms, and looking at him with proud
eyes. Il met Bilhah as she was on her
way to Laban's, and she told me the
glad news Z And then In answer to his
wife's questions he went on to explain
how Laban had visited the focks near
II two weeks before and had objected
to his leaving them at that time, de-
sc1arirg ill-naturedly that he was neg
lecting his work, and so he had re-
NAMED, knowing that but q few more
days remained Of his seven years of
service.
And now we are free. Your father
has no further claim upon us.
And what will You do now?" Rachel
asked, wonderingly, not comprehend
Ing tho full meaning Of the situation.
.sDo? Has not God kept me during
I'll these years Of hardship and toll,
ana cow He has done this that He has
elyen me son OF thee. / would re-
turn unto the land Of my fathers
.sBut how? We have nothing we can
call our, own.
q Jacob stared at his wife, while con-
nicting emotions Of blank astonish-
ment, disappointment and Indignation
played over his features. His mind
had been 20 elated over the thought
that his years Of servitude were ended
and that he could now return to the
land God had promised to give him and
his seed as 4 possession that he had
not thought or his poverty. He re-
memhered al the IA years Of faithful
service. He had taken Laban's few
flocks and herds. and under his care
they had become vast possessions. But
Ii was all Laban's.
ssFourteen years he said slowly;
sbut i have thee, Z he exclaimed, with
sudden emotion, placing his arm about
his beloved Rachel and drawing her to
And the baby" !" she added, smiling
into his face Is she took and fondled
him ID her breast. sBut that does not
rive Us came1s and asses to ride on
and docks TO nourish rs on tho Jour
ney.
.sllaay, but We have God. We can
trust Him. Did He not lead my feet
fhither? And win He not lead us back!
rIe Ms promised US the land. He will
provide. :.
q . nut when next day Jacob broached
ia subject of his going to Laban, that
Individual was flled with disappoint-
rnent ana alarm. How could be get
aionx without Jacoh9 He knew only
foo vel how much he owed his pros
nerftv to the faithful services Or his
S