The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-11-03
was TO be spent,

80 @A"AA4
group Of merchantmen engaged in
earnest conversation. From their low
tones and the furtIye glances which
they cast in his direction frequently
ne felt that 1t was about him they were
talking.
He knew he was 10 be sold into
servitude. and that at that very mo.
ment they were planning how they
could make the best bargain, but a
strange calmness and resignation pos.
sessed him. When he had been sold
by his brothers to these traders, and
had found himself being carried far.
Their and farther from his indulgent
father and the home he so much loved,
he had been thrown into an agony
OF despair and grief, but his nature
was too hopeful and buoyant to be
long under such a spell, and instead
OF showing resentment towards his
new masters and yielding sulleD
obedience to their commands, he tried
to make the best of his misfortune.
The taunts Of his brothers still rang
in his ears and he wondered IL Gods
plans for him were to be thus spoiled
by their plotting and wickedness. He
would do the best he could wherever
circumstances placed him. Surely
God could be with him in Egypt as
we'll as at home with his father and
brethren. He would try to be faith.
full to the God of his father, cost
what it would, Such manly, kindly
bearing Dol won the favor and con
fidence OF the men into whose power
he had fallen, and after the restraint
and close guarding of the first few
days. larger liberties had been given
him. The letters had been taken off
his legs and he was permitted to
move about much as he chose, even
going on some occasions quite a dis
lance for the water supply. Where it
had been possible they had encamped
by the side of the well or spring
they CHANGED to find on the Journey,
but tonight they had come to a run.
ming stream and the camp had been
pitched some distance from its brink
in order that they might take adyan-
tage of the higher ground. Taking
the empty water skins on the back
of one Of the asses Joseph started for
the river, while the Ishmaelites con.
tinued their council.
1--WE shall sell him for a goodly
sum- one of the men was saying.
Yes responded the leader of the
company, stroking his scanty beard
thoughtfully, and peering after the
youth with cold, calculating eye, that
measured his favorable points, "he
Is well-favored, of strong limb, ami
able, and willing and capable. know
the Egyptian who will be willing to
pay roundly for him"
Who? You don't mean Puhor. the
keeper of the kings ~gardens?'
THE same"
by the gods thou art clever" ex-
claimed the first speaker, with a grin.
II was about to suggest him. for he
is always eager to obtain slaves who
have youth and beauty to commend
them"
"Yea, and he is always In need of
more, for under his severe exactions
the strongest soon age and lose their
beauty, and then thou knowest their
fate. But what is that?" he ex-
claimed, suddenly, as he lifted his
eyes and looked towards the river.
The others turned as he spoke and
saw a company Of Egyptian soldiers
~dismounting and giving their horses
drink neal the place where Joseph
was engaged In filling the water bot
ties. That they were impressed with
the attractiveIess Of the youth was
evident from the g~lances cast In his
direction, and after a moments con-
v~ersation among themselves the com
mander of the force went to him, but
Joseph, unable to understand what
was said to him, indicated by signs
that he belonged to the company Of
traders yonder and was being taken
10 Egypt to be sold. As he watched
the soldiers remount and ride onward
at a smart canter, he felt the impulse
to jump on the ass and ride away
with them. And then as quickly re-
alizlng the folly Of such a course, he
lifted his eyes to heaven and breathedl
a prayer that God would take care OF
him.