The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-09-08

II EMH
vas q finishing blow that you gave
him But he caught you som pretty
vicious digs with his claws during his
death Struggles"
We'll, no bones are broken, any,
way, Jacob rejoined, struggling to his
feet and swinging his arms and his
legs by way Of testing. Nothing worse
than a few bruises and ugly scratches"
oh, Jacob, am so thankful"
sobbed Rachel, smiling through her
tears.
How came you out by the sheep
loldF' broke in Laban, euriously.
The question carried Jacob back to
the m~editations Of the night before.
HE did not know what to answer. In
confusion he looked from Rachel's face
to that of Laban. and at last blurted
out.
I was Observation-Disclosures
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 IS 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 a hap.
py thought struck him.
81 will serve thee for Rachel, thy
younger daughter" he exclaimed,
boldly.
well, 1t is better that I give her
to thee. than that | 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 as
he would for a camel or a sheep. Love
must name a goodly price.
Il will serve thee seven years." he
Seven years?r responded Laban,
quickly, wondering If he had heard cor.
rectly. BE it as thou hast said" and
he chuckled to himself as he walked
away, leaving the family group in en-
barrassed silence.
"And you're going to stay!' whis-
pered Rachel, as she came to Jacobs
side.
For you he responded, eagerly.
"Oh, I'm so 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 her. What was
that? A sob? He turned and caught
a fieeting 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 a les
son in sharp dealing at tie hands of
the craftier Laban. Over and over
again he r~pninaea 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 oases in the desert to the traveller,
and made him patient in his service.
Under his wise, faithful care the
flocks and herds Of Laban Increased
until the mar became very rich. Five
years, six years went by and the sew
enth had begun.
"Ab, my love-" Jacob said, gayly, as
he departed after n of his brief Wis.,
its, "only a 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 If Laban knows it. 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.
| will manage it." And Laban's wife
smiled cu~nningly as size resumed her
work and Laban departed.
Seven more years, Jacob? All, !
feared thy love would not endure the
test"
MY love, l care not now, now that
l have thee. The seven years served
Cor thee seemed as but a few days, be-
,,,,sa nj nv love for thee. and now