St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-06-03

g. I WASA tAC uCpoA
il Nv ing sun is saying
it's last good night
before dipping behind the western
crags of the rugged hills, and the first
fresh whiffs of the cool mountain air
are descending and whispering thel-
welcome greetings. 1t is a time When
heat and cold mingle in delightful fell
lOWship, and all nature is astir in glad
appreciation.
The flocks on the hillside which have
all day long sought the shade of the
sheltering rocks and trees now browse
in the open and enjoy the retreatlng
sunlight and balmy air. The birds
that have rested quietly in their leafy
bowers during the midday heat are
astir, and as they fit hither and
thither in search Of their evening meal
their CHEEKY notes are heard. 1t is
a time when all nature seems in har-
monious and sympathetic fellowship.
Beyond a clump Of giant oak trees,
through whose spreading branches the
ample outlines of a commodious tent
are discernible, man and woman
are seen leisurely walking. The loose,
flowing robes of each, brilliant IN
their rich colorings, lend picturesque
ness to the scene. and emphasize, rath-
er than conceal, the splendid physique
and manly bearing of one, AID the
grace and beauty of the other. 1t can
be seen that neither one is what
would be called young, and yet 1t
would be hard to guess their ages. for
the years have dealt kindly with them,
and there are a freshness and buoy
ancy in face and figure which speak OF
the vigor and fire and hope of youth.
AS the woman pushed stone ont
of her pathway with her sandaled foot,
she said, petulantly:
THE rich plain Of the Jordan valley
should have been yours, Abraham. Ii
you had listened to me, Lot never
would have taken such unfair advan-
tage Of you, and you. instead OF he,
would be enjoying the luxury and ease
of that beautiful and fruitful country
Abraham was silent. while look of
panied sadness passed over his face.
A few days before tidings had come
from Sodom of the prosperity Of Lot,
who, since his choice of the garden
spot in the valley of the Jordan, had
grown very rich in focks and herds
and silver and gold, and had gone to
live in the luxurious and gay city of
who NJ h nd
come to him. So sharp was the con-
trast between the circumstances and
position of Abraham and Lot. that
Sarah could not help but feel keen
~ that an injustice had been done.
.'But hath not God told me that
northward and southwark, eastward
and westward, was to be my posses
sion, and that of my children, for
ever" at last responded Abraham, the
confident note of faith ringing in his
voice. Thou knowest how God spoke
to me after Lots departure, and gave
me this promise
"Yea, but when?" impatiently broke
in the other LOT is possessed OF
all that his heart could wish. while
YOU even now are dwelling in a place
that is not your own; our tent is
snread under the oaks of Mamre. the
Amorite, and Eshcol and Amer. his
brothers possess with him the land.
"God has promised. We must wait,
was the simple response Of Abraham
and they walked on in silence.
The air was growing cool, and the
shadows lengthening as Abraham and
his wife returned to their tent and pre-
pared for the evening meal. 1t was
eaten in silence. for each was occu-
pied with the thought and conflict
within, and while thus engaged hur-
ried footsteps were heard without, and
the next instant breathless runner
burst into their presence, and threw
himself half in exhaustion and hall
in ceremonious bow at the feet OF
Abraham.
The incoherent tumble of words
which poured from the parched lips
of the excited and trembling strange!
told Abraham that some startling and
dreadful thing had happened. and be
caught the words: "Battle!-Sodom!-
Lot! -defeat-capture!" Finally. with
much questioning Abraham learned
the whole story of the battle of the
kings in the vale of Siddim. of the de
feat of the southern kings. Of the plum
dering of Sodom and Gomorrah. and
the carrying away captive of the in
habitants. among them Lot, with al
his family and substance.
If any feelings of resentment
over the selfishness of Lot in his treat
ment of them arose in the hearts OF
Abraham and Sarah; if any feelings OF
exultation or satisfaction over the mis-
fortune which had befallen him; ii any
promptings to say: 1T serves him right
let hin alone to his just deserts" there
were Ii, outward evidences of such, TO,
Abraham was quickly giving orders tc
his servants. and Sarah and her women
we're soon busy doing what they could
to prepare the men for the journey. AL
was stir and excitement in the camp
and soon the trained men gathered
and, mounted and armed, they roee
fort u