The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-06-02

A LRAF NANALbaAAE NAA va ~ - A"'
ror of it all, revealed In his face tie re
yulsion Of feelings which the coolies
life Of Sodom was rolling in upon him.
1T Is not the seeking Of pleasuF
which brings me out this night, 10
responded, laying his hand on his son
in-law's arm. And | cannot share II
, your testing. for this place is to be de
/, stroyed; and we must feel"
Lot spoke so earnestly and positively
that his words for the moment stilled
the reckless spirits Of the men before
him.
Have you tidings Of the coming of q
hostile king and his army" quickly
questioned his son-in-law, Prince Bera.
I'VE were never better able to resist an
attack. / will see my father, the king
at once, that we may be prepared"
Nay, | would that it were only a hui
man foe we have to fear. But 1t Is more,
for the God Of Heaven hath SEN Hi.
messengers, saying that the city is to be
destroyed because of its wickednessi'
A wild chorus of laughter greeted
these words, and then followed coarse,
jesting and vile abuse such as Lot had
never before been forced to endure. At
last realizing that further effort TO con
vince his sOn-in-laW was useless, h,
broke away from him and the rest Of
the company, and disappeared in the
darkness.
Say, knew the old man was a little
queer sometimes, but he's crazy now,
sure remarked the prince when he had
gone.
He'll try to get your wife and her
sisters to go with him, I'll wager" spoke
up another.
They'll never 60" was the quick
response, and then, after a moments
silence, he suddenly clasped his hands.
on his knees and exclaimed, gleefully:
Here is a lark!"
They all shouted good" as he I'm.
folded his plans to them, and then
quickly separated.
In the meantime Lot had reached the
mousse of Princess Bera, and arouslng
ler ana her servants he quickly broke
TO her his startling message.
Come with me, lest you be con-
sUmed in this dreadful place"
1t was the first time Lot had referred
TO Sodom thus, but the terror of the
Lord was upon him, and the iniuuity
or the place had never been revealed
10 him before as it had that night.
Earnestly he pleaded, but his daush.
ter laughed him to scorn.
4 cannot tarry longer" at last cried
the hearth broken father, q must hurry
on to thy sisters. 1t may be that they
viii heed Gods warning! Oh, why did
| even bring my family into this
place."
At that moment the notes of lively
music broke on the air, and a gay COM
pany of people with much wild frolic
and laughter burst into the room.
"A dance and feast in honor of Lott"
shouted Prince Bera. as he came for.
ward and caught his wife for the
weird, rhythmic dance.
nil out This Is too good, she
cried why, father wants me 70 ~
the city"
And we have come to bid you good.
ey!' exclaimed the two sisters. who
haa come in with the other merry.
MAKERS and their shrill, sarcastic
iaugh sounded above the music and
mum OF the voices.
But father was just going to look
you up and take you with him? Have
you packed your things?" responded
'ne princess in light, reckless spirit.
AT this sally all laughed, and ono ot
the ~sons-in-law, turning to Lot, who
$1,000 looking in mute horror and an
guish upon the scene, asked. in a shirt
mock solemnity:
we shall miss you. Father Lot
When you are gone. May | have vour
place at the gate?"
II LOT before had failed to speak Of
tod, and to denOunce the ~wjckodrass
the place, not so now, for fear Of
iod and love for his children gave him
Doldness in the face of all the scorn
ridicule. He told of how the LORDS
messengers had come, of their warn
n OF how they awaited his re-
urn to lead them forth from the CITY
'elore it should be swept away.
Up get you out Of this place!~ he
,nalIy cried, for the Lord will DESTROY
his city"
ana oy way of response, the music
urst forth and the dancing and merry.
making Went on, and as Lot withdrew
hey shouted after him:
Wen keep things going unit, WI,
back. Sorry you can't stay and on.
~ yourself"
AS Lot retraced his steps to his own
ONE what a conflict ragged within himT
emorse, and bitter anguish. a guf1tr
'nscience. and the grief over the loss
his daughters tore at his heart ami
he passed along the streets and saw
the ~dawning light of the morrinr
-e signs on every hand of awakening
the activities of another dav he
allied how idle and vain had been ALI
his ambitions, He had centered all
S desires and ambitions here. and
w all was to be swept away. and be
to have--what? Only his life, Like
brand snatched from the burning, he
rs to be saved, but
had reached his own door and