The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-07-29

CS time!
Go Esau turned his
head at the sound of the voice. but with
out stopping he replied. bluntly:
Same old chase. Bound TO get that
antelope to-day"
I'D give 1t up, II / were you," ex'
claimed Jacob.
"Humph! know you would, shout
cd back the hunter. IF father depend
ed on you he'd never know the taste oil
tenison."
Esau had good-Latured contempt
Tor his brother. He viewed him as a
sort of weakling, and on occasion did
not hesitate to express himself on that
point, as in the present inslance. But
although Jacob felt the thrust he ven-
tured no reply. but turning. entered the
tent, while Esau continued at vigor-
out gait down the path.
It was evident that Rebekah had over
heard the last remark of Esau, for as
she took the jar from Jacob she ejacu-
lated with much spirit, at the same time
casting a swift glance in the direction
of Isaac. who sat on the farther side
OF the tent:
''Venison is not the only thing to be
desired"
What's that, mother" he said, look
ing up.
'T say that Esau better stay at home
aud help lcok after things instead OF
failing some frightened deer over the
mountainside. We need him more than
We need his venison!"
Jacob did not linger TO hear what
reply his father would make, but hur-
ried off to attend to ore of the lambs
which his watchful eye had discovered
that morning lying with one OF its legs
injured. He was a careful husband
nan, and had it not been for his faith
fuinees, the asy-going, venison-loving
Isaac would have been poorer by many
a lamb. and many measure of grain.
And so while Esau roamed the fields
with wild, free spirit Jacob busted
himself at home. He was keen cal
ruiatcr. and careful manager, knowing
how to obtain the largest increase. or
drive the shirpest bargain, and his
mothers nature ard spirit were in per-
f.ct harmony with her thrifty SOM But
isaac loved Esau. He ate of his venson,
and delighted in the stories of the chase.
perhaps because his nature and train
ing under the gentle Sarah had shut
him out of that wild realm in which
his big, strong. agile son reveled
Now Isaac had long since learned
In a la =
sharp tongue. and 50 on this occasion
nc maintained disoree. silence, and
presently she tondrred her complaint
"One would think from Esau's shift
less. worthless habits that the only
worthy ambition in life was to hunt
veaison. and the only thing worth do
iug after 1t was killed was TO cat H."
Isaac WINGED under the sharp thrust
auI feeling that some kind of show al
defense must lie male. he said:
who was 1t cleaned out that den
of lions after the fockS had been raw
aged? Who was II that trailed the great
she bear that had killed one of the cam
els, and fearlessly attacking her in her
lair, and fought her in hand-to-hand
conflict and slew her! Who was IL who
set the traps which caught the foxes
that were causing us so much trouble
Surely Esau has served us well on more
than one occasion!"
"All that is true" Rebekah admitted.
"but II the care and management of
the flOcks and herds had been left to
Esau, there would have been none for
lions. or bears or other beasts to have
troubled"
''Oh. well. when the responsibility of
tie inheritance as elder son comes upon
him he will change apologized the ia
ther, ever ready to make excuses for
his favorite son.
skeptically. Hes been changing for
the worse ever since he was boy.
Never could be depended on
And II was true, for as mere lad he
had manifested the wild free nature. and
il set to tend the sheep he was more
than likely to become interested in set
ting some trap In the field and forget all
about his charge. Or II sent on an err
rand q skurryiDg rabbit or other small
animal was sure to tempt him from the
pathway and that was the last of the
,errand And as he grew into young
manhood. he chaffed more and more
under restraint and the work and life
of the home. and for this reason he made
the distant fields, and woods and noun
tains his favorite retreat.
Such habits we're constant source
OF irritation to the thrifty mother, and
she coaxed. and scolded, and even tried
TO drive her recreant son to abandon
such an aimless life. But 1t was all to
no purpose, and naturally her affection
and pride centered In the steady. pa
Gent. pIodding, provident Jacob.