St. Tammany farmer., 1905-11-18


ing but surly words and cold, for
bidding looks in response to his cheer,
sallies and vigorous effcrts. And a:
he lay awake, watching the stars over
head, he felt detected ant troubled
Why should his brothers treat hin
SO? He wondered, as he looked up
ward, if God knew and cared Ant
then the thought came to him, as he
noticed that each star had its place
and flashed forth its light gladly ant
freely, that it must be so on earth
and that each person had his place tt
fill and must do his best. The thought
comforted him and he fell to studying
what plans God had for him in the
coming years, for he had reached tha
period in life when the young life re
responds eagerly to the hope and as
pirations of the future. Thus occupied
in mind, he fell asleep, and in hi!
dreams it seemed that the sheaves Of
the field began marching about and
that suddenly all fell PROSTATE to the
ground before one of the sheaves that
came and stood at his side and which
he recognized as his sheaf, for upon
its top rested the beautiful coat OF
many colors. So vivid was the vision
that he .awoke with start and in
jumping up his feet caught in his
blanket and he fell across his brother
Reuben, lying next to him. With q
loud exclamation of surprise and an
ger, which aroused all the rest, the lat
ter leaped to his feet and, seizing Jo
seph, demanded to know what was
the matter. With much confusion and
embarrassment Joseph related his
dream, and the angry words of scorn
which were cast at him as he finished
frightened him.
You blasphemer you,' fercely cried
Judah, shalt thou indeed reign over
us? or shalt thou indeed have domin-
ion over us? Lie down there and let
us hear no more of your wild dreams q
But again as he fell into troubled
sleep he dreamed yet again and
thought that the sun and moon and
IL stars stepped down from the dis.
tant heavens and bowed themselves
before him. What could it mean? ?
The thought of self was forgotten
in the larger thought of Gods pur-
poses and plans. and SO next morning
when his brothers in malicious hatred
bickered and abused him because of
his dream, and asked with a sneer il
he had any more dreams to tell them,
he frankly related his second vision.
And their anger burst forth afresh,
and they hated him yet more and
drove him from them, and then when
he had gone they took counsel to-
gether how they might punish him for
his impudence.
"It is nothing but the blasphemy of
q wicked heart" declared judah.
Father ought to know this. Such
wicked pretensions ought to be pun.
ished.'
..He shall not lord 1t over us any
longer" fiercely exclaimed Dan, as
they started homeward, NOR fiaunt
the insinuations Of his so-called
dreams in our faces"
"Yes," broke in Cad, as he thought
of his own evil ways, and imputed
evil to others, as is the manner of the
wicked, hes not as good as he would
like to have others think he is, and
he is always spying on us"
In this temper they appeared before
their father, whom they found seated
before his tent, with Joseph at his
feet. The latter's face was flushed
and the father was so earnestly talk
ing with him that he did not observe
the presence of the brothers, who had
come up behind him, until Joseph
rose to give them welcome, no sign
of resentment appearing in his man.
ner, as he greeted them with: Peace
be to thee"
Utterly ignoring his salutatioa, but
bowing respectfully before their ia.
ther, who had risen hastily to receive
them, they at once broke forth in their
complaint against their brother.
'.Yea, I know" responded Jacob,
after he had listened patiently to their
story, Joseph himself hath told me of
his dreams
And should we suffer such pre-
tense? Should we allow. this mere
to exalt himself above his
father and brethren?" demanded
Judah, who acted as spokesman.
May" responded the father, quick
", Il have but just been rebuking him
Tor the vain imaginations of his heart.
"But, father, / have only told thee
and my brothers what has come to me
In my Dreams" Joseph interposed,
earnestly.
"Tush, tush, my son" he replied,
sharply. Shall and thy mother and
Thy brethren indeed come to bow
aown ourselves to thee to the earth?"
II know not as to that, but can
,ut tell thee the TRUTH" stoutly main
aimed the boy, looking frankly into
he faces of his father and brothers.
He ought Ito be punished for his
mpudence," muttered one Of the boys,
md the rest by nod of head and venge.
ul looks signified how heartily they
IcQuiesced In that view, and they
watched Jacob narrowly to see what
l6 would do.
1.-THE boy is evidently sincere %
quickly responded the father, unwill-
ng to entertain for an instant the
hought Of inflicting punishment upon
he boy he loved SO well. THAT his
reams are the strange fancies Of his
oung brain believe, but I do not |
hink he is guilty Of false pretensions
o this matter. He shall not be pun.