The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-06-16

not lshmael, my son, snare IN our Joys
| and pleasures, and Ii plans?"
Nay" quickly responded Sarah,
but dost thou not remember that the
son of the bondwoman can have no
part with the son of promise? Hast
thou forgotten how the Lord hath
spoken, saying that He would make
His covenant with Isaac, and not Ish.
mael?"
The force of Sarah's words evident.
ly impressed Abraham deeply, for as
he turned to so, he said in quiet, sad
tone Of voice:
81 will arrange it according to thy
wish"
Late that afternoon Ishmael
trudged along behind the fiocks, bitter
resentment filling his heart.
They are sending me off to get rid
of me for the feast tomorrow" he
muttered. at is not fair! Mother
says | have as good right to be there
as Isaac, for am | not Abraham's SOM"
Such was the burden Of Ishmaers
thoughts, and the longer he pondered
the situation, and the farther he jour.
neyed from home, the more positive
became the conviction that grievous
injustice was being done him. Sud.
denly he stopped, as a thought flashed
into his mind, and he exclaimed:
"IIl do it! I'll do it,"
Tl,A -1-Lt -rbnn JapknorG hDH fol.
len and the herder was rounding up
some of the scattering sheep, Ishmael
slipped away and started back
towards home. The next morning he
fingered on the outskirts of the tented
area, for he dared not make his pres.
eace known. AS he lay hidden in the
bushes neal enough to see and hear, he
watched the guests arrive, and lis.
tened to the busy hum Of voices as the
visiting and merry-making went on.
He saw the gifts as they were borne to
Sarah's tent to be presented to little
Isaac, and later he saw the latter in his
gorgeous robes, such as the heir Is ac-
customed to wear on such occasions, be.
ing borne aloft, while the assembled
guests bowed before him and then with
loud acclaim proclaimed him Abraham's
heir and wished him long life and pros
perity and power. Then came the
feasting, and Ishmael, who had eaten
nothing since the night before, found
his hunger overcoming his fears, and
leaving his hiding place he crept in to
where some of the servants were feast
ing and making merry. Gladly they
made place for him, for the boy was a
general favorite with them, and while
they cast knowing glances at each other,
they piled him with questions as to
where he had been and why he was not
sharing in the festivities.
With a sueer in the direction of Isaac,
and a shrug Of the shoulders, Ishmael
snarled:
why should all be given to Isaac?
Am | not Abraham's son?"
1.-THE boy is right" chuckled one dark
visaged fellow, by way of encourage
ment, and then noting the responsive
mods GA every side, and the Frightening
Of Ishmael's countenance, he continued:
Here's to Ishmael, Abraham's heir"
The spirit of reckless fun then seized
the rest Of the group. One fellow threw
over Ishmael's shoulders in lieu of the
robes of the heir one of the brilliant rugs
lying on the ground, and all bowed be-
fore him in mock solemnity. The COM
motion drew the attention of the rest
of the company, and Sarah beholding,
took In the situation at a glance, while
the guests thinking it only some merry
frolic of the servants turned again to
their feasting and chatter.
But not SO Sarah, and after the guests
had all departed and she and Abraham
were alone, her pent-up feelings burst
forth;
Cast out this bondwoman and her
son" she fercely and abruptly ex.
claimed. For the son Of this bondwom-
an shall not be heir with my son, ever
with Isaael"
In bawildered surprise and sorrow,
Abraham by questioning learned Of the
incidents OF the afternoon, but the
harsh measures which his wife proposed
seemed very g~rievous unto him, for he
loved Ishmael, hut natural affection
often brings one at cross purposes with
faith and the plans of God.
Abraham bowed his head in grief aud
spake not.
!, Cast out this bondwonsn and her
SON.. again demanded Sarah, 'for ho
shall not be heir with my N, even With
~Isaac,'
And Abraham, the father OF Ishmael
the son OF The bondwonisn. and the IA.
! tier OF Isaac. the son Of promise, stroGe
ont into the right in silence. 10 iish:
out tina Issue alnna With God.