The Tupelo journal., 1905-08-18

confusion attend
ant upon the celebration interfered.
All day long the wierd music had
in the feasting; he had watched the
dancing, and every now and then had
caught a glimpse of the fair daughter
of Beeri as she circled with the other
damsels about the great image, but
the opportunity he wanted most elud-
ed him, as though it would hold him
long in doubt and give him time TO
weigh the step he was about to take.
Circumstances were kind to him in
that they were making it hard for
him to take the misstep.
AS he saw the people in ecstacy OF
their excitement shout the praises of
their gods and bring their offerings
and lay them at the feet of the idol,
he had time to think and contrast it
with the worship of the true God of
his fathers. The words: Great is
the god of the Hittites," rang in his
ears-for priests and people chant
ed and shouted the words over
and over again-and he had time to
recall the words of his father as he
had spoken of the God-Jehovah, the
God of heaven and earth. More than
once his heart had smote him. More
than once he had moved about un-
easily trying to throw off the feeling
of depression which came as q result
of conscious violation of the faith and
practices of his own people. Over
and over again he had been troubled
by the thought of what his parents
would say. But his heart was rebelli-
Gus and impatient. He would not
listen to the voices speaking within.
He resolutely thrust aside the prompt
ings of his better self and declared
that he could take the girl without
taking her gods. He could have her
and leave the heathenish practices of
her people behind. But have her he
would. All, how he quarrelled with
himself that day. How he stified and
choked the better self into subsection.
Once while his host was standing
at his side and the people in a frenzy
were throwing themselves about the
altar before the image, Beeri had eX-
claimed, enthusiastically:
rs not that impressiTe?"
And he had nodded assent. And
Beeri following up the point gained,
asked:
Have you anything to compare
with it in your Worship"
To which he had replied: Nothing"
in a shame-faced sort of way, and
thinking that after all the religion of
his fathers was too narrow and un-
yielding and simple.
And late in the afternoon just as the
sun vas setting the music had stopped
and a hush had fallen upon the gath
ering and then, obeying the example
OF the priests, all the people had
thrown themselves PROSTATE with
their faces towards the image. He
had remained standing when he felt a
slight pressure on his arm and look
ing down beheld the form of Judith
standing there and motioning him to
his knees.
Come" she whispered, almost
sternly, "do not let the wrath of the
gods descend upon thee"
And without stopping to think and
yielding to her pressure and example
he did not care SO much, because his
thought was of her, and he felt con-
tented because she was at his side,
but when he arose to his feet she
had slipped away and was nowhere
to be seen. He felt annoyed that he
had yielded so easily, and vas yexed
that she had left him so unceremoni-
ously.
Moved by an Impulse to search her
out if possible, Esau started forward
and almost ran into a party coming
in the opposite direction.
Hello, have been looking for
you," exclaimed the man.
Esau looked up and saw Zion stand
ing before him, and the two gil.s,
Judith and Bashemath, near him.
And was just starting out to look
for you," he replied, pointing to the
girls.
They looked up inquiringly, and Esau
continued:
Where is Beeri? | have been try
ing all day to get a chance to talk with
him. But" he added, what did you
want to see me for?!"
I'VE leave tonight, and I wanted to
invite you to return home. Will you
go?"
Thou art kind, indeed, but / must
be returning to my own people in the
morning, for ere this | fear they are
concerned over my long absence"
A relieved look came into the face
OF Judith, and she whispered some
thing to her friend, while Esau and
Elon continued in conversation.
That night after Chief Elon and his
followers had taken their departure,
Esau found the opportunity to ask
Beeri for the hand of his daughter in
marriage.
YEA, on this one condition.: That
thou wilt take u second wife to thyself
Of the Utilities. The son of the rich
Isaac should never be content with one
wife