St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-07-15

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TANSfk bOndWOman
~ AItM~ her SON." The
~ M words fell upon
e<N1lMN the boys ear'as he
EQ|lNn lay concealed IN
~ fsSNAaNz. the bushes not far
~. ~ from the tent door.
That evening as
darkness fell he had yielded to an ir-
resistible impulse, and crept close to
Abraham's tent, wondering the while
whether they knew he had returned
and had been present at the feast. But
as Sarah poured her complaint into
Abraham's ear he soon learned that
she did know.
His first impulse was to spring to
his feet and rush off to tell his mother,
but checking himself, he lay still
straining his ears to hear Abraham's
reply. But no sound came from the
tent save what seemed to him like
groan, and the anger and resentment
which first filled his heart gradually
gave place to an oyerpowering sense of
loneliness and separation. Would his
father turn against him? Had he
ceased to love and care for him since
Isaac had come? The moments as he
waited seemed like hours. The nerv-
Gus strain was beginning to tell
upon him, and he was trembling as
though afflicted with the ague. Again
the sharp, insistent voice Of Sarah was
heard:
Cast out this bondwoman and her
son; for the son of this bondwoman
shall not be heir with my son, even
with Isaac!"
Again the groan, and then the form
Of Abraham appeared in the doorway,
and in the dim light shining from
within he caught a glimpse Of his ia
TIERS grief stricken face, and he knew
that he cared. What comfort 1t
brought to his heart! How it cheered
him!
Mother" exclaimed the boy, after
he had told her all, why is it that we
have to suffer so? Is there no place
for me? Does not God care?"
ooh my SOM" moaned the mother,
at is all deep mystery to me! I
understand it not, save that in thy
birth was not realized the promise OF
God to Abraham And when Isaac
was born to the aged Sarah then all
thought concerning thee was changed
And while they talked thus together
and CROPPED for the light, Abraham
struggled alone in the darkness before
Gods altar. It was conflict between
affection and faith, between the nat
ural and the spiritual, for Ishmael, the
son born after the flesh, could have no
place or part In Gods plans for Isaac,
the son of promise. And God said unto
Abraham:
"Let it not be grievous in thy sight
because of the lad, and because of thy
bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath
said unto thee, hearken unto her
voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be
called. And also of the son Of the
bondwoman will make nation, be-
cause he is thy seed
God asks us to do the hard thing
sometimes, that out of it blessing may
come. It was so with Abraham, and In
obedience and faith he followed the
pathway pointed out by God.
Sarah noted the air of quiet decision
with which Abraham entered the tent,
and her quick intuition told her what
his answer would be to her demand.
Reaching out her hand and placing it
lovingly upon her boy as he lay sleep
ing by her side. she closed her eyes
contentedly, and went to sleep.
But in the tent Of the other woman
no sleep came to close her eyes, and
as she sat and watched by the side OF
her boy, who had dropped off to sleep
overcome by the WEAKNESS and excite
ment Of the day, her mind ran back
over the years to the time when the
angel had spoken to her in the wilder
ness after she had fled from her mis-
tress. assuring her that the Lord
would multiply her seed. AS the years
had come and gone since then she had
quite forgotten the details of the
angels message, but tonight with the
yiyidness as though 1t were but yes
terday she recalled his words:
"He will be wild man; his hand
will be against every man, and every
mans hand against him; and he shall
dwell to the east of all his brethren"
At the time they had meant little to
her. but tonight, with the words Of
Sarah beating relentessly upon her
heartstrings, they came with new
light and meaning. AS the night
dragged out it's weary length, the con-
yiction grew upon her that she must
%. and as the first early streaks Of
dawn told of returning day she arose
and busted herself with her prepara-
lions. Then awakening her son and
bidding him RISE she said. with a
calmness and decision which surprised
even herself:
"Come, my son, let us be going"
"Going. mother? WheIe?'' STAN
mered the astonished boy, and then re-
calling the incidents Of the night be-
fore. he quickly added: "Oh, mother,
has Abraham told us to go?"
Footsteps sounded on the outside OF
the tent and before the mother could
reply the voice Of Abraham was heard
calling, tenderiy:
"Ishmael, my son! Ishmael!"
Hagar stepped to the tent door and
calmly faced the perturbed Abraham,
Who had not expected to find anyone
awake. and while he was struggling to
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