The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-07-14

nlm from the tent door.
may, my son, there is comfort here
in the loneliness, for the place which
was graced by thy mothers presence
and which is sacred with sweet mem
cries of her gentle ministry, holds me
irresistab1y," and, returning his sons
| loving embrace, Abraham turned and
| entered the silent, desolate tent, while
| Isaac slowly continued IN down tie
pathway to the grove at some distance
away.
Father and son had just returned
from their morning visit to the tomb Of
Sarah, where they went twice daily to
| weep and mourn. They had fingered at
| Hebron, being loath to leave the spot
| where they had laid their precious dead.
But a few weeks before, while still dwell
ing in Beersheba, a longing had filled the
heart of the aged mother to revisit He
bron, sacred with so many blessed men,
cries, and especially that Of the visit Of
the angels who had announced to her
the birth of Isaac. and they had come
thither. And here, after a few brief
days in which she enjoyed the old ia
miliar scenes, she had passed away, and
father and son were left disconsolate in
their great grief. Eliezer's watch
full eye noted the bowed head and
mournful countenance, and he asked
himself, as he shook his head:
rFTJnu, Ionn 10 tbfr IN .pnnff,,.ao u ;,
not well for the young man to thus nour-
lsh his grief. 1t were time that his heart
was being comforted." And acting
upon the thought be started toward the
tent where Abraham sat.
MY master" at last he said. MY
master, hast thou forgotten the living
In thy great grief for the dead? Isaac
wanders alone and his heart is discon-
solate. Ought we not to seek a wifSfor
the young MANI"
Come you with an offer of marriage
from the father of some fair damsel? Or
has the young man himself some maiden
on whom he has set his hearth" he ques-
toned, anxiously.
Neither, my master; but | have not
ed the sad countenance of thy son Isaac,
and feel that he should not too long
rest under the shadow and loneliness
Of the present bereavement"
Thou art doubtless right" respond
ed the other, slowly and half reluctant
ly, and shaking his head as though
emphasize the conviction which was
taking root within his heart.
There are a great many shieks in this
who have fair daughters and
who would welcome an alliance with
rich and great Abraham, for there
IS none who is so well known and so
esteemed as thyself.
And recall nov that before thy de-
from Gerar the king on one of
his visits to thy tent engaged the young
nan Isaac In conversation, being evil
iefitly most favorably impressed with
lin, and urged him to pay a visit to the
'oyal household. And then turning to
he spoke significantly of the fair
daughters there. But she was evident.
y d~ispleased with the advances, and
urned the conversation into other chan
lels, and nothing more was said upon
subject during his stay as your
The sound Of voices interrupted fur
her conversation, and presently Isaac
-ppeared in the tent door.
My father, a messenger from Abim-
lech, the king of Gerar, has come" he
.nnounced.
Both master and servant started and
strangely moved. Was there
providence in the singular coinci-
ence? was the thought which flashed Z
Trough the minds of both. The young 1
ian looked inquiringly at his father T
nd then at Eliezer, wondering what I
here could be In the arrival of the mes. 5
enger which could move them SO per +
But he had no time to ask :
nestions for Abraham quickly re- r
overed himself and asked Eliezer to
after the comfort of the messenger a
his attendants, and after he was !
'sted from thf journey to conduct him t
} his presence. The old servant hur. |,
ed away, and father and ION were left
lone. !.
My son, thy welfare is dearer to me r
mine OWL life, and In mine own d
eep grief fear | have forgotten the n
'%neliness of thy young life. / have
luch to say to thee, but not now. Canst .
waltz" n
In an instant Isaac was at his fathers
de. and, placing an arm about his e.