The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-07-28

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Esau turned his
head at the sound of the voice, but with.
out stopping he replied, bluntly:
Same old chase. Bound to get that
antelope to-day
I'D give it up, if l were you" ex-
claimed Jacob.
"sHumph! know YOU would, shout
ed back the hunter. IF father depend
ed on you he'd never know the taste OF
~venison."
Esau had a good-natured contempt
for his brother. He viewed him as a
sort of a weakling, and on occasion did
not hesitate to express himself on that
point, as in the present instance. But
although Jacob felt the thrust he VEN
tured no reply, but turning, entered the
tent, while Esau continued at a vigor-
out gait down the path.
1t was evident that Rebekah had over
heard the last remark of Esau, for as
she took the jar from Jacob she ejacu-
lated with much spirit, at the same time
casting a swift glance in the direction
Of Isaac, who sat on the farther side
of the tent:
"venison is not the only thing to be
desired"
Whats that, mother, he said, look
ing up.
Il say that Esau better stay at home
and help look after things instead of
trailing some frightened deer over the
m~ountainside. We need him more than
We need his yenison!"
Jacob did not lingar to hear what
reply his father would MAKE, but hur-
ried off to attend to one OF the lambs
which his watchful eye had discovered
that morning lying with one of its legs
injured, He was a careful husband
man, and had it not been for his faith
f~ulness, the easy-going, yenison-loving
Isaac would have been poorer by many
a lamb, and many a measure of grain.
And so while Esau roamed the fields
with wild, free spirit, Jacob busted
himself at home. He was a keen cal
culator. and careful manager, knowing
how to obtain the largest Increase, or
drive the sharpest bargain, and his
mothers nature and spirit were in per-
feet harmony with her thrifty son. But
Isaac loved Esau. He ate of his venison,
and'delighted in the stories Of the chase,
perhaps because his nature and train
ing under the gentle Sarah had shut
him out of that wild realm in which
his big, strong, agile son reyeled.
Now Isaac had long since learned
sharp tongue, and so on this occasion
he maintained a discreet silence, and
presently she continued her complaint.
Zone would think from Esau's shift
less, worthless habits that the only
worthy ambition in life was to hunt
v%enison, and the only thing worth do
ing after it was killed was to eat it,"
Isaac WINGED under the sharp thrust,
and feeling that some kind of a show at
defense must be made, he said:
who was it cleaned out that den
of lions after the tlocks had been raw
aged? Who was it that trailed the great
she bear that had killed one OF the cam
els, and fearlessly attacking her in her
lair, and fought her in hand-to-hand
conflict and slew her? Who was it who
set the traps which caught the foxes
that were causing u SO much trouble?
Surely Esau has served us well on NOR
than one occasion!"
"All that is true Rebekah admitted,
but ii the care and management of
the flocks and herds had been left to
Esau, there would have been none for
lions, or bears or other beasts to have
troubled"
''Oh, we'll, when the responsibility of
the inheritance as elder son comes upon
him he will change apologized the fa-
Their, ever ready to make excuses for
his favorite son.
yes, change!" shifted Rebekah,
skeptlcally. Hes been changing for
the worse ever since he was a boy.
Never could ba depended on"
And it was true, for as a mere lad he
had manifested the wild free nature, and
If set to tend the sheep he was more
than likely to become interested In set
ting some trap in the field and forget all
about his charge. Or If sent on an err
rand a saurrying rabbit or other small
animal vas sure to tempt him from the
pathway and that was the last of the
errand. And as he grew into young
manhood, he chaffed more and more
under restraint and the work and life
of the home, and for this reason he made
the distant fields, and Goods and moun
.ains his favorite retreat.
Such habits were a constant sourc
of irritation to the thrifty mother, and
she coaxed. and scolded, and even tried
to drive her recreant son to abandon
such an aimless life. But 1t was all to
purpose, and naturally her affection
and pride centered In the steady, pa
tient. %Diodding. provident Jacob. 4