The Tupelo journal., 1905-07-28

Same old chase. Bound to get tha'
antelope to-day"
I'D give it up, if were you," ex-
claimed Jacob.
"Humph! 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
fer his brother. He viewed him as a
sort of a weakling, and or occasion did
not hesitate to express himself on thai
point, as in the present instance. But
although Jacob felt the thrust he zen
tured nc reply, but turning, entered the
tent. while Esau continued at a vigor-
Gus gait down the path. He was OF
heroic build, and his rugged life in the
open fields and among the mountains
had developed every muscle and tough
ened him to endure the severest hard
ships of the chase. His every move
ment betokened strength and agility,
and the keen pair of eyes which looked
out from under the bushy eyebrows,
and the firm lines about the mouth
and the square-set jaw which even the
heavy beard and mustache failed to
conceal. declared him to be a man with
out physical fear. His culver and bow
were slung over his shoulder, and al
the belt which gathered in the folds OF
his loose skin garment could be seen
the hilt of his hunting knife. His arms
and lower limbs we're bare save for
the heavy covering OF hair, which gave
them almost the appearance of being
clothed with the fur of some animal.
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
mountainside. We need him more than
we need his venison!"
Jacob did not linger 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
fulness, the easy-going, venison-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.
Need we wonder then that this con
dition caused in a measure a divided
household, and a division of interests,
with clashing plans and ambitions?
And is it not always SO where mother
and father center affections and hopes
in the favorite sons or daughters of the
household, one in one child and the
other in the other?
Now Isaac had long since learned
that he was 10 match for Rebekah's
sharp tongue, and 50 on this occasion
ne maintained a discreet silence, and
presently she continued her complaint.
would think from Esau's shift
less, worthless habits that the only
worthy ambition in life was to hunt
venison, and the only shiLg worth do
ing after it vas killed was to eat it."
Isaac WINGED under the sharp thrust.
and feeling that some kind CT q show at
defense must be made. he said:
Who was it cleaned out that Gen
Of lions after the focks had been rav-
aged? Who was it that trailed the great
she bear that had killed II 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 US SO much trouble?
Esau has served US well on more
than one oc~casion!"
"All that is true" Rebekah admitted,
"but If the car and management of
the focks and herds had been left to
Esau, there would have been none for
lions, or bears or other beasts to have
troubled"
ooh, well, when the responsibility of
the inheritance as elder son upon
him he will change" apologized the IA
Their, eve ready to make excuses for
his .fayorite son.
yes, change!" shifted Rebekah,
s~keptically. He's been changing for
the worse ever since he was a boy.
Never could be depended on"
And it was true, for as a mere lad he
had manifested the wild free nature, and
II set to tend the sheep he was more
han likely to become interested in set
ting some trap ii the field and forget all
about his charge. Or If sent on an err
and a s~kurrying rabbit or other small
animal was sure to tempt him from the
pathway and that was the last Of the
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