St. Tammany farmer., 1905-07-08

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had not been the same.
'sIt were better that he be not pres
ent at the feast tomorrow, lest the
celebration in Isaac's honor cause the
fires of jealousy to burn within his
heart" Sarah continued. He hath
no part with thine heir Let him go
with the sheep herder who leaves
with the hocks for the distant pastur.
age to-day"
Abraham shook his head slowly,
while his countenance bore troubled
look.
"It seemeth hard to deny the boy
| the pleasures Of the morrow. I fear
thou art needlessly anxious. Should
not Ishmael, my son, share in our joys
and pleasures, and our plans?''
NAY" quickly responded Sarah.
''but dost thou not remember that the
| son of the bondwoman can have no
part with the son of promise? Hast
thou forgotten how the Lord hath
spoken, saying that He would make
| His covenant with Isaac, and not Ish.
| mael?"
The force of Sarah's words evident.
ly impressed Abraham deeply, for as
he turned to go, he said in quiet, sad
tone of voice:
II will arrange it according to thy
wish"
Late that afternoon Ishmael
trudgea along behind the focks, bitter
resentment filing his heart.
''They are sending me of to get rid
Of me for the feast tomorrow" he
muttered. "It is not fair! Mother
says I have as good right to be there
as Isaac, for am rot Abraham's SON."
Such was the burden of Ishmaeps
thoughts, and the longer he pondered
the situation, and the farther he jour.
neyed from home, the more positive
became the conviction that grievous
injustice was being done him. Sud-
denly he stopped, as a thought flashed
into his mind, and he exclaimed:
''I'll do it! I'll do it,"
That night when darkness had fal.
len and the herder was rounding up
some Of the scattering sheep, 1shmael
slipped away and started back
towards heme. The next morning he
fingered on the outskirts OF the tented
area. for he dared not make his pres.
ence known. AS he lay hidden in the
bushes near enough to see and hear, he
watched the guests arrive, and lis
tened to the busy hum Of voices as the
visiting and merry-making went on.
He saw the gifts as they were borne to
sarah's tent to be presented to little
Isaac, and later he saw the latter in his
gorgeous robes, such as the heir is ac~
customed to wear on such occasions. be-
ing borne aloft, while the assembled
guests bowed before him and then with
loud acclaim proclaimed him Abrahars 8
heir and wished him long life and pros
perity and power. Then came the
feasting, and Ishmael, who had eaten
nothing since the night before, founG
his hunger overcoming his fears, and
leaving his hiding place he crept in to
where some of the servants were feast
ing and making merry. Gladly they
made place for him, for the boy was a
general favorite with them, and while
they cast knowing glances at each other,
they piled him with questions as to
where he had been and why he was not
sharing in the festivities.
With sneer in the direction of Isaac,
and shrug of the shoulders, Ishmael
snarled:
"Why should all be given to Isaac?
Am not Abraham's son?'
"The boy is right" chuckled one dark
visaged fellow, BY way of encourage
ment, and then noting the responsive
mods on every side, and the Frightening
of Ishmael's countenance, he continued:
Here's to Ishmael, Abraham's heir"
The spirit of reckless fun then seized
the rest of the group. One fellow threw
over Ishmaels shoulders in lieu of the
robes of the heir one Of the brilliant rugs
lying on the ground, and all bowed be-
fore him in mock solemn1ty. The COM
motion drew the attention of the rest
of the company, and Sarah beholding,
took in the situation at glance, while
the guests thinking it only some merry
frolic of the servants turned again to
their feasting and chatter.
But not so Sarah, and after the guests
had all departed and she and Abraham
were alone. her pent-up feelings burst
forth:
Cast out this bondwoman and her
son." she fiercely and abruptly ex.
claimed. For the son of this bondwom-
an shall not be heir with my son, even
with Isaac!"
In bewildered surprise and sorrow,
Abraham by questioning learned Of the
incidents of the afternoon, but the
harsh measures which his wife proposed
seemed very grievous unto him, for he
loved Ishmael, but natural affection
often brings one at cross purposes with
faith and the plans of God.
Abraham bowed his head in grief and
srake not.
Cast out this bondwoman and her
son." again, demanded Sarah, .for he
shall not be heir with my son, even with
Isaac!'
= And Abraham, the father of Ishmael
the son OF the bondwoman, and the IA
ther Of Isaac, the son Of promise. strode
out into the night in silence. to fight
out the issue alone with God.
T = =