Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1906-06-07

been given up some weeks ago In or
der that they might obtain the pro-
visions they needed.
The neighbors about them had been
kind to them. but every n found 1:
hard work getting along. and there
was little that could be spared them
But the Pascal lamb would be large
enough for them. and the good vom-
an. as she hurried along. quite forge;
her own sorrow and anxiety in the
JOY u planning for the shelter of
those who would not be provided for
except as she gave Of her own store.
There are the four children and IA
Their and me. and there are four Of
them. - that there will be the ten
which Moses has declared was the
proper number 10 rartake Of the Pas
cal meal. she unused 10 herself. as sh.
hurried onward. But what OF Abb
dan" she suddenly exclaimed. stop
ping short and half turning around.
Where will he come in"
She had not thought Of IL before.
In her eagerness . help she had not
considered that there would BE- II
with her son Abidan. What would be
done with him when he should return
Could she shut him outs she trem-
bled az the thought. and her good pur-
poses began 70 vaver. But what
would happen 10 her needy neishbors
II she failed { Civ them shelter, II
a sharp. hard struggle which she
fought out there under the stars on
that last night before the lamb was
10 be slain. Time and again she start
ed 20 retrace her steps. and as often
turned about and went forward, and
each time found her farther upon her
way toward her ~neighbor's.
I u go forward" she cried AZ
last as she drove back the tears and
stified the rising prompungs Of selfish
ness. Here Is a need that mus. be
met. and God will provide the way.
perhaps-perhaps Abidan won't
come back" and at the thought a
pang Of sorrow seized her heart. 70
place an instant later To the BET
ter thought. that God would provide
for him elsewhere. IL he did not.
As she neared the threshold OF the
house. the sound OF voices came
the open doorway. and she
paused 20 listen. Father and mother
were in conversation while their TWO
little mes slept. and it was for them
they were planning.
"Oh. why Is IL that our lamb should
been TAKEN walled the mother.
Has God forgotten us Shall we be
shut out Of the shelter and deliverance
OF Israel because OF our lack?~
No. responded the father. encour-
agingly. Moses has said that the fam
lily too little for a lamb. or unprovided
with a lamb. shall Be sheltered with a
more fortunate"
But whittier shall We turn for such
shelter? None have hidden us"
The father paused. unable TO make
and the mother continued:
Perhaps We will be able to find
place for u boy and girl. and
matters not so much about our-
and she stiaed a sob as il rose
to her lips.
The rustic Of garments in the door
way caused her to turn. and there
stood her neighbor. who said. cheer
lily:
Thou and thy children shall a the
Passover with US. Then shall come
tomorrow ar eventide when the lamb
is Il be slain
And having thus spoken the woman
gone.
The twilight is deepening. and the
householters throughout Goshen have
soiemnly and silently slain the little
lambs that had been kept by them
tays a mute reminder Of the de-
liverance which God had promised to
give them The blood has been caugh,
the hasons and the punches Of hvs-
sop have been dipped therein ana the
lintels and side pests OF the houses
marked with the blood. All have gone
within but one. The mother fingers
about the doorway m looks yearn-
ingly down the roadway.
oh. will he not come. ny Abidan.
NY SON. she cried.
And for answer the father came and
but firmly pushed her in the
doorway and shut TO the door.
With a sob she sank to the floor.
But what was that? Hurried foot
sound without. With a glad e-v
the mother springs To her feet and in
a thrice has thrown wide the door. and
drawn across the threshold her boy.
Eleven in the household. Yes. but
something within tells her that Gods
lamb is sufficient for all. and she lifts
her heart to him in thanksgiving. in
which all join