The Holmes County times., 1906-04-20

wards the low entrance to the Fuue hu''
The door was flung open before Nc
reached it, and a voice called out:
''You are late, Moses! What success!
"Poor. Aaron, poor!" Moses replleu'
dejectedly, entering and throwing hini-
self on the rough bench by the door.
"'Elishama will not come, and others oA
the elders whom have seen are only
half-hearted in their responses. but
how was it with you?"
'Iittle better, fear, than with you'
was the dubious reply. Meme Whom
have seen have refused to come, put
there is much depression of spirits. Ihe
oppression has been so long and pltter
that the people have quite given up
hope. But what of Elisbama? Gave
he you no encouragement z"
''None, whatever. He declares that
hope. died within him YEARS ago Wheh
his son, Nun, was killed and his grand
son, Joshua, was taken from him. the
subject was so evidently painful to him
that forebore questioning G him concern
ang the matter Know you the details?
"That do, and sad they are, indeed,
Aaron replied. Let us see" he con-
Sinued, thoughtfully, sit is nearly 20
years ago that Nun was bIutally slain oy
the Egyptian. You remember NUM-"
Moses nodded, and Aaron went on,
slowly.
''He was deeply interested in your
discoveries at Joseph's tomb, and after
your flight was jealous IN teaching the
oeople of his tribe of God and Gods
promises to His people. Thus the years
went by, and in spite of the bitter OPP
preston he continued to hope. In some
way it reached the ears Of one OF the
Egyptian overseers that he was encour-
aging the people to look for deliverance
from bondage, and seeking him out the
Egyptian demanded that he cease to so
teach the people. This he refused to do,
and so bravely withstood the Egyptian
that the latter flew into towering rage
and slew him on the spot. This proved
a severe shock to his father, Elishama,
and embittered his heart against God.
and when a year later his grandson,
Joshua, noble youth of some 20 years,
was seized and carried off by an Egyp-
tian official living far to the south who
had been attracted by the manly bear
ing of the boy and coveted him as
servant in his household, he was incon-
so1able. No word has ever been heard
of the boy since, and as the years have
come and gone Elishama has grown
more morose and taciturn. And am not
surprised that you did not prevail upon
him to meet with the elders tonight.
But had hoped that he would YIELD for
as head of the tribe of Ephraim we shall
ueed his help"
"The outlook is not bright, but We
will have to do the best we can and leave
the rest with God" Moses remarked,
breaking the silence which followed
Aaron's story. II had not expected to
find the people so dispirited Why Is
tt?"
SI have been surprised and puzzled by
the conditions, for had expected that
with your return the people would be
allied with enthusiasm, but last night
think | learned the reason" Aaron re-
piled. ut seems that after my de-
parture for you the impression got
abroad among the people that during
your long absence you had obtained the
heIp of some strong ally and were to
return and by mighty hand wrest de-
Iiverance from Egypt. And when You
came with your staff and simple shep-
herds dress Of the east, the people lost
heart, saying: How can deliverance
ever come with such leader?'"
An anxious, troubled look crossed
Moses face, but 1t soon gave place to one
of hope and cheer, as he said:
"But when they see the signs, they
will believe. God is mightier than all
the armies of the east"
what signs?" asked Elisheba,
Aaron's wife, who had been listening at
tentively to the conversation of the two
men.
''The signs which God gave to fne in
the mount" Moses replied.
Surely, the people will believe" ex-
claimed Elisheba, after she had heard
the story, but many times during the
day her heart misgave her as she
thought of Elishama, What If others OF
the leaders refused to come as did he I?
And she racked her brain to try and
think of some way in which she might
overcome Elishama's obduracy. She
knew that further argument was use.
less, for Moses had pleaded with him
and Aaron in the afternoon had visited
aim In last effort to win him over
what could she do? AS the afternoon
waned and the evening shadows began
60 gather, she became more agitatet
over the matter, and the conviction grew
ui,on her that she must somehow gel
RTishama to the meeting that night
A knock at the door interrupted hel
Neoubled thought and she opened 1t tC
aBnd an Egyptian standing there. Sh'
mMs startled and frightened. and hei
8&a Hssf