The Tupelo journal., 1907-11-08

conscious OF them, and he felt that
his beauty and grace would never be
ittingly set forth until he was sur
rounded by regal honors and power.
Amnon seemed in his way of realiza-
ton OF this ambition, and long before
the wicked conduct OF Amnon had
brought him within his power he had
secretly plotted how he might com
pass his ruin without evil consequences
to himself.
Hence, as we have said, when Am.
o 80 wickediy wronged his sister,
he welcomed it as the long sought Op.
p%ortunity. but even In his passionate
eagerness to strike the blow he knew
that he must move cautiously, else he
would Illustrate his own ends. For
this reason he counseled his sister to
say nothing which would bring punish
ment upon the head of Amnon and
take him ont Of the reach of his pow
with him. and all Israel should know
that Absalom was as brave as he was
beautiful. and as fearless in righting
wrong as he was in defending the III
nocent.
So the time slipped by until, as we
have said. almost two years had
passed. That had been an exception
ally good year with Absalom. His
fields and his fiocks had yielded splen-
did increase, and there seemed moth
ing for him to desire.
Others had forgotten his enmity to-
wards Amnon, in fact even the latter
had in the brutishness of his own
black heart ceased to think about it,
for pleasures of the present always
shut out the memory of past misdeeds.
But, Notwithstanding the prosperity
which had come to him, Absalom was
not satisfied. The ranking hatred in
his heart gave him no peace day or
night. The Il thing he desired above
all else was to destroy his brother
Amnon. He deserved to die. he ar
gued with himself, and his death
would place him in direct succession
to the throne.
One day, as the time for shearing
the sheep drew near, as he was out
inspecting the fiocks and planning for
the harvest of wool, the thought
dashed across his mind:
why not make the feasting time
and the time of gladness which always
marked the strengthening season the
occasion of shifting Amnon? The
very thing!' he exclaimed aloud. "All
the royal family knows what a pros
porous year this has been with me
and they will all find delight in re-
joicing with me In the good fortune
which has come to me. l will invite
even the king himself"
But what If Amnon will not Gomez"
asked a voice from within. to which
Absalom responded. grimly:
Yea, but where the wine and the
feasting are to be found there you may
be sure Amnon will come. He will not
withhold himself from the company of
the kings sons"
And so Absalom came to King David
his father and said:
Behold now, thy servant hath
sheep-shearers; let the king, | beseech
thee, and his servants go with thy
servants"
NAY, my son." replied the king,
"let US not all now go, lest the burden
OF our entertainment rest too heavily
upon thee"
And Absalom pressed the king to go,
but he would not; however he spoke
his blessing upon Absalom.
IF thou wilt not 60, then let him
who is thy heir go that he may repre-
sent thee, for this shall be a right
royal feast, for see how the Lord
hath p%rospered me-"
And he pressed the king that he
should let Amnon and all the kings
sons go with him, and he finally con-
scented.
And when Absalom had prepared for
the feast and every servant was in his
place he spoke secretly with those
whom he could trust, saying:
Mark ye now when Amnon's heart
is merry with wine, and when l say
unto you. smite Amnon: then kill him,
fear not; have not I commanded you?
Be courageous, and be valiant"
And the servants Of Absalom did
unto Amnon as Absalom had COM
manded, and Absalom fed and went to
Talmai, king Of Geshur. his grand
father. who commended him for the
success of his wicked plot and assured
him of his SuDDOrt when he sbonld