Times-promoter., 1907-11-01

1 ~|'NA~ ~ c46hL uoalCAn
during the past few months, but the
people never tired OF watching the
gorgeous procession as it passed-the
company of fifty fleet runners leading
the way, the gayly caparlsoned horses
and the glistening bronze and gold
chariots, with their broad-shouldered,
brawny-armed drivers. and their splen.
didly accoutered warriors. All fur
nished a pleasing and animated picture,
the center of which was the handsome
youth who rode with such dignity and
royal grace In the largest and most
splendid Of the chariots. AS he passed,
the people fairly held their breath, so
enrapt were they with the rare beauty
of the face and form. Never before
had they seen 80 regal presence,
such a wealth of hair, such flashing
eyes, such ruddy glow upon the full
rounded cheeks, such graceful poise.
Many were the whispered words of
commendation, and approving mods,
and the people were pleased to think
OF the day when Prince Absalom
should succeed his father, David, on
the throne Of Israel
He is like one of the gods come to
EARTH" whispered one into the ear of
the man standing next him.
| "Yes," was the response, "and the
gods be up early this morning. What
! bringeth Absalom abroad while yet
the sun is scarcely above the top of
yonder citys wall?"
ut is early. Perhaps he is bent
upon discharging some of the kings
business. Let us follow"
And they fell in behind the process.
] sion which wound Its way through the
streets and at last brought up at the
chief gate of the city, which, with the
rising of the sun, had been thrown
open for the. incoming stream of trav-
| elers.
AS we have said, the royal turnout
of Prince Absalom had become a IA
miliar sight to the people of Jerusa.
lem. but this was the first morning
that the shouting of the heralds, the
notes of the buglers, the clatter and
tramp of the prancing horses and the
rumble of the chariots had been heard
so early in the day, and many were
the conjectures as to the reason for
| it.
Absalom noted the expressions Of
surprise which mingled with the looks
of admiration and approval on the
faces of the people as he passed, and,
turning with significant smile to his
attendant and confidant who rode with
him in the chariot, he whispered:
"They will soon become used to this
early morning appearance. Yea, all
Israel shall know that Absalom sitteth
at the gate Of the city and thinketh
upon the welfare of the nation"
| Thou hast the wisdom as we'll as
the beauty of the gods" fatteringly
responded the other.
| And Absalom hath right royal ad.
wiser in thee" said the prince. patron
4 iZingly. 'Was it not thee who first
got an inkling of the scheming OF
Bathsheba to place her son Solomon
on the throne? And was it not thee
who limited that the place for the
prince and heir was in the gate of the
city of the king, whittier those from
every tribe in the nation come on
matters of business?"
i That was the beginning of busy days
with Prince Absalom. No one loved
ease and pleasure more than he, but
when it came to personal ambition and
the qualification of his pride no hour
was too early for him and no-task too
hard for him to undertake. When the
first intimation had come to him that
plans were being laid whereby the
kingdom should go to Solomon, the
youngest son of David, rather than to
him, the eldest living son and rightful
heir, he was filled with the bitterest
of anger and was for plotting the
death of the young prince, but his
close contidant, seeing at once the fol.
ly and peril of such course, had per-
suaded him to abandon the thought
and had showed him that If he was to
save the kingdom for himself he must
do it by subtlety. He must turn the
hearts and thoughts Of the people to
himself, and then strike the blow that
would place the throne within his
] grasp. And SO 1t came to pass that