Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1907-07-25

Z tie. hut as the young man ran Tor
ward he picked a stone from his bal
and with marvellous swiftness and
skin he sent II crashing into the TEN
pie OF Goliath. finding the only open.
ing there was between the joints OF
the heavy iron helmet With an aw
full groan. audible even at the poin,
where stood In the ranks of OUT
army. the giant pitched headlong and
struck the ground with such force
that the earth fairly trembled. while
his armor made an awful din. and his
sword and spear fell Gathering from
his now limp and powerless hands"
But surely the stone did not kill
him. He was only stunned by the
blow" calculated Jonathan.
True. no doubt" responded the
armor bearer. with the self.possessed
reinsurance of one who still has the
best part of his story to tell. but our
young champion was not slow to fol
low up his advantage. With the quick
ness of mountain lion he sprang for
ward, seized the great sword of the
giant In both hands and with sturdy
blows he sent its keen blade down
deep between the joints OF the
helmet and the shoulder plates. and
was soon holding the grim. CHASTITY
head of the giant up in full view of
| both armies. Speeches. the, soldiers
stood scarcely able to realize that IL
was all real But as the true situation
dawned upon them a mighty shout OF
eSultant triumph broke forth from the
army OF Israel and Selling their
weapons they rushed down the hill
into the valley and up towards the
Philistines who stood on the side OF
. The hill opposite. And when the Phil.
istines saw their champion was dead
aud that the army of Israel was upon
then they turned and fed in the mad
frenzy of fear and calling on their
gods to save them"
jonathan was silent when the story
was finished. and as he FASTENED for.
ward his mind was busy with the de-
tails Of the wonderful story and he
formed the resolve that he would
know the young man who had
wrought such deliverance for Israel
All that day and night the pursui,
OF the Philistines continued. and
tired and footsore. but with elated
spirits the soldiers of Israel returned
the next day. Jonathan stopped only
long enough TO refresh himself with
a bath and to remove his soiled and
torn garments before seeking the
presence of his father, for he had
made up his mind that he would ask
of him the favor of the presence al
court OF the young hero who had
killed the giant. He found an an.
usual cOmmotion about the courtwav
OF the palace and learned from one of
the attendants that Abner the cap
tain Of all the hosts of Israel had Just
that moment arrived bringing David
with him. Quickly Jonathan passed
within and stood at the rear of the
great audience room. quite spell.
bound by the sight before him. There
was the youth. stalwart of frame and
rudy and fair of countenance, clear
of eve. and with dignity of bearing
which made him a striking figure
even in the midst of that court,v
company. In his hand he was carry
ing the CHASTITY trophy of his heroism.
Jonathan listened with growing ad.
miration to his modest answers as he
talked with his father. and when the
LATER had dismissed him Jonathan
quickly sent his faithful armor bearer
to fetch him to his apartments.
And as they talked together the soul
of Jonathan was knit with the soul Of
David, and he loved him as his own
soul. Never before had he found one
who could sympathize with him in his
deeper moods or appreciate his as
I.irations after higher things, but as
Davit unfold-ed his heart to him and
told him of Gods love and care and
OF the visit of Samuel to his fathers
house and his anointin. him for some
special service he knew that he had
found one at last who could share
with him in all the hopes and strug-
giles after better things"
And thou hast been anointed of
God for purpose" he exclaimed
after a long silence in which both had
been searching deep for an under.
standing OF the new experience int.
which they both were entering. And
tnou shalt have my place in the king
ION. he added. impulsively, at che
same time stripping himself of his
robe and putting it upon David. land
my sword shall be tbS sword and nv
bow thy bow. and We shall be friends
forever as God wills"
And together there that day they
made a covenant with each other
which never failed. evea during the
mos bitter and trying days that were
to follow.