St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-01-04


evidently had been so absorbed in con.
!, versation that they had not heard the
approach of the chariot.
! "By the GODS" exclaimed Adonijah
as his eyes fell on the two figures
standing trembling on one side of the
narrow street, IF it isn't Abiathar and
solomon" this last spoken with a
contemptuous sneer.
Without deigning a second look in
the latter's direction, he called out to
the other:
where now, friend Abiathar? was
but this minute on my way to thy
house. Come up and ride with me
| thither."
NAY, l cannot. l must give the
prince safe conduct home. But do thou
proceed and / will presently follow
and join thee" Saying which Abiathar
turned and again taking the arm OF
| Prince Solomon continued on his way
down the street toward the palace Of
the queen, Bathsheba, the mother Of
the boy.
"What meaneth this?" calculated
Adonijah with an oath. "Maketh Abba.
thar some league with Solomon"
| He was half tempted to turn back.
Suspicion and hatred and anger filled
his heart Not until that moment had
the thought of Solomon as a possible
stumbling block in the way of his
progress entered his mind. He did re-
member now that years before when
the young lad had gone in royal state
to Egypt to be trained in all the learn
ing of the Egyptians, he had heard an
intimation that David had said that he
| (Solomon) should rule after him, but
the years had come and gone since
then, and there had been no indication
! from the king that such was his pur-
pose. Solomon had now been back
no marked favors shown him, and GER
tain it was that as the enfeebling con-
ditions of old age had crept. in upon
David, and more and more had
loosened his grasp upon the affairs Of
the kingdom, there had been no word
spoken or move made in favor Of the
young prince. For this reason, Adoni-
jah had practically dismissed the mat
ter from his mind until he had so I'M
expectedy run upon the prince and
Abiathar that morning.
NO." he exclaimed, through his
clenched teeth, after he had hidden the
driver to continue on his way to the
| 81 f1vTn
back. ]. will see what Abiathar hath
to say concerning this matter"
Fortunately his anger had somewhat
cooled when Abiathar reached home,
and the accusation which was framing
itself upon his lips was not spoken,
but instead, he said, with some degree
of caEmness:
Thou didst not come to me SO
have come to thee"
YEA, and thou hast done WE'LL" re-
sponded Abiathar.
THAT depends on whether thou
speakest well or Ill of my cause. Thou
canst not remain silent much longer,
for but this morning I heard that the
king was failing rapidly"
at is true" sadly rejoined the high
priest Il have but just come from the
palace. The old king, our good King
David, did not know me. I fear the
stupor of death has come upon him, -
and Abiathar's voice choked up as he
spoke the words, for he loved David.
"And wentest Solomon with thee to
the king?" asked Adonijah, anxiously.
"He did" was the terse response.
"And made claims for the king
DOM"
NAY, nor was the king able to talk
concerning the promise which it is
claimed he gave years ago that Solo
mon should come to his throne"
Then what of my cause? Am / not
the heir to the throne?"
"Thou art"
Impulsively Adonijah stepped to the
side of the high priest, and as he en-
braced him, he exclaimed:
And thou wilt attend the feast at
Enrogel?"
Long live King Adonijah!" was the
response.