The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-04-18

'"D ~ ~
younger brother chung with his arms
about his mothers neck and sobbed
rs though his heart would break.
Because. my son, the creditor will
wait no longer for the money we owe
him, md the law of Israel gives him
the right to take thee to satisfy the
debt"
Then It's a bad law" cried the
younger boy, lifting his head from his
mothers shoulder and stopping his
Bobblng.
Hush. my son. you must not speak
thus, for It Is the law which Moses
by the command of God gave" was
the mothers gentle rebuke.
But doesn't God care because we
have to leave you? Doesn't He know
that It h cruel?" demanded the boy,
almost ~fiercely.
Yea, God knows all things" replied
the mother. quietly; "but we must not
blame the God whom thy father feared
and served"
But If God knows, will He not
help?" persisted the boy.
Yes" spoke up the other boy, Gag.
erly, did not our father bless US in
the name of his God as he lay dying,
and did he not say that God would
care for u.s."
Yes" whispered the mother.
And won't He?"
Yes" again whispered the mother.
She could not say no, for her boys
must not know that she doubted her
God, and yet doubt was in her heart
that God would or could help her in
the present extremity.
Long after the boys had fallen into
a troubled sleep she sat thinking
Her yes" kept ringing in her ears
and the consciousness that she had
not turned to God in her trouble rs
she should have done grew upon her
and made her feel guilty and unconl
Portable.
Il will seek the prophet Elisha" she
exclaimed at last. Perhaps he will
hear and be able to help in the name
of his God"
Rising in obedience to the thought
she went softly to the door, lest she
should wake the sleeping boys, and
opening it quietly, passed swiftly out
into the night.
The light was just breaking in the
east when she returned. The boys
were still sleeping, and she went and
stood over them. A new light of hope
and cheer shone in her face as she
looked down upon them and exclaimed
JOyfully, over and owe again:
Il shall not lose them! | shall not
lose them! l shall not lose them!"
But there was much she must do
The prophet had said to go and gather
all the empty vessels she could Dor
row, and she must obey. Hastily call
ing her sons she sen them forth in
one direction, while she went in an.
other.
Empty vessels, Who ever heard oi
such a requestoo" exclaimed the neigh
bors. Had the poor widow gone
crazy?"
But back and forth, back and forth
apparently unconscious of the wonder
ing looks of her neighbors, passed the
widow and her sons with the empty
vesSelS-pots and jars and basins and
all manner of CiSheS-until the bare
floor of the little cottage was quite
covered.
What a she be going to do?'
was the question being asked OF
every side, as the ~neighbors gathered
in little groups and talked of the
widow and her troubles. And as they
saw the creditor coming to take the
boys they shook their heads and said:
The great trouble which hath fallen
upon her hath driven her mad"
Il have come for the boys" bluntly
almost brutally, spoke the creditor, rs
ne followed the mother into the house
after one of her many trips. Where
are they?" he exclaimed, ~wrathfully
as a glance around the little bare room
told him that they were not there, and
then, as his eyes fell upon the motley
array of empty vessels scattered over
the floor, he laughed derisivelv, and
said:
Hast thou traded them for these?
lis DuI lily lOly, IOI CHSy USIOHS u
me-"
Nay but I would have one parting
word with my sons" the widow eX-
claimed, unabashed, and as at that mo-
the two boys anne laden with
other vessels the creditor felt reas-
sured and, with the condescending air
of one who is sure of his quarry, he
stepped without while the widow
and barred the door.
The moments dragged themselves
out until it seemed to the creditor
standing without that it had been
hours. Angrily pounding on the door
at last. when his patience would no
brook delay, he demanded that
the two boys come forth.
In response there came a glad cry
from within as the widow exclaimed:
They are all filed"
"All filled! What does it mean?"