St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-05-02

ny the command Of God gave" was
ne Inother's gentle rebuke.
But doesn't God care because we
nave to leave you? Doesn't He know
tnat 1t is cruel?" demanded the boy,
almost ferceIy.
yea, God knows all things replied
the mother, quietly; "but we must not
Plame the God whom thy father feared
and served"
But If God knows, will He not
neip" persisted the boy.
Yes" spoke up the other boy. Gag
cry, 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 us?"
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
troubled sleep she sat thinking.
her yes" kept ringing in her ears,
ana the consciousness that she had
not turned to God in her trouble AS
she should have done grew upon her
ana made her feel guilty and uncom.
| Portable.
I will seek the prophet Elisha" she
exclaimed at last. Perhaps he will
hear and be able to help in the name
of his Cod"
Rlsing 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
1oyfully, over and over again:
shall not lose them! I shall not
lose them! 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 bor-
row, and she must obey. Hastily call
ing her sons she sent them forth in
one direction, while she went in an.
other.
Empty vessels! Who ever heard Of
such request?" 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
yessels-pots and jars and basins and
all manner of dishes-until the bara
floor of the little cottage was quite
covered.
What can she be going to do?"
was the question being asked on
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 brutality, spoke the creditor, rs
ne followed the mother into the house
after one of her many trips. Where
are they?" he exclaimed, wrathfully,
as 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?
IT'S but thy folly, for they belong to
me-"
NAY but would have one parting
word with my sons" the widow ex-
claimed, unabashed, and as at that mo.
ment the two boys came 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
closed 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
longer 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 flled!"
"All filled! What does 1t mean?"
exclaimed the creditor Not the
empty vessels! Filled with what?"
But at that moment the door was
flung open and there within was re-
vealed to the astonished gaze of the
creditor and those gathered about, the
vessels filled with the fragrant oil.
"Now 1 will pay thee," cried the
widow, joyfully, and my sons shall go
free"
Costly Bridal Gifts Nor RanpA9