St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-01-11

and was soon upon the lips OF every
body, and ere long the streets were
thronged with people who, with an air
of expectation, waited the coming of
something they knew not what.
Bodies of soldiers were moving to
and fro and forming into companies
and divisions. About the palace of
the king the excitement and commo-
ton centralized, and when the people
saw the kings magnificent white
mule, richly caparisoned, brought
forth, what shout went up.
1t had been a long time since the
splendid creature had been seen
abroad in the streets, for none but
the king might ride upon him, and
now the query went forth from mouth
to mouth:
is the king to ride to-day?"
"Yea, the king is to ride today" ex-
claimed Nathan to himself, as he over.
heard the question while hurrying on
towards the home of Bathsheba.
At the door he met the returning
servants who had been searching for
the young man.
Solomon cannot be found?" ex.
claimed Nathan, repeating the words
of the servants. Have you searched
everywhere"
Everywhere"
"Have you been to the Temple?"
1--WE have not been there, but we
think some of the other servants went
thither."
But Nathan was OF in the direction
Of the place without hearing the last
sentence. He knew better than any
one else the delight which the young
man took in visiting the place and sit
ting in meditation there. Ever since
his return from Egypt he had often
sought the quiet and seclusion of the
Temple. In Egypt the great temples
were the centers of learning, and
why should not the Temple of the
God Of Israel be the place where one
should learn wisdom and see and I'M
derstand with clear mind? Reasoning
thus the desire to go thither had grown
upon him, and it was therefore towards
the Tabernacle that Nathan hurried.
my son. he exclaimed, when he
had found him; "Knowest thou not that
the heart Of all the people Is turning
to thee, and that the king has given
commandment that thou shalt be
anointed king at Gihon this day and
that thou shalt sit with him upon his
throne?"
ut is as God DESIRES" replied the
young man, rising, and calmly replac-
ing his mantle about his sturdy young
form.
Nathan looked at him wonderingly.
But art thou not surprised?"
NAY, rather am l certa-l that that
which God hath spoken is about to
come to pass"
'Then let us hasten" exclaimed Ma
than, pressing his arm about the
form of the young man and gently
fastening his footsteps For l fear
even now the kings mule awaits thee
at thy door,"
What gives the young man such
self-control, such poise?' Nathan
asked himself over and over again
during that short walk back to the
palace of Bathsheba And he
watched with wondering eyes as Sol
ONION quietly donned his robes, grave
ly received the loving salutation Of
his mother, and then went forth with
true kingly dignity and grace to Gihon,
the place appointed BY the king for
the coronation.
who had thought that Solomon
was a youth of such rare grace and
beauty?" exclaimed the people as
they followed the royal procession.
"God save King Solomon" The
words of the high priest Zadok sounded
out clear and distinct, the trumpet
blew and the people took up the shout
of God save. King Solomon"