Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-12-15

Beneath the starlight he saw the
recumbent form lying still aid de-
fenseless, and with a last wriggle and
leap he landed fairly upon it, the fin
gers of one hand fastened in the
throat and his blade held high. And
Ben Hadad, awaking from his slum-
Der, saw death kneeling upon his
breast, and realizing his helplessness
he writhed a little as he strove to
draw his throttled breath. Ben Jo-
seph having the other completely at
his mercy loosened his clutch so that
the gripped one could breathe trife,
for he wished to torment him for a
period before he let the blow fall.
81 have come to kill you. Ben Ha-
dad" he said coldly. The man be-
meath him shook like wind-thrum-
med reed.
"Why should you wish to kill me?
l have never done you wrong and you
once whipped me-" he pleaded. His
captor laughed sharply.
"You lie, and for lying I shall let
you feel the tooth of my knife before
you feel it's full bite" he returned as
he pricked his captive until the latter
squirmed again. "And now," he went
on, you shall die as my sheep died
and be of less value afterwards than
they were. For at least their skins
are worth something and their flesh
was wholesome, while you dead will
be even more worthless than living"
Ben Hadad's eyes grew wild and his
face pale at the threat as he made a
final appeal.
"At least you will let me pray to the
stars before l die" he pleaded, and
Ben Joseph smiled grimly and said
that he might spend one minute in
that useless way. And as Ben Hadad,
beginning to mutter his last words,
turned his despairing gaze towards
the eastern heavens, the one who sat
upon his breast and watched him
closely in his hate, suddenly saw the
eyes below him grow great with won
der while the distorted face smoothed
and became soft as a child's. Greatly
amazed at the wonderful transforma-
other had done, and as he did so he
gave a great gasp, his fingers loos-
ened and he sat staring up into the
night For far to the eastward there
shone a new star in the armament,
such a star as the world had never be-
fore seen; lustrous, pure white, shin
ing with a soft brilliancy beyond COM
pare; the star of Bethlehem in all its
glory as it hung over the manger of
the new born Christ, the redeemer of
the soul of man.
And as he gazed transfixed by this
miracle a wonderful and subtitle
change came over the hard heart of
Ben Joseph. From out of it his wrath
fed like scourged evil thing; the
Goals of hate that had burned therein
turned to ashes and into their place
stole goftness such as he had never
felt before. He shuddered, threw his
knife into the night and getting upon
his feet held out his hand. "Arise,
Ben Hadad. leave you in peace" he
said gently.
Full of wonderment the released one
arose and together the two stood star
ing at the glowing marvel, all fear and
hate vanished. Then Ben Hadad
spoke:
81 murdered your sheep because I
hated you, and in return you spared
my life. Why did you do SOP" Ben
Joseph shook his head as much puz-
zled as was the other.
THAT 1 do not know. / only know
that hate you no longer. I even seem
to care for you" Ben Hadad laid his
hand upon the others shoulder.
"Also my heart has grown soft. You
shall take three of my best sheep in
the place of the slain ones and we
will be friends from this night on"
His companion nodded.
1--WE will be as brothers throughout
our lives. l will come for the sheep
another day. bringing you present.
Until then peace be with you" Into
the darkness he passed, his eyes still
fastened upon the eastern miracle,
song of happiness arising from his
heart. For though Ben Joseph knew
it not, the son of God had come to
earth and already try influence Of his
gentle spirit was waiting like the
night breeze throughout the land,
soothing the breast of man as the
night breeze soothed his cheeks. For
such was the coming and spread of
the holy spirit of the Master; the
spirit Of peace on earth and good will