Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-06-24

the arm which held the something
before the eyes OF the assembled
group.
a cry, almost n shrek. broke from
Aohier's lips, as he cried:
I'VE gods of the Assyrians, II IL the
head Of Holofernes." and trembling
like an aspen he fell upon his face
to the ground.
Here was the head OF the man he
had feared above all others, the
mighty Assyrian general. whom he
had expected had come to demand
his life. A mighty revulsion Of feel.
ing swept over him.
How can II be?" he exclaimed, at
last.
And when Judith had been sum-
moned and she had related in his
ear all that God had wrought through
her he fell at her feet and reverenesd
her. saying:
Blessed art thou in all the taber.
nacle Of Judah, and in all nations.
which hearing thy name shall be
astonished."
And as soon as the morning arose
they hanged the head Of Holofernes
upon the wall. and every man took
his weapons and they went forth by
bands unto the passes Of the noun
tain which lead into the valley below
towards the camp OF the Assyrians.
But when the Assyrians saw them
they raised a great shout. and sent
to their leaders. which In turn came
TO their captains and tribunes and 20
every one OF their rulers. SO they
came 10 Holofernes' tent and cried
to Bagoas. who had charge OF all his
things:
"waken now our lord: for the dogs
OF the Hebrews have been bold to
come down against US TO battle. Let
us at them that they may be utterly
destroyed"
Then went Bagoas and knocked at
the tent door OF his master. but there
came no response.
"He sleepeth. deeply" he said. and
knocked harder, and yet harder, for
he was loath TO enter thinking that
Judith was with him within the tent.
But at last he made bold 70 enter and
the CHASTITY sight which met his eyes
caused him to utter a chriek which
pierced TO the limits OF the officers
quarters and caused n great fear 10
come upon the hearts OF the captains
who waited without. Nay. the cry
had scarce begun TO die away when
they rushed into the tent and saw
their chief lying headless upon the
floor.
Like mad Bagoas tore into the tent
OF Judith adjoining, followed by the
terror-stricken captains. II was empty.
These slaves of Hebrews have
dealt treacherously." cried Bagoas. in
fear and anger. "One woman OF the
Hebrews hath brought shame upon
the house Of King Nebuchadnezzar;
for behold, Holofernes lieth upon the
ground without a head"
And fear fell upon them all, so that
there was no man that burst abide in
the sight OF his neighbor, but in panic
stricken fear each soldier In the camp
fed into the plain and scattered every
one his own way. Then sent oZias
the ruler OF Bethulia I'm great haste
TO all the cities and country round
telling OF all the things which had
come to pass and the Hebrews in all
the coasts OF Israel came forth. and
with one consent they slew their enc
mics until they were passed Dsmas-
Gus and the borders thereof.
And the residue that dwelt at Re
thulia fell upon the camp OF Assur
and spoiled IL OF all its treasure. And
the children OF Israel that returned
from the slaughter. had that which
remained, for there was abundance
for all. for the spoil was very great.
Then JOACHIM the high priest and
the ancients of the children OF Is
rRel that dwelt in Jerusalem, came
forth TO Bethulia TO behold the good
things that God had showed to Isra-
ell and to see Judith, whose fame
had spread through all the country.
And when they had come TO her they
blessed her with one accord and said
unto her:
Thou art the exalted OF Jerusalem,
thou art the great gloryo Israel. thou
art the great rejoicing OF our nation.
Thou hast done all these things by
thine hand. Thou hast done much
good in Israel. and God is pleased
with thee. Blessed be thou of the
Almighty Lord for ever more"
And all the people shouted:
so be II"
And the people spoiled the camp
the space OF 30 days; and they gave
unto Judith Holofernes' tent, and all
his plate. and beds and vessels and
his stuff. and she took Il and laid II
on her mule. and made ready her
carts and laid them thereon. Then
all the women of Israel ran together