St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-10-16


salem, that Demetrius sought to make
alliance with him thinking to find op'
portunity to kill him. 1t was at TINS
time also that King Alexander, against
whom Demetrius had sent great
army, also dispatched deputatlon 10
Jonathan saying:
I'VE have heard of thee, that thou
art man of great power, and meet
to be our friend. Wherefore now this
day we ordain thee to be the high
priest of thy nation, and to be called
the kings friend, that thou mayst take
our part and keep friendship with us"
Now Jonathan and the people were
well pleased when they heard these
words, because Alexander was the
first that had entreated true peace
with them, and they made pact with
him and were confederated with him
always.
So matters stood at the time when
King Alexander having slain Demet.
RUS in battle and scattered his army
had gone to Ptolemais to meet the king
of Egypt.
That was a great event for it was
there that Alexander was to marry
Cleopatra, the daughter Of Ptolemee,
and the rulers and great men from all
the nations around had been invited
to be present at the royal celebration.
In the land of Judea it was quickly
noised abroad that an invitation had
come to Jonathan to attend the nup'
tials, and his followers rejoiced that
King Alexander had so remembered
and honored their leader.
But certain wicked fellows who
were enemies of Jonathan and sought
for occasion to discredit him and
weaken his power, entered into a plot,
saying:
Let us go also to Ptolemais. We
will take gifts to King Alexander, and
because he will be in festive mood. 1t
will be easy to gain his ear, when we
shall be able to bring things to his
notice which will turn his heart
against Jonathan, so that he will no
| longer be his friend"
In accordance with this plan they
departed secretly for Ptolemais pre-.
| pared to poison the mind of Alexander
| against Jonathan. Now Jonathan had
not yet come to the city, fact which
seemed to favor the plans of these
evil men, for having presented their
gifts they succeeded in gaining the
promise of Alexander that he would
hear certain petition which they
brought on the morrow.
Full of citation they departed, saying
| among themselves:
IF Jonathan but delays his coming
but another day we shall win our
cause and instead of welcome there
will be disgrace before the king
Expectantly therefore they came tc
Alexander the next day, and the
spokesman stepped forth to declare
their matter, saying:
BE it known unto the king thai
there are certain matters in our nation
which should come to the attention o.
the king, for he whom the king think!
is his ally and friend is dealing in de
ceit and would do him hurt"
"Of whom speakest thou?" demand
ed the king. Before hear furthe
let me know whom it is against whom
thou art bringing charges"
Jonathan" replied the man, will
evident reluctance.
Jonathan will be here" exclaimed
the king.
NAY, he hath not come and viii
not, for he is plotting against thee.
mot another word" Numbered Alex
ander, rising angrily from his seat
and would have spoken further, blu
at that moment shout rose from thu
outer court and Jonathan and his fol
lowers were ushered into the presenc,
of the king.
Here is the man whom the king
would honor" he exclaimed, impetu
ously. Come hither."
Jonathan wonderingly assembled tn,
throne steps, for he had not known
that his enemies had come to accuse
him.
The purple robe be thy portion, TO
thou art surely prince worthy tt
wear it," exclaimed the king, throw
ing a garment over the shoulders o
Jonathan. Then turning to the prince
standing about the throne, he said:
go with this man into the mids
of the city and proclaim to all that M
man shall complain against him, blu
he shall be duke, and ruler in al
thority in his realm" So Jonathan
returned to Jerusalem in peace an,
safety.