The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-12-17

Il
n1)bf one hand fastened in the
rs and his blade held high. And
roaY Hadad, awaking from his slum-
~ saw death kneeling upon his
and realizing his hclplessness
be 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 a trif1e,
for he wished to torment him for q
period before he let the blow fall.
Il have come to kill you, Ben Ha-
dad" he said coldly. The man be-
meath him shook like q 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 its 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 we're. For at least their skins
are worth something ana their hesn
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 I 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 n 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 q child's. Greatly
amazed at the wonderful transforma-
ton he turned his eyes upward as the
other had done, and Is he did so he
gave q great gasp. his fingers loos-
ened and he sat staring up into the
| night. For far to the eastward there
| shone q new star in the armament,
| such q star as the world had new 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 subtle
change came over the hard heart Of
Ben Joseph. From out Of it his wrath
fed like a scourged evil thing: the
Goals OF hate that had burned therein
turned to ashes and into their place
stole a goftness such as he had never
felt before. He shuddered. threw his
knife into the night and getting upon
hts feet held out his hand. Arise
Ben Hadad. I 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:
Il murdered your sheep because
hated you. and In return you spared
my life. Why did you do So" Ber
Joseph shook his head as much puz
; xled as was the other.
THAT l do not know. I only know
that I hate you no longer. I even seen
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 II
the place Of the slain one and We
will be friends from this night on
His companion nodded.
I'VE will be as brothers throughout
our lives. I will come for the sheer
another day, bringing you q present
Until then peace be with you" Int
the darkness he passed. his eyes still
fastened upon the eastern miracle,
song Of happiness arising from hi
heart. For though Ben Joseph knew
it not, the son of God had come t.
earth and already the influence Of hi
gentle spirit vas waiting like tn
night breeze throughout the land
soothing the breast Of man al tn
night breeze soothed his cheeks. Fo
such was the coming and spread o
the holy spirit Of the Master: tn
spirit of peace on earth and good vii
to man.