El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-24
INTERESTING PEN PICTURES OF THE BIRTH
PLACE OF THE SAVIOUR
The Road From Jerusalem, Where Judas Committed
Suicide and David Killed Goliath The Plain of
The Shepherds and the Well of the Magi-In
Grotto of the Nativity-How Chrst's
Mother Really Looked.
Copyright. 1910. by Frank G. carpenter.)

of the East followed the star on their
born. They had called upon king Herod
at Jerusalem to ask about the king of
the Jews. He had told them to find
where he was born, that he might come
and worship him. The road goes by a
well where 1t is said these Wise Men
stopped to drink. 1t is known as the
We'll of the Magi," and it is near an
olive grove on the east side of the road.
1t is covered with a marble stone as
big around as a cart wheel, in the GEN.
ter of which a hole has been cut
through which the water is raised by a
bucket and rope to the surface. The
stone is kept clean and well polished by
the kisses of pilgrims.
The story is that the Wise Men as
they trudged along the road in the
gathering twilight sat down on the
margin of this well to rest. They
stopped forward to draw some water to
drink, when they saw in the mirror like
surface the star. They looked toward
the heavens, and then, in the words OF
the Scripture:
10. the star which they saw in the
east went before them, until it came and
stood over where the young child was"
The Plain of the Shepherds.
1t was not far from here that Caught
my first sight of the field where the
shepherds lay that same night when
they saw the star. 1t is said to be the
one which was owned by Boaz. upon
which Ruth CLEANED her wheat 1t lies
across the valley TO the east of Bethle-
hem There is little village in front
Of it, and a part of the field is covered
by an olive grove I saw the sheep feed
ing upon it, and as 1 rode to Bethle-
mem 1 passed flocks of sheep which
were being driven to the Jerusalem
markets. They were of the fat-tailed
variety, some OF their tails Weighing, I
venture. Is pounds each.
They were owned by shepherds,
dressed in long gowns and wearing
handkerchiefs about their heads as tur-
bans Some of the shepherds wore
sheepskins, and it is probable that
who followed the star. There is a chapel
now in the Field OF the Shepherds, and
for centuries g. church and a monastery
stood on the spot,
Judas Iscariot.
Soon after leaving Jerusalem we pass
a hill. where. the guide says. stood the
building in which Judas Iscariot sold
his Lord for 80 pieces of silver. The
site is at the left of the road, and not
far away is an Nold olive tree, uLon
which the ignorant pilgrims are tod
Judas hanged himself in his remorse
after he crucifiXion.
Going onward about four miles from
Jerusalem we come to building which
has just received q fresh coat of w1fte-
wash. 1t is known as the TClnb of RAJ
chael. and it covers a spot where size IS
said to be buried 1t is not far from 1t
that David had his fight with Goliath,
the 10-foot-high giant OF the Scriptures.
am not sure as TO the locality. but
there are stones there today, and plenty
Of ammunition for the sings OF numer-
BUS Davids. Indeed, there is hardly
field on the hills of Judea which is not
covered with stones of one size or an
other. ana the shepherds use sings to
this day.
The Field of Peas.
And, speaking Of stones, reminds me
Of the Field of Peas, which lies not far
from Bethlehem 1t is a tract on the
side of a hill, upon which the rocks are
so thick that if planted TO corn you
would have to carry earth to cover the
grains. AS the story goes, our Lord
vas passing here when he say a man
sowing grain. He stopped and asked
him what he was sowing. The man re- Il