The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-12-18


ing him.
In the garden they paused soon after they had
entered 1t. The majority Of them remained there
and, speaking softly. began to make ready for
their sleep, outspreading their cloaks over the
transparent embroidery Of the shadows and the
moonlight. Jesus. tormented with uneasiness, and
four Of his disciples went further into the depth
Of the garden. There they seated themselves on
the ground which had not yet cooled of from the
heat Of the day, and while Jesus was SILENT Peter
and John lazily exchanged words almost devoid Of
any meaning Suddenly Jesus rose quickly.
my soul, is exceedingly sorrowfQl. unto
death; tarry ye here and watch with me-" he said
and departed hastily to the grove and disap-
peared amid its motioness shades and light
Where did he go?" said John lifting himself
on his elbow. Peter turned his head in the d.
rection Of Jesus and answered fatiguedly:
Il do not know"
And he yawned again loudly. then threw himself
on his back and became silent. The others also
became SILENT and their motioness bodies were
soon absorbed into the sound sleep of fatigue.
Through his heavy slumber Peter saw vaguely
something white bending over. some ones voice
resounded and died away, leaving no trace in his
dmmed consciousness.
Simon, are you sleeping?"
And he slept again. and again some soft voice
reached his and died away without leaving
any trace
"Oh, Master! II you only knew how sleepy
am" he thought in his slumber but it seemed to
him that he said it aloud. And he slept again
And long time seemed to have passed. when
suddenly the figure of Jesus appeared near him.
and loud rousing voice instantly awakened him
and the others
You are still sleeping and resting? 1t is ended
the hour has come-the Son of Man is betrayed
into the hands Of the Sinners
The disciples quickly sprang to their feet, con-
fusedly selling their cloaks and trembling from
the cold Of the sudden awakening. Through the
thicket OF the trees multitude of warriors and
temple servants was seen approaching noisily
Illuminating their way with torches And from
the other side the disciples came running culver
ing with cold their sleepy faces frightened: and
not vet understanding what going on, they
asked hastily:
What is it! Who are these people with
torches?'
Thomas pale faced, his .mustaches in disorder.
his teeth chatterng from chilliness said to Peter
They have evidently come after us"
Now multitude Of warriors surrounded them,
and the smoky. quvering light of the torches
drove away somewhere the soft light of the moon
In front OF the warriors walked quickly Judas
lscariot and sharply turning his quick eye he
was searching for Jesus. He found him, rested
for an instant his look upon his tall slender fig.
ure and quickly whispered to the priests:
"Whomsoever l shall kiss that same is he
Take him and lead him cautiously. Lead him
cautiously, do you hear"
lhen he quickly moved to Jesus who waited
for him in silence and he directed his straight
sharp look like knife, into his calm darkened
eyes.
Hail, MASTER" he said loudly charging his
words or usual greeting with a strange and stern
meaning.
But Jesus was silent, and the disciples looked
at the traitor with horror not understanding how
the soul Of man could contain so much ev,,
1scariot threw a rapid glance at their confused
ranks, noticed their quiver which was about to
turn into loud. trembling fear noticed their
pallor. their senseless smiles, the drowsy mova.
ments Of their hands, which seemed as though fet
tered In iron at the shoulders-and a mortal sor
row began to burn in his heart akin to the sor
row Christ had experienced before Outstretchnp
himself into a hundred ringing sobbng strings,
he rushed over to Jesus and kissed his cold
cheek tenderly. He kissed it SO softly 40 ten
derly with such painful love and sorrow, that II
Jesus had been flower upon thin stalk he
would not have shaken from this kiss and would
not have dropped the peary dew from his pure
petals.
Judas" said Jesus, and with the lightning of
bis look he illumined that monstrous heap of