The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-06-24

Rodrnan Took His Bible and Read.
shall blossom: and will make to cease
from me the murrnurings of the chill
dren Of Israel. whereby they murmur
against you"
Rodman had read on. absorbed In
the story and the picture II presented
to his Imagination He liked the idea
Of all the princes having a rod accord
Ing to the house cf their fathers. He
liked to think of the little branches
being laid on the altar In the taber-
nacle. and above all he thought OF the
longing OF each Of the princes to have
his own rod chosen for the blossom
Ing
70. And Moses spoke unto the chill
dren OF Israel. and every one OF their
princes gave him rod apiece. for each
prince one. according to their fathers
houses. even twelve rods: and the rod
Of Aaron was among their rods"
Oh! how the boy hoped that Aaron's
branch would be the one chosen to
blossom. He felt that his aunt would
be pleased, toe. but he read on steadily.
with eyes that glowed and breath that
came and went IN very palpitaton
" interest
~ And Moses laid up the rods be
fore the Lord In the tabernacle Of wit
ness
So And II came to pass. that on the
morrow Moses went into the taber-
nacle OF witness: and. behold. the rod
Of Aaron was budded and brought
forth buds. and bloomed blossoms. and
yielded almonds"
IL was Aaron's rod. then. and was an
almond bra Itch, How beautiful. for
the blossoms would have been pink;
and how the people must have mar.
yelled to see the lovely blooming thing
on the dark altar. first budding. then
blossoming. then bearing nuts! And
what was the rod chosen fort He hur-
ried on to the next verse:
20. And Moses brought out all the
rods from before the Lord unto all the
children of lsrHel; and they looked. and
took every man his rod.
40 And the Lord said unto Noses
Bring Aaron's rod again before the ties
timony to be kept for a token against
the rebels: and thou shalt quite take
away their murmurings from me. that
they die not"
"Oh. Aunt Boynton." cried the boy.
II love my name after I've heard about
the almond rod! Aren't you proud that
it's uncle's name that was written on
the one that blossomedf"
He turned swiftly to find that his
aunt's knitting had slipped on the
floor: her nerve less hands drooped by
her side as II there were no life In
them. and her head had fallen against
the back OF her chair. The boy was
paralyzed with fear at the sight Of her
closed eyes ond the deathly pallor Of
her face He had never seen her like
this before. and Ivory was away. He
new for a bottle OF spirit. always KEEP
In the kitchen cupboard for emergen
cies. and throwing wood on the DIRE IN
passing. he swung the crane so that
the tea kettle was over the fame. He
knew only the humble remedies that
he had seen used here or there In Ill
ness and tried them timidly. praying
every moment that he might hear
Ivory's step. He warmed a soapstone
in the embers and. taking or Mrs
Boyntons shoes. put II under her cold
feet He chnfed her hands and gently
poured a spoonful OF brandy between
her pale lips. Then. sprnkling cam.
phor on a handkerchief, he held Il 10
her nostrils. and TO his Joy she stirred
In her chair; before many minutes her
lids futtered. her lips moved. and she
put her hand 10 her heart.
"Are you better. aunt dearr Rod
asked In a very wavering and fearful
voice.