Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-15
CHAPTER vi

HNoLA laughed a mockng, sneering laugh
l. as he faced the aged Jesse. who half
raised his staff as though TO strike down
the man who would tempt Jether to leave
home.
Thou hast some memory for all thine
old age, friend Jesse" he sneered. But
why look upon me with such hostile eyer
In all these years couldst not forget the
fruit boy stole from thy burdened trees?'
Jether. indignant at the rebuke admin
istered by his father, turned to the mother
with an appealing look. She put her arms
about his shoulders
"Oh, my boy, II is an evil face, she
moaned. Thou wilt not go with him''
Jether impatiently broke away.
Thou art angry with my friend because
he Is my friend" he exclaimed.
The elder patriarch shook his head sadly.
Thou wilt never have worse friend"
he said.
Tola. as though to dismiss the subject.
turned to go.
'Jether knows mean we'll by him." he
remarked, carelessly. Come, old man. be
just. Thou hast thy ways, and 1 mine.
Thou wilt not risk the chance of losing
a piece of silver. chance everything.
gambled with fate the day I was born
into this world of large uncertainties. Thy
son Is man of spirit He woutS chance
the fortunes of the world and gain-who
knows?-perchance a crown"
Jether eagerly. but his mother cast re-
proving glance upon him and said, sternly:
"Our King was Gods anointed. The holy
prophet chose him by Will of the Almighty
How dare such as thou choose my boy
to take him into the world thou comest
from, Get thee away"
Tola tossed his mantle over his shoulder
and turned again. II deemed thee a man.
Jeher. and thine own master. stay where
thy mothers eye can watch thee. child.
Perchance tonight she'll Groom thee into
sleep. Yet vert thou man and thine own
MASTER
II am my own master"
Then tell this mother of thine that thou
art coming, and grid up thy loins and come.
| IL thy rich father so greatly love his hoard
that he would let a stranger feed his son.
then / shall feed thee"
eide. Huldah cast herself before her son.
"Jether my boy thou shalt not CO." she
cried passionately. Il cannot let thee go.
now less than ever, for II Is worse than my
worst fear. BY all that have suffered for
thy sake, the nights that have sat awake
by thee when thou vert ailing, 1 beseech
thee, do not leave us. See, thou art the mas
ter here now. Thy mother kneels In the dust
before thee"
Jether, Inundated at this display Of emo
tion in the presence of his wise and worldly
friend, roughly pulled himself away from
Hudah's outstretched arms. without in
the least meaning to do so, his action caused
the devoted mother to fall forward.
Old Jesse strode to him abruptly.
Thou are bad son." he thundered.
Thou has struck thy mother to the heart.
Thou shalt have thy portion. But never
shalt thou look upon my face again. Thou
shalt have thy portion. and may tho gold
burn in thy hands as thy deed burns In
our heart"
Angriy he turned and went Into the
I.I-k.
ported by the terrified Naomi, cast an ap-
pealing glance at the boy.
Thou shalt not go without thy mothers
blessing" she cried. "Oh. my boy, thou
didst not mean to hurt me! Thy fathers
gold will buy thee what thou needest for
thy Journey but II cannot buy thee what
will remind thee of our love for thee. Here.
take this ring, Jether Set it as a seal upon
thy heart. For the first time 1t now leaves
my finger since we were wed and thy
father placed It there. | shall lie In my
grave happier because thou hast 1t than
were It buried with me-
my mother" spoke Jether, tenderly, as
he permitted her to slip the ring upon his
finger.
"And thou wilt not leave with anger In
thy heart toward Gaa!." pleaded Huldah.
He will miss me truly. Let him now
fnd fault with others"
"And thy cousin. Naomi-she loves thee
dearly
~ will send her fine present from the
CITY," he answered.
Naomi turned sadly away. Just then
Shelah came from the house. carrying a bag
of sheepskn. with a strap which would
hold 1t over the shoulder. He cast the bag
upon the ground before Jether. and the clink
of gold made the eyes of the waiting Tola
CLEAN.
"Thy father sends thee this bag Of money
count It," growled Shelah.