Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-05-03

I Naomi In her arms, drew back in hor-
ror as she beheld the lines of dissipa-
ton which threaded the countenance
of Tola.
ooh, my son, it is an evil facew she
cried. And Jesse, dimly comprehend
ing with failing eyesight the identity of
the Sinking and smiling visage before
him, suddenly raised his staff as though
to strike the intruder. He had recog-
nized him.
$50, then, it is thou, thou cheat, thou
gambler, thou nar" he Numbered with
rage. And it is thou who wouldst cor
rupt my boy? Out Of my house, thou
lying, dishonorable cheat-begone be-
fore strike thee, old as l am!'
Tola laughed, knocking, sneering
laugh, 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. Tola cautiously
retreated out of the range of the staff
"Thou hast some memory for all
thine old age, friend JESSE" he sneered.
but why look upon me with such a
hostile eye. in all these years couldst
not forget the fruit boy stole from
thy burdened trees?"
Jether, indignant at the rebuke adj
ministered by his father, turned to the
mother with an appealing look. She
put her arms about his shoulders.
"Oh, my boy, it is uu evil face" she
moaned. "Thou wilt not go with him?'
Jether impatiently broke away from
| his mother.
"Thou art angry with my friend be-
cause he is my friend he declared.
The elderly patriarch shook his head
sadly. 'sThou wilt never have a worse
friend,' he said.
lola, as though to dismiss the sub
| ject, turned as if to go.
"Jether knows l mean well by him."
he remarked carelessly. Come, old
man, be just. Thou hast thy ways and
I mine. Thou wilt not risk the chance
of losing a piece Of silver. l chance
everything. l gambled with fate the
day was born into this world of large
uncertainties. Thy son is a man of
spirit. He would chance the fortunes
of the world and gain-who knows
Perchance crown"
"As thy friend David did," inter.
rupted Jether eagerly, but his mother
cast reproving glance upon him and
! said sternly:
Our king was Gods anointed. The
holy prophet chose him by will Of the
1Y,oiohfu dor
choose my boy to take him into the
world thou CONTEST from7 Get thee
away"
Tola tossed his mantle over his shQul-
der and turned again. II deemed thee
man, Jether, and thine own master.
Stay where thy mothers eye can watch
thee, child. Perchance tonight she'll
Groom thee into sleep. Yet vert thoti
man and thine own master
~ am my own master"
"Then tell this mother of thine that
thou art coming and grid up thy loins
and come. If thy rich father so greatly
loves his hoard that he would let 6
stranger feed his son then shall feel
thee"
| Jether hesitated, for he knew full
well that to depart thus would meal
that his share Of the estate might some
day go to the hated Gaal.
But before he could decide Huldat
cast herself On her knees before her son
"Jether, my boy, thou shalt not go!
she cried passionately. Il cannot lie
thee go, now less than ever, for it II
worse than my worst fear. By all tina
l have suffered for thy sake, the nights
that l have sat awake by thee whel
thou vert ailing, beseech thee do no
leave us. See, thou art the master her
now. Thy mother kneels in the dus
before thee"
Jether, Inundated at this display o
emotion in the presence Of his wis
and worldly friend, roughly pulle
himself away from her outstretche
clasp. With an impatient gesture h
tore himself loose. Without in tn
least meaning to do SO, his very actor
caused the devoted mother to fall fol
ward, and with cry of anguish in he
heart she lay PROSTATE before the head
strong boy.
Old Jesse strobe to him abruptly.
"Thou art bad sonw he thundereG
"Thou hast struck thy mother to tn
heart. Thou shalt have thy portion
But never shalt thou look upon m
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