Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-06-28

Inc young girl, notlclng that Stran-
ger was there in rags and evidently In
distress, ran quickly She knelt beside
him, but Jether averted his face.
"a beggar, and probably hungry as
we'll as sick and tiredr she cried sy,n.
pathetically. And in rags. / am
sorry"
And thus 1t was that the wanderer
came home!
Naomi did not recognize Jether, as;
indeed, few could who had known the
lad when, in the full flush of vigorous
young manhood, he had left home SO
many months before.
Thou hast no need to fear that thou
wilt leave here hungry" she said gen.
srously. 'Rissah, prepare some food.
No stranger comes through Hebron too
poor or mean to be a welcome guest at
Huldah's table, for he might bring It'd
ings long awaited for one who''-
She paused as sudden thought came
to her
"Hadst thou perchance but met some
one upon thy travels who hath heard
and told thee aught of Jether, son of
Jesse, thou couldst have the best this
house affords to take with thee upon
thy travels. Hadst thou heard such
tidings"r
Jether's voice choked with sob as
he murmured to himself, "She still
cares for me-
Each day his mother strains her
eyes from the high watchtower to be-
hold him first upon his RETURN" con-
tinued Naomi sadly. II have seen her
clutch the empty air and smile upon 1t
with great tears in her eyes,"
''All for her SOM" cried Jether eager
ly, yet incredulously.
Thou canst not understand a moth
er's love-" continued Naomi. 'aThon
art man. But women know. Why,
myself, though l have seen him lost in
revelry, with a strange woman in his
arms, and drunk with wine that day l
was in the city, yet still p.
She paused, not realizing that she
was about to give her confidence to
beggar. But Jether still averting his
face, said huskily:
1ueli IL WAS luOu :!
What meanest thou, old mann" In
quired Naomi.
Nothing. l did but think 1t was no
idle saying that a mother loves her
worst child best"
Naomi smiled sadly and wistfully
Hast thou perchance son who went
astray?"
I'm all this world no man is more
alone than l." said Jether. "And thou,
who didst see this man in sin, what
didst thou tell his mother?"
II told naught save that the kins-
man whom 1 visited had heard no
word Of Jether. What saw I locked
in my own heart"
''Then hast thou been kind to his
mother" added Jether.
"But now,'' cried Naomi, suddenly
| struck with an idea, thou shalt do
| this for me. If there is sin in it let 1t
be on mine own head. Thou shalt de-
clare that somewhere-just where thou
hast forgotten-thou didst hear of one
named Jether, the son Of jesse who
| has won great honors-somewhere
Speak not of his work, for Jether
worked not overmuch, and they would
| question. Say that thou hast heard
| that for his fair face and form and gift
| of words and for his winsome eyes
thou hast heard-somewhere wo-
mans heart felt for him and opened a
gate to honor for him. This shalt thou
tell his mother!''
Jether shook his head sadly.
II could not lie-to her," he said sim.
| ply.
Then this thou shalt do and still be
truthful man." continued Naomi
"For thou hast Travelled much. shall
tell Master Gaal that thou perchance
may know where crops failed utterly
and where the people must buy. That
will delight him well. Then he must
pay thee money and give thee gar.
ments, for thine are past all use. Wait
here but little while, and will send
thee food"
And before Jether could refuse the
young girl had fed into the house, and
he was alone.
he staggered to his feet, and, sup
porting himself upon the staff, he slow
ly faltered to the stone steps that lee
to the main doorway Of the house OF
Jesse. From within came the clink Of
silver upon crockery as Rissah laid the
table for the evening meal. Through 8
small window came light, and the
beggar slowly moved up the steps anG
leaned over toward this window. HI
could see within the room. What ht
saw made him gasp with pleasure anC
excitement, yet there was also note
Of fear in his voice.
Mother" he half cried, for within
the room he had seen the sweet ant
stately Huldah, the mother whom hi
had left such a short time before, vel
now her face was tinged with sadness
and she never smiled.
Jether, half fainting, stepped bach
upon the steps and slowly descended
them. AT the foot of the steps he
| stumbled and fell He had no siren OIL