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


from Jesse, who threatens lola.
Huldah bids lola begone and beseeches
Iether to remain. He is obdurate, re-
ceives his portion and departs with lola
for Jerusalem. lola introduces Jether to
Nadina, a Babylonian woman, and he
lodges in her luxurious household
CHAPTER w.
The Mothers Blessing.
ACE to face, the patriarch and
the younger son stood defiant
ly. The elder man spoke first.
THY mother hath told me-" he
said sternly.
aye, I would have my portion" re-
sponded Jether bravely.
And one day thou shalt have it,
when thou art fit to use it wisely"
Jether determined to put on a bold
front with his father.
II am about to go forth into the big
world" he said, with determination.
Il shall need it now where l 60"
Jesse came to him, less stern, with
more affection in his voice than he
had hitherto disclosed
my son." he said tenderly, 1--WE need
thee here-not only for the work there
Is to do, but for the joy thy presence
brings to our hearts. l have already
said how dear thou art to us. One day
thou, too, wilt yield thy strength to age.
Think how thou wouldst feel to see a
we'll beloved son Of thine leave thee
in thine old age for strangers!"
Jether turned away from him mood.
ny.
eEThotf hast Gaal; he works hard" he
retorted.
1<"Ave, Eat he doth, but thou-thod
AEt So young, so inexperienced in the
Ways Of the world. Almost thou SEEM
est deafer to us because thou hast need
Of US. How could we be sure that
6hong strangers thou wouldst remain
faithful to all the teachings Of thy
ch,!aheod;'
- Have I no understanding Of mine
own" demanded Jether.
but thou dost not know the world"
1Then give me my portion, for l
would learn 1t for myselfr' cried Je-
Their.
o. The aged patriarch drew himself up
firmly.
',Nay, my son. he said sternly
Jether came to him Indignantly
"Have I no rights?' he demanded
'Thou thinkest only Of thy wealth, to
save it, and not of my rights"
Hath not thy mother rights?" thun.
dered Jesse in reply. when thou
vert sent to US" he continued, con
trolling himself with an effort an6
speaking with great emotion-"whe1
young. had great fear that nigh,
lose her for thy sake. In my distress
I cried out to the Lord, and in his mer
cy she was spared. Then as thou dds
grow we saw our joy reflected in tn,
face. Thou vert fair, unblemishet
child, fit for the service of the temple
but we begrudged it. Is this now oul
punishment? Our one thought wa.
but to hold thee in our sight. Whe1
thou didst kill thy first wolf in tn,
mountains l rejoiced, proud of thy
courage, and thy mother wept and re
joiced with me. How can we nov
Let thee go away to face a hundred
perils Of which thou knowest naught?'
Jether clinched his fists angrily.
''Thou thinkest only Of myself anc
mother" he protested. But what o.
me7 Have no rights? All that y,
offer here is naught to what shall
win elsewhere. The more thou sayes
the more know how much want my
freedom. Give me my share and lie
me CO."
Jesse shook his head again
1T is my wealth, to give or keep
until yield my ghost. We wish tim.
to weigh this matter carefully. Aftel
tomorrow, when thou hast told u.
more, perhaps
NAY, would have it now" insisted
Jether.
Naomi, who had listened with quick
enmg pulse as she chung to the patien
Huldah, came to her uncle and kneele(
before him.
81 pray thee, uncle" she said softly
'1et him depart"
Jesse turned to her in amaZemen
and motioned her to rise.
what! Thee, too, Naomi? Tho
wouldst have him go?"
LET him behold Jerusalem, uncle,
pleaded the young girl, a glance of Low
ing affection cast toward Jether. III
will return. Not to the hour, perhaps
the day, the month, but he will return
know it. Let him see Jerusalem. LIE
him see the world with thy permission
or else perhaps
Enough cried Jesse sternly, as h
bade her return to Huldah. "Thi
friend of thine, Jether, with WHOM
thou wouldst go to Jerusalem woul,
see him. Cali him.
Jether stroye to appear unemba1
raised, but he hesitated as he walke'
to the corner of the house and called
my friend, come herev'
Tola, careless, Indifferent, almost in
nudent Swappared info view He cam