Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-15

rib'e wrongdong OF the errng Ietller.
detained him
wait We would learn more of
thee" he asked. Hast heard. moth
or? Jcther hath done. something 80
shameful that Gods hand smotc him
for 1t, Let this man tell freely of It.
that all may know we drive him Justly
FROM Our door"
Huldah Indignantly commanded the
stranger to speak.
"Yes. stranger. speak forth thy mai
icel' she cried My son hath done no
wrong to any man save to himself"
Haggai turned and for the first time
recognized .Iether who half supported
himself on one arm MS he gazed up ct
Iiaggai.
80 thou still livest." said Ilaggai
sternly Il had thought thee dead
And better far did thy kin wear sack
cloth for thee. for living or dead thou
art accused of Cod
stop, thou slandererr' cried IIu,dah
"Nay woman. hear me. II Is right
that all should know. With mine own
ears | heard wanton tell while he
stood mute. denying naught by word
or deed, that out of love for ler .lether
had sacrificed unto the Babylonian
goddess Islllar He hath renowned
the god Of .Tudea.
Huldah aud the rest shrank back
with horror. only Jesse remained I'M
moved. his face still covered. his body
erect rs Il statue.
speak! 10 | liet" demanded Hag
gai
Jother slowly struggled to his feet.
faced him and said lumbly, Thou
dost not lie
Then look into mine eyes" cried
IIaggai roughly. "DdSt thou not stand
before the very altar Of the heatllen
and say IL thing so terrible that no
man dare repeat itT'
Jcther nodded Again thou speak
est truth And in the awful storm
which followed" he added, speaking
tensey and With awe of the Almighty.
'in that storm saw the face Of God
And but fer something that spoke deep
in my heart and babe me live and suf
fer and atone | should have persisted
there"
Gaa Interrupted with triumphant
cry.
"Ah, now ye know my brother us he
is-an idolatcr, 4 blasuhemor. accursed.
Who will now hold Il hand to such
one and face Gods wrnth:"
Huldah. with pteous cry. clutched
Jether's arm and gazed into his eyes.
Thou hast done that thing" she
cried sobbng. and covered her face
with her cloak. Jethcr held or. his
arms to her besecchingly.
Mother" he cried. "dost thon also
desert nc? Now, when peace had just
come to ne. thou leavest me-"
Hudah looked at him with supreme
mother lore. grasped his hand ana |
sank sobl'pg ut his feet while he
strovc to comfort her.
Gaal sought to bring the unhappy
scene to an end as soon as he could. !
Unto the house, all Of yc, and thou, I
too, stranger, If thou wilt be our
guest" lie directed.
llaggai sung his leathern water hot
tie over his arm and graspcd his star |
Not of house accursed,' he SAID |
grutiiy and strobe off down the road. /
The servants started 70 obey the voice /
of Gaal, us Jethcr softly ca,eSscd his .
mother, when suddenly the hitherto (
stoli;l figure Of Jesse moved. With an
imperious gesture he dropped the man.
tie from his face. With Il kindly and I
forgiving smile ulon his countcnaIee, i
as though inspired from heaven, the
aged patriarch turned.
"ilold.' he cried in great voice rs
though speaking Il holy message LET /
no one stir. henr--I hear"
Hc paused, as il listening to n dis.
tant voice from the angels.
Il hear the message" he cried joy
fully. Our sob IL once morc with us.'
lie went TO Jether anh looked ut him .
Kindly. rs all present showed their al,-
provll-ull except GsnI. who stood
aloof.
MY SON." continued the patriarch.
"thou hast sinucd greatly, and thun