Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-20

water which Rissah had but recently
drawn to take within the house and
the cup from which the servants
quenched their thirst. He filed the
cup with water, and, turning to the
towering figure of his elder brother,
whose fist was raised in Il threatening
manner as though to strike him. the
young boy hurled the water full in the
eyes of the elder Gaal staggered back
in surprise and anger.
/ Take thou my blessing for thy
CURSE" cried Jether as Gaal, tempo
rarily blinded. sought to dry his eyes.
"Alay the water cool thy wrath and
purify thee for the festival. thou pious,
self compliment hypocrite.'
In another moment the two men
were clasped in each others arms as
Gaal, making sudden rush. sought
to overthrow the younger brother. But
Jether was quick OF foot and agile in
squirming from his brothers grasp.
Again they clinchcd, each striving to
throw the other. yet Gaal In spite OF
his superior size proved not more than
an equal match for the energetic Je-
ther. Suddenly voice. strong, deep,
commanding, made both brothers pause
and involuntarily relax their holds.
"Stop, my sons''
Upon the upper step in the doorway
Of the house stood the aged patriarch,
Jesse of the tribe of Judca. his staff
in hand. his left hand raised in an
imperious gesture. his long white hair
and beard making him seem almost
like an inspired prophet. Slowly and
with majestic mien the aged Jesse, he
who sixty years before had been the
boyhood friend Of the great King Da-
vid, came down the steps. while thu
two brothers fell back before him. The
patriarch gazed reprovingly from one
to the other and shook his head sor-
rowfuly. Gaal took this silent rabuke
as Il reelection upon himself and sought
to make his peace with his father.
81 did but reprove him for his lazi,
ness. my father, and he hurled an in.
suit into my very beard" he cried an.
grily. "Didst thou but know one halt
Of Jether's doings. my father
Gaal hesitated as If the indictment
were too great to lay upon his fathers
head. but Jether laughingly and mock
ingly babe him go on.
speak. good brother" icercd Jether
'Thou hast ie'er before lost any
chance TO speak III Of me. This time
thou canst find many witnesses against
me. My father listens. Speak"
Jesse raisedHhis hand for silence.
"Peacc. both Of vel" he cried II an
the master here. Gaal. thou art thu
elder. Thou shouldst he the wiser
Thou knowest Jcther has toe high {
pride to let thee tell him what to do
Besides. that is my duty. not thine
Go get thee ready for the evening
neal"
| GoG; hes.tared anu cast an angr,
look at the alocking Jether.
go, say" commanded the seDera
BILE patriarch. pointing toward thu
house. With u muttercd and lntistinc
remark Gaal slowly re-entered thu
house.
"And thou, Jether,' continued. Jesse
laying his hand In kindly affectio,
upon the shoulder Of his younger son
thou hast done wrong to lift thy hant
against thy brother. Never again lie
there be strife between you. To.nigh
before / ask Gods blessing upon ny
household, yes. even before we gathe
at the table. thou shalt tell thy broth
er that thou dost repent Of thy child
ish act"
TASK pardon Of Gaal?" repiet
Jether incrcduously. drawing back II
amnzcment. ASK pardon Of Gaal"
The kindly face Of the venerabl,
Jesse smiled indulgently as he gaset
upon the hendstrong boy
Not less for thine own sake thar
for his.' he continued. "Thou art too
quick Of speech. Thy pride rs over
great, though pride Is honorable II
moderation. Thine. IL uncurbed ma,
bsing thee TO calamity"
"rll not have Gaal the master ove
me-" mnttered Jether