The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-05-03

"Plans? have many plans. but
this only I shall tell thee now: shall
go from this little village, and | shall
become man much talked about"
Huldah shook her dead doubtfully
and smiled indulgently.
There are few high places and many
TO seek them" she replied.
But think Of King David, mother!"
cried the boy enthusiastically. "Fa-
Their and he were boys together amid
these very hills. Yet he became a
greater king than Saul was. All say
that. What II King David had been
content to stay as a shepherd boy mt
Hebron3"
The mother half smiled through the
tears she sought to hold back.
But art thou DavidT' she asked
tendcrly.
Jether. stung by the implied rebuke.
turned away from her sulkily.
ASK my father for my portion he
said tersely.
NAY; that shall not do" replied
the mother firmly.
What! Thou wouldst give all to
my brother Gaalr
Each shall have his share when the
proper time comes. Jether. yet did ]
know more of thy plans
"Then ! will tell thee, mother" cried
the boy. coming to her and kneeling
before her rs he had done many times
In the past Il shall go In company
with great merchant whom | met at
the inn near Hebron. What he sells ]
know not. and what he buys ] know
not We Converscd long on other
things. OF one thing | do know, for
houses and goods In plenty. There.
too. he hath many friends OF highest
rank who for his sake will greet me
as their friend"
The nameless terror gripped the
heart OF Huldah again
What knowest thou OF him or OF
Jerusalem?' she quericd anxiously.
"Of him? lie is my friend" declar-
cd Jether. warming with enthusiasm
nj the prospect Of the journey TO the
big city. But Of the city? All. moth
er. couldst thou but see as ! see when
from the distant hilltops | gaze upon
the lights 50 far away To the north and
dream Of that upon which they shine
the many streets Of the great city Of
Jerusalem. filed with palaces Of gold
and ivory. where dwell victorious cap
talns and great merchant princes; the
gates In the high city walls that open
joyfully to stately caravans from
Babylon and Nineveh and Egypt,
places | know as yet only by name.
but wonderful indeed. tits said. to look
upon. see the whole world as |
stand there. one OF the thousands at
the city's gates. and hear the clamor-
Ing throng who would unload the
camels' burdens, and as they bend.
tinkling their silver bells. | would see
their cargoes' northumberland pur.
pie robes. and wines that bring men
golden visions. and swords for heroes
mystically engraved. see them all,
mother"
10 his feet as II already he would be
upon his way toward the magic city.
and though none know my name
as I stand there" continued Jether. as
though entranoed by the vision before
him. "yet I am a part Of all the great
life OF the city and to my ears II
borne the music OF strange tongues.
and my enraptured eyes behold the lit
ter of some princess OF great beauty.
borne by her joyous slaves. And the
mighty captains of thousands will
they not ride on milk white steeds
while singing mnidens strew flowers
I'm their pathi And I shall see II all
all. mother. Then while We lie sleep
Ing here In dreamless sleep. I'm the
first watches of the night. there the
Joyous life begins. and everywhere are
mirth and rtveiry and the soft wills
pers of lovers In their wooing And
oil the air u perfumed with rare
spices from Araby the Blest And
shall be part Of all there Is and feel
the glow Of the full rush of life. and
then at last-ah. then. mother, then j
shall live!"
Impusively the lad dropped upon
his knees and buried his head In his
mothers lap. tears coming from sheer
Joy at the prospect before him. The
mother stroked his head tenderly and
spoke with unerring instinct.
"Most Of all, Jether, fear the WON
en- of the city"
Jether sprang TO his feet In surprise
Thou doth me wrong To think |
seek for pleasure only, mother" he
protested. "Do | not work. Then
why not therei With such things call
ing me shall stay here among these
dreary hills watching the sheep that
only know 10 eat. TO drink. to die
seeing what they see, knowing little
more. hating the morning. for II breeds
the day. until |, too, shall der
''rhings are not as our dreams tell
Va, my boy" IIuldah came 10 the
A A. a II