Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-01
CHAPTER III
N ANOTHER goblet Of wine to seal ane
"A our friendshinir


"A our friendship"
The speaker, a man OF middle age, well
dressed, with handsomely embroidered
tunic of rich dark cloth, bound with leath-
ern girdle, and wearing costly sandals en-
broidered with beads, seemed In striking
contrast to the lad who faced him in the
inner courtyard of the Inn of Oxen. on the
outskirts of the town of Hebron. They were
seated at a rough wooden table in the
courtyard of a plain, square building. the
open sky above them showing that night
fall was not far distant The lad. a hand
some dark boy, with long curly hair, clad
only in garment made of two leopard
skins, shook his head.
Nay. I'll drink no more" said the hoy.
The elderly man laughed.
And how often have | spoken those self
same Words" he cried, moCIingly. But
TO eat without drinking is like devouring
ones own blood. Come, come, my good
Jether Another goblet, ere we part"
The boy arose somewhat unsteadily
TN drink no more" he cried For
a day and night have l spent my time
with thee Tola, and thou hast been a
good friend and hast taught me many
things and told me much of that wonderful
city where some day / may journey, but
| must go hence now. Too long have l
neglected my flock"
Tola laughed. an evil smile lighting his
face as he drained the goblet
Thy fock?" he cried. Wherefore
should likely lad like thee tend sheep
upon the hillside? Thou art the son Of
rich man, Jether. From Oxen, the landlord
| did hear but yestere'en that some day
when thou dost inherit thy portion thou
wilt have much gold and lands and many
cattle. Why, with the wealth that will
some day be thine thou canst go TO the
Court of Solomon-perchance become
prince thyself-thou canst live like a King
in Jerusalem"
"To Jerusalem?' the boy exclaimed
incredulously. But my father will never
give his consent"
GO then without it," replied Tola sar-
castically '"rhy father is rich-demand
thou thy portion, and go forth. Who
knows what fortune may befall thee-the
great King David was but shepherd lad
amid these very hills
But IL my father doth refuse?"
when II my father failed to give me what
] deemed my rights, l found way to
take them." cried Tea, angrily. grasping
the boy again by the arm. And since he
had put me to so much unjust trouble, /
took all that / found"
Jether backed away from him in sur
prise and fear.
'lnen tnOu VIII SDIne udy Suller puTlSn-
ment for that theft" he said. Does not
our law say"
Tola interrupted him with a laugh.
BE not tiresome. That is the only law
I warn thee to obey when thou dost meet
my friends in Jerusalem. They are merry
fellows, rich and free, with youth and
spirits And when | shall take thee to the
house OF my good friend Nadina, and shall
introduce you to her daughter, Tisha the
fairest in all Jerusalem, shouldst thou
preach to them they would never forgive
me for bringing thee along. As for Tisha,
really think she might slap thy face"
Jether turned toward him curiously and
asked
elisha, dldst thou say?"
AYE, Tsha of Babylon, now the fairest
maid In all Jerusalem. For her favors men
would almost pay the ransom of a king
yet Tisha scorns them all and boasts that
she will be won by love alone. Such a lad
as thou, with wealth. youth, good looks
why, fair Tisha would worship thee"
Nay, know naught of women" replied
Jether hesitatingly. II know naught OF
love- save that l bear my mother and my
cousin Naomi, and for any one else l care
not"
What an innocent fool thou art"
taunted Tola with laugh THAT youth
ful innocence will attract fair Tisha far
more than gold and shekels, What sayst
thou, wilt thou come with me?"
Jetner nesltateu. from the distance
came the sound of a silver trumpet. He
heard 1t and started
Il am late Already l fear my fathers
anger for leaving. the sheep INTENDED. NV
brother Gaal will once more taunt me with
my neglect, One moment. Tola. Come with
me. and win ask my father for my portion
and go with thee"
Tola slapped him affectionately upon the
back
Thou art good lad after ALL" he said.
Bring thy gold and come with me. will
await thee here while thou dost get thv
portion"
II viii come. portion or no portion" an
swered Jether.'
'What9" cried Tola in pretended surprise.
"wouldst live upon another's money?"
own money."
Thou Art fool 70 spend thy dsys q
labor - that thy hyothsr 0aal nsy ~
shst y tAieA "a tAs& 1egoU