The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-05-03
CHAPTER ~.
HuIdah, Wife Of Jesse.

TN all Judea there was not IA more
devoted wife and mother than
lIuldah, she who had been united
In marriage to the patriarch Jesse
FOR more than forty years. With her
husband she had resided nearly half
century In that same great stone house
which Jcsse's fathers father had rear.
ell and made the center of n vast es-
tate. Here her boy Gaal had been
born forty years before. and here he
had attained mans estate and grown
10 middle age. Here. too. late In life.
had been born the younger son. Jether.
regarded by both IIuldah and Jesse rs
Gods most sacred gift TO them In their
old age.
Tluldah loved her boy Jether. No
greater affection was ever borne by
mother for her youngest than the deep.
undying devotion Of Iluldah for this
boy. Therefore when Jether decided
To make his appeal to the mother In.
stead OF 10 the stern and aged Jesse
the boy knew that his plea would not
be passed over lightly.
From within the window was heard
the patient softly modulated voice Of
the mother IA she asked:
What IL II, my boyT''
Jether answered impatiently:
Mother | would speak with thee
alone. quickly"
Down the stone steps he ran hur.
riedly and paced anxiously to and fro
upon the turf. In few moments the
tall and stately mother. embodiment OF
all that seemed best In wonderful
motherhood caressed the boy and be
slowed upon his forehead IA sacred
kiss.
Thou art flushed. my boy exclaim.
ed Huldah anxiously. Thou vert not
clothed for such n chill night upon the
hill. have often warned thee against
the sudden cold Another time shall
not let thee 20 until with mine own
eyes see thee warmly clad"
Jether impulslvely broke away from
the affectionate embrace.
Thou. too, wouldst tell me what Ia
do" he declared nngrily.
"My SON. Huldah was both sur
prised and hurt ut the outburst.
Even as thou regardest me. so does
my father" continued Jether. turning
TO her passionately-"a child TO do as
hidden. But tell thee, mother ! am
a man. and as man others seek
speech OF me. Even now one who has
Travelled and has great friends In many
cities awaits my companionship on n
long journey"
Almost stuck dumb by sudden
fear that p'rchance the lad might be
IN earnest. ifuldah drew back In ter
ror. bit stro'e 10 hide her anxiety.
"Thnn but sayest that 10 plague thy
mother" she said TREMENDOUSLY. ''ro-
morrow Is a holy day. What man
would travel upon itr'
zone day Is like another" replied
Jether.
"Jether"-
Thou knowest now. mother, and l
would have thee get my portion from
my father Thee he would not refuse"
With half stifled moan Huldah
sank upon the edge OF the well and
clasped her hands piteously. SO, then.
the boy was In .earnest-he really
meant to leave her-and he now want
ed Ids share Of the estate which some
day would be his and Gaars.
"Thou wouldst go afar and demand
est thy portlonf' she temporlzed.
Even So"
Struck by a sudden thought. the
voice Of Huldah grew hard and stern.
"Who is thy friend, Jether, who
would lead thee from usi This thought
was never thine"
Have not always wanted 10 be
free" demanded the boy, ito 20 my
own way and TO he my own mastert
Here what am | but n spoke Ia u small
wheel that goeth round and round.
each day over the sclfsame road for
the selfsame purpose, aud the hub OF