Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-06-28

NoI VI house dccuTSeu, he Salu
gruff1y and strobe off down the road.
The servants started to obey the voice
of Gaal, as Jether softly caressed his
mother, when suddenly the hitherto
stolid figure of Jesse moved. With an
imperious gesture he dropped the man
forgiving smile upon his countenance.
Rs though inspired from heaven, the
aged patriarch turned.
'Hold!' he cried in a great voice as
though speaking holy message. Let
no one stir. l hear-I hear"
He paused, as if listening to dis
tant voice from the angels.
II hear the message" he cried joy
fully. "Our son is once more with u.s."
He went to Jether and looked at him
kindly, as all present showed their ap-
proval-all except Gaal, who stood
aloof.
my son." continued the patriarch,
thou hast sinned greatly, and thou
hast suffered greatly. But if thou hast
known Gods wrath and still hath
found peace, no man on earth shall
take it from thee. 1t is thy greater
portion. Look into mine eyes that /
may see it."
Jether gazed into those kindly eyes
and sobbed as he fell into his fathers
protecting and affectionate embrace.
Father he sobbed.
"Thou shalt come into my house
again. Thou shalt there regain thy
strength, and there thou shalt abide
with u.s.
II shall again abide with thee?" re-
peated Jether, dazed and yet happy.
'Thou shalt not leave home again.
Thou must have given proof of thine
atonement. Thy curse hath passed from
thee"
"At last-oh, my father, thy words
put new strength into me-"
Call all the neighbors," continued
Jesse raising his voice and directing
side. "1n the house of Jesse shall be
rejoicing. In world of famine here
is abundant harvest. A coat for my
son-the best my chest contains. He
shall receive my guests and do me
honor. for while we others have
walked the road our fathers have
walked he has gone out and travelled
stonier roads, and yet he has returned
to us. Spread great feast where all
are welcome. Divide the seasons store
among the needy. He who was lost
is found. He who was dead is now
mighty among the living"
Gaal strobe to him fiercely as the
faithful Shelah brought Jether beau
tiful coat and aided the lad to cover
his nakedness.
"Art thou mad?'' cried Gaal This
Callest myself just? What sort of
4 justice is this for me, who hath never
sinned against any one? Yet for me
thou doest naught. My friends thou
hast not once invited to feast, not
once in all these years."
Jesse turned to him and smiled be-
nignantly.
Thou hast not gone forth into the
world and yet come back, Gaal. Nor
cOuldst thou comprehend the Justice
of compassion. In my arms my boy
rests again. No unkind word shall
reach my SON. Yet, Gaal, had hoped
that thou wouldst rejoice with me on
his return and forgive thy brother as
l have forgiven him."
Gaal turned away angrily Huldah
came to him, placed her hand affec.
tionately on his shoulder and pleaded:
;c,1
thy brother, thy younger brother. Wilt
thou not join with us in welcoming
home the wanderer"
Gaal modify refused to answer
Jether spoke.
"Gaal,'' he whispered, my brother
The stern and hard heart of the eldel
brother. relaxed. Perhaps he felt thai
he, too, had been partly to blame fol
the misunderstanding of the past. He
hesitated, and the gentle voice Of hi:
mother and the plight of the boy Je
Their moved him. He turned, paused
and in moment he and Jether wer,
embracing.
"Jether!" he cried
"Gaal" answered the boy gladly.
Auu wien Lue UFOIuefS cldSpeU e6cl
other and Huldah and Jesse embraced
for the sake Of their two children
the servants silently gave way befor
them. The gentle Naomi rushed t,
Jether's side, and. arm in arm, tn,
two brothers. the sweet cousin and tn
aged patriarch and his wife turned in
stinctively once more to re-enter tn
house of their ancestors. there fittingl,
to celebrate the evening meal and pre-
pare the feast of thanksgiving for tn
return of the prodigal.
And in the gathering twilight, stand
ing upon the threshold across whicl
he had never expected to step again
Jether paused, looked lovingly at tn
little group about him and said proud
ly, happily, wonderfully:
"My fathers house!'
THE END