Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-06-21
strength and with plenty in my purse,
and in my heart a dream that | have


l curse thee-I curse thee, city!"
Jether raised his arms ON high in de-
nunciation of the fair, beautiful city
which could be seen in the distance
the proud and stately mansions, the
great dome of the temple rising near
by. the splendid avenues of date and
palm trees and the distant lights,
which already were beginning to indi-
cate the coming of the gay night life
of that fair and wondrous city where
King Solomon reigned in all his glory
Nadina sneered. And / curse thee
for all nay misfortune.' she cried an
grily. "Thinkest thou that thou art the
first young fool to lose all in the big
city? No, nor wilt thou be the last
for sooner or later the city doth at
tract all who seek fame and fortune
But what hast thou lost compared with
me?"
Carried away by her emotions and her
outraged feelings, Nadma continued:
II had a daughter that brought me
much wealth. Now Pharis. the sea
captain, hath carried her away and
paid me not single shekel. On thee |
have lost the price of much good wine.
Already l have thy golden chain, but
now thou wilt pay me with thy robe,
thy golden sandals-everything They'll
sell for something. Give me this-and
this-and this
With one strong grasp she pulled the
rich embroidered garment from his
shoulders. With a push she sent the
young boy headlong upon a mass of
soft silken cushions. With another
grasp she pulled the boys tunic from
MIN. Another talon like grasp took off
first one sandal and then another, and
there Jether lay in his nakedness. with
scarcely more than half garment to
protect him.
Take them, thou heart of stone,"
murmured the boy as one after another
the garments We're taken from him.
Thy ring" demanded Nadina.
But Jether clinched his fist firmly,
NAY; that thou shalt not have. 1t
was my mothers and she placed it
there
Nadina leaned over the PROSTATE
figure and jeered.
THE ring is worn so thin care not
Now get out of my house. Go forth a
beggar and beg thy way back to thy
fathers home, thou fool" she cried,
taking the bundle of garments into the
house and leaving the young boy al
most naked lying upon the cushions.
And Jether, his heart filled to over.
flowing with remorse and penitence.
cried out to God for mercy.
Almost as an answer to his prayer
came the dull rumbling of thunder. A
tropic storm, gathering force and in
tenslty, had come upon Jerusalem al
most without warning. A binding flash
OF lightning, terrific crash of thunder,
brought Jether to his feet Vainly he
looked around him, as though not know
ing which way to turn. Another crash
OF thunder and another binding flash
came with the rain, q terrific downpour
and deluge which beat with fury
against his bare skin. He sought for
shelter, but there was none except the
house of Nadina. He staggered blindly
toward the house, only to have his way
barred imperiously by giant Nubian
slave, who stood within the doorway
and who mOtioned him back into the
storm. He staggered toward the idol
OF lshtar as though to seek shelter
from the storm beneath the altar, but
drew back instinctively. Meanwhile
the rain and the storm increased in in
tensity, and binding flash of light
ming revealed to Jether the impressive
figure of the prophet, as he stood be-
meath the shelter Of the arched gate
way of Nadina's house.
The prophets long hair was wet with
rain. His long white beard was swept
by the wind, and he seemed a gaunt,
wild, half starved figure. He raised his
staff into the air.
Fare thee forth, my son." he said
commandingly, yet kindly. Naked thy
mother brought thee into the world
Yet the Lord God watched over thee.
Naked this woman sends thee into the
storm. Will not the Lord God save
thee?"
Jether shivered in the storm and
shranlS back before the holy man.
Ills sword hangs over me, for have
sinned, and this is my punishment" he
faltered
"What hast thou done to invite his
wrath 2" cried the prophet, as the storm
increased in violence and another flash
OF lightning rent the Sky.
II have denied him." sobbed Jether
Historically.
Thou hast denied thy God?" thun-
dered the prophet "Then behold his
anger!"
lie waved his staff At the same mo-
ment giant ball of fire seemed to
rend asunder the very garden in which
they stood. A terrific fash of light
blinded Jether, and the crash of thun-
der seemed TO SKATER his ear drums.
he turned just as he realized that the
shaft of Gods lightning had struck the
idol of ishtar and in one terrific burst
OF fame had destroyed utterly the
thing of stone and wood which tho