noAM'Ki: r riiK nr.RAi.n. roanoke iirn. n. c
a
Tr-
Cc-uis
YCf medium hrfht with aji.'ky comfiony ffift $? HQ jt'i
"A1? Dorthyj arm ltroufh hij "
a-- - r I
Chapter
V PFAB Sill, would you not like
some clothes to wear nnd some- i
thing to rat, five of nil eostt"
"1 wouldn't mind It." repded
the little ragged, unsluived. cold
and hungiiry wondorer.
"Well thou." t,ie u"
slim pout lemon with the high
forhoad mid sharp features.
"come along with me. I will show you whore you
get your moneys worth and soiiuming ior
nothing."
They started off nt n lively walk and entered
a large house with out a light In It by the reur
door.
"This," said the tall man, "Is my residence.
Are you very hungury?"
"Quite right," replied the little man I eould eat
most nr.ythlng If It didn't cost hie anything."
"It will cost you not one cent mid you shall
have all you can eat and drink If you will be kind
enough to take of your coat and roll your slehve
up."
"Why such trnuhle?" replied the smaller fel
low, "that's an odd thing to do to earn a meal.
I should think you would ask something more
sss coin ss.-s com ssssss tnon ssss ssss."
"What's this on my arm?" tittered the smaller?
How did It come to be ttiere? Have I been
asleep?"
"You sure was asleep. That which you see upon
your arm Is my nanie. Here in this house they
know not no other nnme. That Mpm your arm
hinds you to my services. You can not escape this
town and maybe not this house, alive. It means
that you will live happily if you will try to be
contented."
"I'mph," grunted the wanderer looking nt bis
right arm, "so your nnme Is ltlack Foot, I under
stand?" "Ity the way what Is your name?"
"My tne,." replied-"the smaller of the two, "19
Jphn "Ulster Bruce,"
"YWMHr. Biuee," snld Black Foot n half hour
later, ''vm may cat now."
John immediately went to the table nnd there
before him was a meal, to his estimation, fit for
a king. He did not look up from the table until
be had devoured his share and more to of mashed
potatoes, roasted meats, gravy, sweets nnd side
dishes of various kinds.
The monotonous, continuous pouring of food
in the principal organ of digestion, which they
cull the stomach, If he had one, wus kept up for
thirty minutes.
The room appeared as If the owner had an
Immense sum of money.
What was the Idea of bringing a ragged tin
shnved tramp In a bouse like this? Why did he
call himself lilack Foot at home Instead of his
real name? Why did be put his odd name on my
nrni and toll me that my life wns In danger If
I attempted escape?, was the thoughts John had
In mind Just as Black Foot -came in and offered
him a tnrklNh ifearotto with a cork tip.
"Well," he said, as be came in, "are you ready
to go up your room."
Black Foot turned nnd led him through n hall
way nnd up n stairs; both being pnded Immense
ly thick with carpets which made no noise what
ever when tredded upon.
After they had left the Stairs nnd were well
on their wny through nnother hall a hell could be
heard which wns near by.
It wns ringing continuously therefor told for
Itself that It was no telephone, but some other
electrical device.
lilack Foot led the fny Into a room on the
left.
"This," he snld. as be pressed a button which
Immediately stopped the bell from ringing nt Its'
hlghth of glory In a corner on the wall, "Is an In
truders nlurm."
"This Is uiy room here. We will go to yours
now."
They went Into a room which wns unusnly low
nnd large ns to width and length. It wns finished
up to an extent somewhat like the room In which
be Bte regarding the style. In one corner was a
lane wooden bed.
"This butten here when pressed," said Black
Foot," is what I would cnll n private bell. It rings
only when some one is In this room besides on the
bed. You press the same button to turn It on ns
you do to turn It off. The other one is the same
as you seen me press In my room."
"Now I wisli to have you change your clothes.
You'll Hnd plenty in the wardrobe. When you
have finished just oin your door. I will hear
you."
John went to the wardrobe and pulled out a
blue serge suite, looked It over and replaced It
with another of different colnr which he put on
with a silk shirt that he picked out from fifteen
others.
He also adopted a rolled liineon-cnlar and silk
tie, silk stockings and brown F.ngllsh walking
iiue. Hut, gloves nnd overcoat he laid on a
chair.
He then went to the door and opened It, as
Instructed.
Black Foot Immediately approached and pre
sented him with a Colt Autoniuttc 32 Caliber re
volver and cartridges.
"Put these In your pocket or keep them neur
by you. You may need them sometime."
"I will rail In mv assistance for you to tool
over, then their will he less danger of shooting
one of your friends."
In came a tall slim gentleman. He looked some
thing like Black Foot. They must of been broth
ers. The first mans name was Jimmy Wells,
Next was Itussel Towers a man of about 45
years of age and 5 feet 3 indies tall. Dark com
plexion but clean shaved. When he approached
I noticed that he walked very lightly and panther
like. In my mind I railed him the panther.
Porthy Carter wns the next to come In.
This was the first time that John fell In love
at first sight. You could see him catch his breath
dnd open his eyes as he greeted her with a smile.
She was a young lady of about twenty. She
was of medium hlghth with a silky complextlou
and light hair, beautiful blue eyes and dressed
well.
"Those people," said Black Foot to John who
wns gazing after Miss Carter ns she went out
Willi the other two assistance, "are very much
help to me. The lady Isn't realy a helper because
I class her as my daughter."
"Now I think 1 will leave you to retire. Break
fast at eight o'clock."
After John was once more left to himself he
sat down in a chair to think of bis adventure
from live o'clock until now and to think of what
the future might he. "What did It nil mean? Was
Black Foot an esitiped convict or president of
some crooked trust company? Was Black Foot
trying to hide his Identity? No that couldn't be.
he' was down town this evening when he picked
me up."
"Well I nm going to make use of that bed."
said John lifter every thing wns still for the
night, "III try anything once."
lie lay abed until' two o'clock a. m. however
without sleeping a wink.
Presently he turned bis head towards the cen
ter table and saw a book which he Immediately
rose to read. Howbelt be read to the middle of
the second chapter when bur r-r-r-r-r-r-rr.
"Hello! some night walker hus stepped Into the
house.
"(l o o o o o o hm"
"My Cod! what can thnt he? Is some one
killed aready?"
John went over nnd pressed the butten which
stoppeil the bell from ringing, took up his te
volver and started in scroll of the Intruder.
In the upper floor he could find nothing so he
started down stairs nnd was In the front part of
the house when he could benr some one move
h,g about. Then a light could he seen In the room
to the left. John tiptoed tip to the door and was
about to turn the light on.
"Bang!" n flash of lire could be seen and a
heavy thump "as heard.
you! I'll learn ye t' sneak up an' try
t' catch me," said a large black wlskered yegg
with a red buiidiinnn handkerchief across his
face." If ye'd n mind yer own business ye would
na' been u corpse."
The yegg picked up bis treasure nnd revolver
and started out but when right In the door way
he dropped his gun which caused John to wake
up.
"Hands up, you fool," John commanded, "do
you think I can dye as easy as nil of that. If you
iower them one bit. I'll shoot. Turn to your right
there and keep front of my light
"Here! sit In thnt chair." John snld, nfter they
were In Black Foot's room," nnd keep them bunds
up too."
"Here he comes now, prisoner. Keep them hands
up."
"Ha! Ha! It's you ngnin Is It. you get down
stairs and nut of the house ns fast ns you can.
If you come buck here ngaln there will be
trouble," suggested Black Foot ns he entered the
room, "I see you have made good so far. John.
Tell me about what you done. I heard some body
shoot."
"Well I couldn't sleep so I got up and started
to rend a book. My bell began to ring so I went
over nnd shut It off, picked up my revolver
nnd then I heard a groan so upon Invcsllgu "
"What ! You heard a groan."
"Yes"
"Follow me."
They went across the hall nnd Into a large
room, from there Into a smaller one and then
through n room about ten feet by ten feet and
Into a small hall like enclosure.
There upon the floor was the panther like man
Rnssel Towers laying dead with a knife wound
Just under the left nrm.
"Help me carry him to that little room," John
was asked.
Black Foot then went back and pressed a but
ten which caused the dead ninn to dlssnpear
through n Iran door but left the carpet on which
he wrs laying,
"You kIiii II except the position thnt the dead
man had once occupied."
"Me! nnd get slabbed In the ribs," answered
John, "I should guess not."
"You shall, ltememlier that murk on your arm."
"Oh! Well," said John. "If you insist why al
right." "Well." said Black Foot. "It's three o'clock
liC
mm
LEGlC'i WORKER IN CJ'.GtlESS
Hamilton F sh. Jr., One ef Wr teri cf
Preamble to Conttitut on, Ssel.t
Incrtuse :n Comperuat on.
I TV,e i,n amble
the Amerx-an I-1
(Copy t'tr ihi i'jpartmenl
the Amini-n I.-tnn Nw
Suir-'l4
S- rvli-f
IN ARMY AT THE AGE OF 14
f '.-.
7
Stephen S. Tillman cf Washoigton
Nov Sergeant-at-Arrr. of George
Washington Post.
Stephen S. Tillman. Wa-hitc'ton. P.
C, served as a private In the army dur
ing the World
war at the inaiiire
age of fourteen
years. He wns
regularly en!is!"d
and sworn in nnd
didn't have to lie
about his ni:e.
Just before be
went to the re
cruiting olli'v he
cut the nuinel'iils
"IV out of a cal
endar and pasted
them in the heels
of Ills shoes. When the recruiting of
floor asked him bow old lie uas, Till
man replied: "I'm over eighteen."
They swore him In.
Being a triile smaller than a regula
tion army rille, he was detailed as a
bugler. He went to the Mexican bor
der with his company, "B" of the Third
II. C. infuntry. Coining back from the
border its the I'uited States entered
the World war, he did guard duty
along Conduct road, Washington,
where several hundred attractive
young women were taking nn Intensive
training course. But he was only six
teen years old then.
Now he is sergeant nt anus of
George Washington l'ost No. 1 of I lie
American Legion, Washington, the
first Legion post organized. His fa
ther Is a retired cavalry olllcer.
Ian
m e n
the eohvni'iop o
n has been ca!!e j
one of tle sim
plest, nitsi effec
tive nnd beautiful
i ronoiincemeii's r.
the Kng'ish
guase
Three
wrote it in St.
Loui-. Mo.. In 101!'
and it never has
been, nor probably
never be.
changed. The men
were John l.reen
way of Arizona,
.ludce Pavis of Oregon ami Hamilton
Fish, Jr., of New York.
Mr. I Mi is now in congress help
lug to put Into effect the policies re
cited by the preamble he helped write,
lie has a bill pending to increase the
compensation from $'.'o to S-"d for the
nurses of blind, hgiess, armless and
totallv disabled ex soldiers, lie is an
ardent advocate of reclamation of land
through Irrii-at'on. to eticootae ex-servii-e
men to take up funning as a
vocation.
At Harvard he was captain of the
varsity football team. In France he
lei) a company of negro soldiers in the
Fifteenth New York Infantry nnd re
ceived the Croix de (iuerte for bravery.
jiUdYdlUUDi
1 n CQ ATI T
'IV:ii t,.-r
IwMe In:
f Knsi IM-ie in Ui Moody
n':i.t? Ch:aro
!,:.. Vt-ie:n N yP r I" men.
GETS FUNDS FOR CLUBHOUSE
THE TRAYLOR FAMILY HELPED
now and If you can't sleep, you may stand guard
the door off these rooms nt the hall doni let
anyone In Willi out notifying me. You do this
now and don't leave until I te'l you to which will
be about six thirty In the morning. Itemeiuber:
don't refuse to obey Instructions."
"Just as .you say," answered John and was
standing guard at the door In less than two min
utes. He was on gnurd but an hour when the silence
wits broken.
"I f I'm interupted many more times to-night
there will lie a few more dye before morning."
crnck crack crack "don't you yell or 1 will
cause your heart to stop heating with this knife,"
"crack crack."
John left the post nnd went to the door of the
little room ten feet by ten feet. He peeked
through the key hole.
There before his eyes wns Port by Curler takeing
a sound wlppiug from Black Foot whom bad a
whip !n one hand nnd a knife in the other.
"Black Foot," said John as he entered, "lay off
with that whip and drop that knife."
"You get to hell out o here and be quick about
It."
"Nothing doing."
The furniture was upsetting anil the rugs were
tore up within five minutes after they had en
gaged In a struggle. Back nnd forth they went
across the room. Black Foot with knife in hand
and Johns hand clasped on his wrist the whip
laying on the floor. John's hold was beginning
to slip when bur-r-r-r-r-r the bell started ringing.
Chapter II.
town in the police station at 4:20 am were
tl,n en, a millionaire dealer In real estate,
Mr. ilcnery Coglnn; eheif of police, Mr. King;
and a detective, Mr. Cole.
"Mr. Cole, last night," said mr King, "dis
hunilnr and I went into Mr. West-
mores residence and got evidence ns In Mr West
more uiakeing counterfeit money, therfor we have
resons to helelve that that Is where the money
vou have come from. Have you bud any business
with him lately?"
"No" replied Coglnn, "but I have had busi
ness with a close friend of his."
"Well Mr. Cole," said King, "don't you think thnt
It would he advisable for us three to lie going
before Westmore gets away? Have you the war
rant?" "You bet I have."
Thev were half way to Westmore's residence be
fore detective Cole broke the silence.
"By the wny Mr. Coglnn did you ever get track
f votir daughter?"
'No I haven't Mr. Cole."
"1 Isteii," cried King ns they stepped on the
front porch of the Westtnores house, "what's thnt
""Sounds like somebody Is havelng n quarrel,"
rep! It'll Coglnn.
"Thev nre In thlr. room here." snld the detec
tive as he followed the noise from the bell.
Theiv before them was John Bruce with his
bnnd filll 0,1 West mores wrist Just ns they had
stopped struggling. In the corner was Porthy
C.rter shaking with fright.
"What's all this noise about." demanded King.
Westmore you nre tinder nrrest for havelng In
your posesion counterefit money."
John was the first to speak.
"Whv this noise was caused by Black Foot nnd
t struggling to see wheather he should whip Miss
Carter" or not, with the whip you see laying on the
"""While your nt It oflicer." snld John, "You
might as well nrrest htm for the murder of Bus
sol Towers early this morning."
"Have you any proof."
"This trap ""re
"Oh! My daughter! My
daughter."
"I'ni.n! meet Mr. Bruce.
little while ago."
"Hello I my son! Hello!"
"Are you comelng Black Foot," cried John as he
walked with Porthy arm through his and her
other through Henery Coglons, her father.
Father, Mother, Four Sons and Two
Daughters in Uniform During
the World War.
When the old question of "who won
the war?" comes up, the Traylor fam
ily of Trenton,
Mo., m a y step
forward and ad
mit that they
'.iclped. The com
manding oflicer of
the family that
was 100 per cent
In active service
was the father,
W. S. Traylor,
rank private.
.Mr. T r a y 1 or,
his wife, four
sons and t w o
daughters were nJl in uniform
war was declared, Mr. Traylor closed
up his general store, donned the uni
form of a buck private In the quarter
master corps and did his bit well, de
spite his lifty-three years. Mother nnd
the sisters were on active duty with
the Bed Cross.
Of the four sons, Chnrlcs was. with
the Kighty-nintli division and was
woumled. Frank was an aviator. Or
ville served with the adjutant gen
eral's department and Boy was with
the Thirty-first railway engineers.
. , . fit
Spokane (Wath.) Girl, Pott Historian,
Successful in Procuring Cash for
Comrades' Headquarters.
When the legion post of Spokane.
Wash., needed help In raising funds
for n new club
house for the city,
it turned to a girl
holding the unin
spiring job of
post historian.
Miss Myrtle Wil
son thereupon
made and wrote
post history bv
securing pledges
amounting to as.
0i 10 for the club
house. In addition, to
writing history. Miss Wilson is adver
tising manager of the post newspaper,
nnd was a delegate to the Legion na
tional convention. During the war she
served in the navy nt the government
hospital in San Piego. Oil. In a popu
lar contest In the San Piego Legion
post she wus chosen queen without opposition.
WS1JBSiBi
v "
TRIES TO TRACE ARMY SLANG
"Doughboy," "I'll Tell the World" and
"Out of Luck," "Old Stuff," New
Yorker Says.
When
JUMPING BEANS FOR GIRLS
daughter! My dear
He saved my life a
Sick and Wounded Veterans in New
Mexico Hospitals Are Hungry
for Cheer Letters.
Trained to leap through hoops and
stand unhitched, thousands of genuine
Mexican Jumping beans are awaiting
girls of the I'uited States who will
write a little letter of cheer to a dis
abled soldier. The exchange of letters
for jumping beans is being made
through Herman O. Baca, Santa Fe,
N. M., adjutant of the American Le
gion of the slate.
Five thousand sick nnd wounded
veterans of the World war. recuperat
ing In hospitals in New Mexico, have
trained the beans. The young men
are terribly lonesome, Mr. Baca writes,
and they will semi a bean to every
girl who will write a letter to them.
The Jumping beans are dark hrovvn,
somewhat larger than the ordinary
bean. The animation of the vegetable
Is caused by a tiny worm that crawls
into the bean and consumes the edible
portion. After the worm Is dead, the
bean keeps on jumping.
If the American "doughboy" who
started "I'll lell the world" as a char
acteristic expression of the A. K. F.
took pride in having coined a new ex
pression he was "out of luck," accord
ing to Henry Pvvight, Yonkers, N. Y'
who has been trying to trace army
slang to its source.
In relating his uncertain success nnd
asking the assistance of the demobil
ized world at large, Mr. Pvvight de
clares that each of the three supposed
Innovations is time-worn.
Keforring to the expressions quoted
above, he claims that General Custer,
the Indian lighter, used "doughboy" In
letters to his wife, and that Arthur
Young, writer and traveler, announced
himself as being "out of luck" when
hunting for mail at Pijon, France, in
ITS!).
"I'll tell the world" remains tin
traced. It Is thought to he very old
nnd verification of this belief is now
sought.
Presidents as Military Men.
More than half of the presidents of
the Fulled States have held some mil
itary, rank, according to The American
Legion Weekly, of (he whole line of
twenty-eight presidents sixteen were
military men, and of the succession
following the Civil war Crant, Hayes,
Cm-Hold. Arthur nnd Harrison were
generals; Itoosevolt was a colonel and
McKlnley was a major.
5!- M
I Carrying On With the
American Legion
Hard Tasks of Orchid Hunter
An orchid hunter. M. Hanielln,
seeking rarities In Madagascar, found
that Ids only possible life Insurance
was to become "blood brother" to a
native chieftain. Incidentally, thl.i
process Involved the risk, If the blood
brother died, of the other having to
marry the dead man's wife and iake
charge of his entire family.
To find the plants Is one thing, to
carry them another. The plants are
wired to sticks nnd packed In boxes to
be curried to the coast. The worst risk
comes when the precious cargo hns
been put nbonrd ship. If stowed too
nenr the boilers or to sunlight, or If
not provided with suluelent air, every
plant will probably die.
Nor do the plnnts fetch ns much In
the wholesale market as might be ex
pected, unless definitely known to be
rarities.' The price, for Instance, of the
beautiful Odontoglossum Crlspum,
which comes from New Granada, Is
only about 80 per thousand.
The value of this orchid depends en
tirely upon the markings on Its petals.
Whlie a common white Crlspum Is
worth a shilling or two only, as much
as 800 guineas has been paid for a
plant with elaborately marked flowers.
It Is on record that n private col
lector bought an orchid from a firm of
growers for half a crown and when It
flowered and showed Itself to be a
new variety sold It back for 400.
Sport and Unsport.
"Whnt do you do when a professed
friend double-crosses you?"
"Nothing," replied Senator Sor
ghum. "Double-crossing Is like prize
fighting. Sooner or Inter the most con
fident performer finds thnt he hus met
more thnn his match."
Tire Firms In Country.
In the United States there are ap
proximately 1.000 firms manufacturing
annually 35,000,000 tires, valued at Jl,-000,000,000.
Unto the End.
"How's this?" asked the lawyer.
"You've named six bankers In your
will to be pail-hem e I'm. Of course, It's
nil right, but wouldn't you rather
choose some friends with whom you
are on better term?'
"No, Judge, that's nil right. Those
fellows have carried me for so long
they might as well finish the Job."
American Legion Weekly.
Government controlled institutions
are schooling ilO.lKK) former service
men and are directed by the veterans'
bureau.
"Legion Bark," named nfter the
local post In Bucyrus, O., contains a
tree in niemorr of the unknown dead
in the war.
Abraham Krotoshinsky, the "Lost
Battalion" messenger who was cited
for Ids deed, lias gone to Palestine to
accept an offered farm.
A building worth !f-Ti.(MK and n
pledge for SKlJMm for its renovation
have been given Lee C. Prentice post
of the American Legion by the people
of Fairmont, Minn.
Tweiil y-fotir lodgers were rescued
from the burning Y. M. C. A. at Somer
vllle, Mass,, by the American Legion,
which clothed and lodged tlicm In the
post's club.
The success of the Centralin (HI.)
post of (he American Legion Inst
summer in giving outdoor dances hns
led to a series of indoor dances for
the winter. The series Is sponsored
by the post.
City of Verdun Medal Approved.
Approval of the medal to be pre
sented the City of Verdun by the
United States has been given by Presi
dent Harding. Peslgned by John
Flanagan, New York, the obverse
shows two struggling giants and the
reverse depicts the city as seen
through Port Chaussee. "Bs ne pnsse
ront pus" Is on the one side. "From
the People of the United States to the
City of Verdun" on the other. It was
struck off at the Philadelphia mint
where government coins are made.
A year elapsed after George Held,
Montevideo,' Minn., was discharged
before his friends discovered that he
had the P. S C. Beid, an artillery
man of the Kainbow division, con
tinued to (ire his piece after being
wounded and routed the Germans.
A pulmotor has been added to the
equipment of the McMlnnvllle, Ore.,
fire department. The department hnd
pledged Itself ns security for a losn
when the American Legion post heard
of it. They turned over half their pro
ceeds from the Armistice Pay show.
Of the 1,'!R,000 men In the army, 18,
i)O0 nre officers, the American Legion
has learned. But the War department
explains that the reason Is that we
must have tin army which will mush
room overnight. In other words, there
ire seven men to each oflicer extant.
LESSON FOR JANUARY 29
ELIJAH IN NA30TH'S VINEYARD
I.KSSOX TKXT.-l Kings 3.1
liul.l'KN TEXT-He sure your sin m
had vo l oil-Sum. Sr -'3.
KK1 Klil.N. i: XATh'KlALr-Lev. I.3-:
Am. .3 4-a '.Mir.lt! 3 1-4
l'llIMAUr TuI'IC-The Kin of EelRsH-
llt CS
JIWIOK TUI'lC-Klijah Denounce!
Sfllisli KniK. ,,,
1XTEH.M KUIATE AND SKNIOR 101 IO
- J. hoviih's l lianipiun Kiurcd.
YUl'Mi PKOi'l.K AND AIl:LT TOPIC
-It K v.. ..rf It' cf uihcrs.
I. Ahab Covets Naboth's Vineyard
(vv. 1 OK
1. Locution of the vineyard (v. 1).
It j. lined Ahab's summer home ill Jez
reel. He wanted to transform it "lto
an herb B.udcn and thus round out
his property.
". Ahab's proposal (v. 2). He of
fered to buy it outright for money, or
give in exchange a better one. Ahab's
wish for it was a selfish whim. He
did not nt all need It.
3. Nabolh s refusal (v. 3). It was
for a tvv fold reason: (1) regard for
the paternal estate; ('.') obedience to
(iod's law (Lev. ".-i:."-JH, cf. Num. 30:
7 H). His refusal was on conscientious
grounds. A king, even, has uu right
to ask of his subject that he violate
his conscience.
4. Ahab's behavior (v. 4). He came
Into his house, lay down upon his bed
Bin! refused to eat. The king was
sulking like a sailed child. This is
a picture i f what a fool even a king,
may make of himself. Let us learu
that "godliness with contentment is
great gain" (1 Tim. G:G).
fi. Jezebel's Inquiry (vv. 5, C). Ap
parently she came vitli the sympa
thy of n wife, Inquiring ns to the
cause of his behavior. But when she
knew of Naboth's refusal she wus vi
olently angry. That a humble sub
ject should refuse to conform to the
desire of the king was uu insult which
she would not brook.
II. Ahab Taking Possession pf Na.
both's Vineyard (vv. 7-10).
1. Jezebel's treachery (vv, 7-15).
(1) Her contemptuous question (v.
7) She taunted him for his coward
ice. The fear of being thought weak
moves a weak man quickly. Scorn Is
powerful weapon in the nanus oi
unscrupulous persons. Many persons,
especially boys and young men, are
turned from the pathway of right
through the sneers of godless compan
ions. CJ) Hot iLhortation to Ahul)
(v. 7). "Arise, eat bread, and let
thine heart he merry." A wife has
great Influence over her husband.
Many a man hns been saved from dis
couragement and tnereiore ueieui,
through his wife's Influence. Unfor
tunately In this case the Influence of
the wife is bad. Bad women are In
many instances the devil's angels,
leading men from fhe path of virtue.
We should thank God for the uplift
ing influence of good women, but
should beware of evil women. (3
Her promise to Ahab (v. 7). "1 will
give thee the vineyard of Naboth."
She took matters jnto her own hands.
If Ahab was too vVoak to be king, she
would rule for him. (4) Her wicked
scheme (vv. 8-15). She wrote letters
In Ahab's name, sealed them with his
seal and sent them to the elders nnd
nobles who were dwelling in the city
with Naboth, asking them to proclaim
n fust, ns IhouL'li some great calamity
had befallen the nation, and place Na
both before the public as the one who
wns the cause of it all. They were
instructed to find two false witnesses
who would testify against Naboth.
The charge they brought according to
the wicked device of Jezebel was
blasphemy against Cod nnd the king.
Naboth's only offense was his refusal
to sell his estate, contrary to the law
of (iod. When they bud stoned to
death Naboth nnd his sons (II Kings
9:2G), they came nnd told Jezebel,
who In turn enme to Ahab with the
Information and directed him to take
possession of the vineyard.
2. Ahab goes to Jezreel to take pos
session of Naboth's vineyard (v. 1G).
Allah had not killed Naboth, but he
eagerly accepted the prize without In
quiring as to how it was secured.
III. Elijah in Naboth's Vineyard
Announcing Doom Upon Ahab (vv. 17
2(1). 1. Pooni upon Ahul) (vv. n-22).
Klijah told him the dogs should lick
his blood In the place where they
licked the blood of Naboth. Lvilwas
to full upon Ahab and his posterity,
even wipe out bis seed and name. He
was guilty of conspiracy, murder, rob
liery, perjury, blasphemy, though ho
had been silent and inactive. Cod
held blni responsible for Jezebel's nets,
for he was king and head of the na
tion. The day of reckoning did come
to Ahab (1 Kings 22:38).
2. Pooni upon Jezebel (vv. 23-2G).
Mie likewise should be eaten by dogs
by the wall of Jezreel. This wns lit
erally fulfilled (II Mugs U::-:ii).
'Be sure jour sin will find yon out."
IV. Ahab's Repentance (vv. 27'JO).
Beciiuse of this, (.iod promised to
withhold Judgment during his lifetime.
God's Standard of Measurement.
Iet us lay to heart Cod's standard
of measurement. He measures the
worshiper not by Inches, for then ptize
flghters might be the most important
liersotis in the kingdom ol Cod ; not
by rank, for then heaven would bo
full of kings and princes nnd lacking
In the common people to whom Jesus
belonged; not in wealth, for the poor
would indeed be miserable In this
world and the next. But He meas
ures the Christian by hs likenesft to
Jesus Christ. Measu.e by this liigh
standard, how small re even the most
spiritual of us. And yet, let us praise
'lod for the lofty ideal and the per-
ect life He bull) given, unto the world
n His beloved Son.