EVENING BD(BRr-BHmU3i3LPHIA; SATUBDAY SEPTEMBER 2& 1917 . "v;.'i bshb NgXT WEEK:THE BRAT," LYffIC; JOAN SAWYER, KEITH'S; "A ROYAL DIVORCE;" jf. - ' imii.yyw tlM.f.fSrfMiL TfflCT -&3J jJlvJjOM wii TsMMzML ycfim ji q- YtmIiiTiI I WHEN Bernard Bhaw was an obacuro lodger In Orub street playing piano ac companiments and criticizing art salons he noted an cvanescenco in the enjoyment of pictured Many years later lie chiseled this bit of philosophy Into a cynical epigram that seldom failed to provoke laughter and Inspire reflection whenever "Man and Super man"1 was 'staged. ,7n tho course of that till delicious cpnedy, John Tanner ob serves tna' a,wlfe. In the home, however attractive sho, may be, eventually excites no more special Interest than the very finest pletureijon the walls, however admirable they ,tre.. Domesticity may resent those flir.flant Shavian remarks, but art will have ahard time proving that familiarity docs iiot breed Indifference. Let the householder or apartment tenant consider how seldom oven the favorlto pic tures of his "living room" stir him with tho same Interest engendered when they were new. Ills retina but not his mind reglsteres their existence. Art collectors with man lion packed with masterpieces pursue their tafer hunt for new works. If satisfaction In tho old ones is unremitting why Is tho chase sustained? As with all good rules, there are of course exceptions to this one, but in the main there is nt least a modicum of truth In the proposition that tho charm of a picture In the ordinary home, prlvato museum, public gallery or on the stage somewhat fades with prolonged acquaint ance. Surely every art surfeited traveler realizes that brief visits to the Louvre or the Prado are best, lleturn engagements fo art shrines may be paid with delight. "It Is the length that kills," said Robert Louts' Stevenson once, in a different con nection. But tho verity of his observa tion has universality. . ALL this 1b by wny of prelude to second XX thoughts on the first night here of "Tho Willow Tree." The essence of that offering Is a beautiful picture. The fable presented is thin and reminiscent. Let whoever doubts this last reread his "Pygmalion and Galatea," The scenic picture claims our attention claims It too long. Com pressed Into one. or even two acts, tho trito ness of the plot machinery could lie con doned., Joy In so exquisite a setting Is in tense when the curtain rises. It Is dissi pated, Uko Interest In home art, as the eye's registration on tho Imagination grows weaker, with the passing hours. Kancy, declares a, writer whom the reckless Shaw has conscientiously sought to surpass. ., is engendered In the eyea. With gazing feds and fancy dies In the crude where It lies. There you have the whole theory In thrco lines. Obviously, John Tanner must have known his Shakespeare! "The Willow Treo" writers seem td have Ignored him, for had 1116 heeded his tip their product might have FAIRYLAND IS MADE REAL IN FILM PLAY "Jack and the Beanstalk" tuned to Spirit of Youth At- "Jack and the Beanstalk," a plcturlzatlon of this ancient and Immortal fairy tale by the William Fox forces, with Its delightful children. Its eight and a half foot giant, its castle and its walled city, built solely for this production, which represents an outlay of half. a million dollars, will be the unique attraction at the Arcadia next week. Though' the picture Is essentially for chil dren, grovn-up3 are likely to let go of their reserve toward the fairy world and mount the beanstalk heights of tho "make-believe" realm with the same degreo of spellbound Interest as the' youngsters. The story has been coupled up with a modern prologue and epilogue, showing how the two little tots, after listening to the tale of "Jack and the Beanstalk" told by their V nurse, set out to find the enchanted forest ana ran asleep in me wooas. Tne visualiza tion of their dream then ensues, constitut ing the st,ory pVoper, and later they are awakened by the parents' searching party. The prologue furnishes the spectator with delightful comedy and there are plenty of smiles throughout tho main story. They are caused by the little boys and girls made up and attired In adult fashion. They are said to be charming young, actors. Francis Car penter and Virginia Lee Corbln play the part of Jack and Princes Regina, respec tively. .Violet Radcllffe Is the villainous Prince 'and Carmqn Fay De Ruo the bearded King of Cornwall. J. G. Tarver, .who Is said to be eight feet six inches tall, is the giant. His bloodthirsty destruction of the village in Cornwall Is a feature of the picture". The photography was furnished by Frank Good. The directors are C. M. and 8. A, Franklin. Perm Theatre Eight Years Old The 'William Penn Theatre will next week celebrate Its eighth anniversary. When tho house opened Its doors eight years ago the management made the promise to the people of West Philadelphia that only a high grade of entertainment would be pre sented each week und the pledge has bc,en kept. This theatre was the first In the city to present the real headline vaude ville acts at p'opular prices. ' "WILLOW TREE" BLOSSOMS SKETCHED BY AN EVENING LEDGER ARTIST iSfiJSHS fckuL. M. - mHtr-'"Mt--i ,r iir'i Kd Mm ? , ' ''rWfci kiiMftiiilJik BOTH SIDES CURTAIN predous.f0tllBht BCm' Blna11 but lnnnltc,y ...!.' '."' ,et not thcso "lections be mis-1,-SSf d ns n"ythlnR e Inconsiderately . wm" broa,ll "f condemnation. The Willow Tree" has branches of beauty !..Rt IK unllkcJ' t" " rivaled on our stage this season. No Phlladelphfan with lor y Ideals of footllght nrt should omit a Jislt to the Oarrlck whllo the current bill Is proffered. The only pliy Is that not quite an the high alms of tho nuthors have been realized, for there are few playmakers ex tant that havo tho progress of tho theatre more sincerely nt heart than J. Harry Ben rlmo and Harrison Rhodes. rnHK former has a keen sense of situation J- and an Instinct for comedy which served him admirably in "The Gentleman From Mississippi," on which ho collalioratcd with Thomas A. WIrc. But "Benrlmo," as tho playbills tersely denomlnato him. Is a unique figure in stageland. Racially of Moorish blood, tracing his ancestral lino back to the picturesque "Casa Bomba" of Fez, he Is through training and experience an electrician, a stage director, a facile character actor, n playwright and an Orien talist, In tho last two aspects ho was delectably represented by that marvel of lmaglnatlvo dramas, "The Yellow Jacket," in the composition of which ho was a part ner of George C. Hazleton. In the lore of the old vanished Chinese San Francisco, Benrlmo was deeply versed. As a boy he visited Japan. Thero ho beheld tho graceful fountain of Nlkko. that is so effectively Imitated In "The Willow Tree" set, and began his acquaintance with tho fascinating domestic architecture so realistically reproduced In the present play. A few hours before "Tho Willow Treo' had Its premiere hero this week, tho writer found both Mr. Benrlmo and Mr. Rhodes busily engaged- In perfecting the allure ments or one of tho most enchanting scenes ever revealed In this locality. "This house," declared the senior play wright, as ho noiselessly slid forwnrd Its delightful paper doors, "Is, savo for the absence of a fourth wall, perfectly habit able. In fact, it Is not a stago house nt all, but a real oriental dwelling. In fash ioning this play," ho continued, "I have drawn upon my early memories, on the San Francisco chapters of mV Hfo and on my studies of Eastern subjects, which have been my hobby for many years. Natural ly there may be defects of oriental detail In the piece, but not, 1 believe, of Bplrlt. Many of my Japancso friends have assured mo of the atmospheric fidelity attained, something which these same experts failed to rind In portions of 'Madam Butterlly.' Above nil. they have appreciated our treatment of the Nipponese temperament, which I and they maintain has been so melodramatically mis represented In unfair, lurid plays like 'The Typhoon,' In which tho oriental characters are absurdly set forth as conspirators and spies. But you mustn't quote me," ho In terpolated, "as claiming that 'Tho Willow Tree' Is the first sensibly sympathetic oriental play. The- First Born.' with which I was associated some two decades ago, had the right flavor and so did Chester Bailey Fernald's 'The Cat and tho Cherub,' which held, tho stago at about the same period. "In a few days," he went on, ns he ma nipulated' his own special electrical appa ratus that Illumined tho flawjess sky background attained by flooding with lights a white canvas panorama, "I shall bid good by to this set on which I have expended so much time and labor. I am headed first for London, where I shall supervise tho English production of "The Willow Tree," and afterward I shall dip down to Madrid, where I shall stage the Spanish version of the piece, by Mendoza, who so admirably made tho Castlllan version of 'Tho Yellow Jacket,' which ran for several months In the .Span Wh capital. The date of liny home coming Is undecided. I havo learned much from Kuropean Btago directors, notably In Berlin and Moscow, and I Intend to survey the theatrical Held as thoroughly as is pos sible in wartime. "I can't say,"- he concluded, "that I am seriously afraid of the Atlantic crossing. One of thoso new 'unslnkable Hfo pre servers and a stailnch bottle of 'Dutch cour age' should assist me materially In con fronting tho tl-boat menace" "Goodby and good luck" closed tho Inter view. It was appropriately spoken, for by this time the gifted Amerlco-Moor should be several days out at sea. F "Tho Rescuing Angel " Bllllo Burke's numerous admirers seem to havo found her appeal unchanged by a two years' ab sence from the 'footlights, but unquestion ably she has previously had better vehicles for Us expression. Clare Hummer's play Is light and slender, but its airiness Is some times perilously near to simple vacuity. The sentimental passages appreciably handicap the evidently intentional whimsicality of tho piece. In proportion as they are differently keyed will the effect of tho unpretentious play be enhanced. Little remains to be said of Fred Stone in "Jack O'Lantern." A plethora of praise grows monotonous, and there Is not much save laudation that may fairly be written of this huge and hugely diverting extrava ganza. Not since 'The Red Mill" has the nimble star comedian been so happily placed. Never In his career has his fantastic art shone amid such resplendent surround-, Ings, such Intelligent stago direction and so lavishly kaleidoscopic an' exhibit of fun and beauty. J I. T. C. of the al-..uiMuwA.,..jj.s.w.....L.. u.,.....waaA xA j,,a , , lf r ,---n ,-. ,i-ai v ,- , ,. - '---' T:&5f The giant's lair in William Fox's THEATRICAL BAEDEKER FOR THE COMING WEEK Xi:V ATTRACTIONS LYRIC "The Brat," a comedy by Mnudo Fulton, who enacts tho title role. Tho play la said to present a touching study of a street waif. In the supporting cast aro Edmund Lowe, Percival T. Moore. Ruth Holt Bouclcault, John Flndlay. Frank Klngdon, Helen Stewart and Gertrude Maltluml. CONTINUING ATTRACTIONS aARl!WK"tha Willow Tree." a Japancso fantasy with exquisite stago pictures by Harry J. Benrlmo and Harrison Rhodes. Fay Balnter enacts tho leading rolo with compelling charm. Tho company Includes Malcolm Fassctt, Gcorgo W. Wilson and Harold De Becker. FORREST "Jack O' Lantern," resplendent extravaganza, with agllo Fred Stone in tho tltlo part. Tinkling muslo by Ivan Caryll. Superb stago direction betrays the expert hand of R. II. Burnslde. Tho production is one of tho emphatic suc cesses of the season. JillOAD "The Rescuing Angel," a light comedy by Claro Hummer, with Bllllo Burke portraying tho titular role. Among tho excellent actors In tho cast aro Frcd encK Perry, Robert McWade and Claude GlUlngwater. Staged by Robert Edmund Jones. ADELPHI "Tho Thirteenth Chair" con tinues its career of deserved succesA Bay ard Velller's mystery, play Is admirably acted by a cast headed by Margaret Wycherly and Including Harrison Hunter, Klleno Van Blcne, William David, Gcorgo Graham and Kaxono Morland. METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE "Tho Wanderer," Maurice V. Samuels' Biblical play, staged by David Bclasco and acted by a brilliant stellnr cast, is now an established Philadelphia success. Among the chief Interpreters of this elaborately staged offering are Nance O'Neil, James O'Neill, Charles Dalton, Sidney Herbert, Lionel Braham and Frederick Lewis. AT POPULAR PRICES WALNUT "A Royal livorce," a standard historical drama by W. G. Wills and G. G. Colllngham. Napoleon Bonnparto and Josephine are leading characters, the Kmpress of Franco being enacted by Uugenle Blair, star of the production. ORPilEUil "The White Feather," a. molo drama of tho great war, presenting nn ex citing contest between the secret servlco forces of Britain and Germany, will bo submitted by a capable cast. The play has won success In London and New York. FEATURE FILMS STANLEY "The Man From Painted Post," a new Artcraft picture, with Douglas Fairbanks in a role replete with breezy and muscular comedy situations. Assist ing film players uro Sam Brownwell, champion bucking bronco rider; John Judd, Tommy Grimes and II, A. Strick land. All cek. ARCADIA "Jack and the Beanstalk," n Fox film, presenting tho enlivening ad ventures of a favorite fairy tale hero. The production is said to have been made upon an exceedingly elaborate scale. All week. PALACE "Como Through." with Herbert RawllnRon and Alice LuBu, first half of week. "Rasputin, the Black Monk," a film THAT WONDERFUL BEANSTALK "Jack and tho Beanstalk" film, to be shown at the Arcadia, makes concrete the most delectable flights of childish fancy. drama dealing with events preceding the Russian revolution and introducing Mon tague Love and June Klvldgo in lending roles, latter halt of week. VICTORIA "Tho Whirlpool," with F.thel Barrymore, first half of week. "A Rich Man's Plaything," with Vnlcska Suratt, latter half of week. RECENT "Tho Spy." with Dustln Fnrnuni, Monday and Tuesday; "Their Compact." with Francis X. Bushman and .Beverly Ilayne, Wednesday and Thursday; "Tho Ghost-House." with Jack Plckford and Louise Huff, Friday and Saturday. STRAND Double-Crosscd." with Pauline Frederick, first half of week. "The Sun set Trail," with Vivian Martin, latter half of week. LOCUST 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," with Mary Plckford. All week. BELMONT Scssuo. Hayakawa In "Tho Bottlo Imp," Monday ami Tuesday; Mary Miles Mintcr, In "Her Country's Call," Wednesday and Thursday, and Kdna Goodrich, in "Queen X," Friday and Sat urday. VAUDEVILLE KEITH'S Joan Sawyer, In nn expert dis play of modern dancing; Fanny and Kitty Watson, Bert Leslie, In "Hogan In Mex ico" ; 151 Brendel and Flo Burt, Winston's Water Lions and Diving Nymphs, Rao Ulcanor Ball, violinist; Anna Ford and Gcorgo Goodrldge, Lamb nnd Morton and motion pictures of "Tho Retreat of tho Germans nt tho Battle of Arras." QLORE "Texas" Ritchie and company. In nn exhlbltlou of strength feats; "Tho Bachelor Dinner," a musical playlet; Johnny Neff. musician; Hans Robert and company, Jones and Granley, the Wal thour Trio, Jnck Marley, Harry and Augusta Turpln and Pamahaska's Pets. "WILLIAM PENN Kitty Francis and com pany, la a revue entitled "Ambition" ; Schwartz Brothers, In "The Broken Mir ror"; George W. Barry and Maude Wol ford, Hendricks and Padula and "The Moth," with Norma Talmadge, photo play, first half of week, "Tho Foolish Factory," William Grew, tho Tannean Brothers, Cook and Rothncr and "Their Compact," photoplay. EMPRESS "Going to the Wedding." with Edmunds and Lecdham; Charles Horn and company, Bradley and Ormonde and "In Again, Out Again." first half of week. "Poor John," a musical act; Calm and Bonn, Georgia Comedy Four, Husko and May, latter half of week. CROSS KEYS "Lovo In the Suburbs," a playlet; Billy McDermott, "Forward March," musical farce; McCloud and Carp, first half of week. "Marriage Bliss." tabloid musical play ''Peters and Glllon, Charles Horn, Plelson and Goidl, Norrls and Ormonde, Three Bartos, lat ter half of week. MISS' CORAUUM.VWE 4$ Hi 9rcr Sinr CASTLE IIROADWAY "Every Woman's Problem," with Phyllis Glllmoro and company ; "Wedding Hells," musical comedy; Eddlo Borden and Sir James Dwyer, Georgia Comedy Four and "The Spy," with Dustln Farnum. photoplay; first half of week. Kitty Francis. In "Ambition" ; Hale and Noreross, McClellan and Carp, Pepper Trio, "Tho Silent Sellers," photoplay, last haif of week. COLONIAL Mullon and Coogan, Farrell Taylor Trio, Beatrice Diamond, -Threo Hlckoy Brothers, Allison, comedian; tho Schmettans nnd "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," photoplay. A7A0.V Garry McGarry, in "The Garden of Aloha"; Stanley and Burns, Skipper and Calstrup, Six Youngsters and "North of Fifty-Throe," photoplay, with Dustln l-Ei-num. URAND Will Oakland nnd company, In a singing specialty entitled "Danny O'ail, U. S. A." ; Morris and Campbell, In "Tho ivc-ato-or"; Moudo Ryan, comedlenno; Knmazawa Boys, Japanese equilibrists; Cooney Sisters, Bert arid Lottie Walton. BURLESQUE CASINO Molllo Williams nnd company, In a burletta In two parts, respectively en titled "A Day at Atlantic City" and "Tho Bollo of tho Cabaret." Numerous spe cialties will bo Introduced by a cast that includes Billy Mclntyre, Earl Shcchan and May Sheridan. TROCADERO "Tho French Follies' " com pany. In a melange of music and fun mnklng. Lena Daley nnd Harry Fields aro the leading entertainers. Attractive dancing acts will bo special features. COMING ATTRACTIONS OCTOBER S. ISROAD Barrle'B "A Kiss for Cinderella," with Maud Adams. OARRICK "Cheating Cheaters." KEITH'S Crcssy and Dayne, Els and French, Hans Krouold. OCTOBER IS. FORREST "The Grass. Widow." KEITH'S Luclllo Cavanagh, Charles Grapewln. OCTOBER !0. OARRICK "The Boomerang." FORREST Zlcgflcld Follies." NOVEMBER 10. BROAD "Captain Kidd, Jr." NIMBLE ALIKE IN DANCING AND DRAMA Maude Fulton, Author of "The Brat," Used to Tango in Vaudeville Maude Fulton, author of "The Brat," which will be the Lyric's opening bill on Monday night, was solccted for tho tltlo part quite by accident. It was during the tour of the popular dancing team of Rock and Fulton that Miss Fulton conceived the Idea of writing a play. Up to this time she and Mr. Rock had been partners in an act which had toured the country for years and ylilch made them a much sought-after vaudeville team on the Keith circuit. When her play was completed she cast about for a producing manager. It hap pened that Miss Fulton was In California at the time, in tict. she wroto her play while in the West. She naturally called on Oliver Morosco, who Is the only theatrical producing manager the West lias and who Is located In Los Angeles. Miss Fulton submitted tho manuscript of "The Brat" and Mr. Morosco accepted it with the understanding that he would give her an answer as to Its merits or demerits within a very short time. Mr. Morosco immediately read the script and was so impressed with it that he read It a becond time. In reading over the play he could map out the characters and the performers that he would liko to cast In the play all except the part of the "Brat." He corresponded with Miss Fulton and re quested an Interview. On her way down Broadway in Los Angeles Miss Fulton met the manager, and as they were going toward his ofllces pnd theatre a little urchin yelled, "There goes the brat I" She turned around, and much to her amazement beheld the same dirty-faced "kid" she had found fighting with a "brat" some months before an incident which had given her the Idea for her play. Miss Fulton ex plained the circumstances to Mr. Morosco, whereupon he said, "That saino boy has tipped me oft as tot the incumbent of the title role, she must be Maude Fulton '." Miss Fulton was taken unawares, as she had never dreamed of playing the part of the "Brat," but after much persuasion on the part of Mr. Morosco she concluded to create the character in reality, as well as words, provided Mr, Morosco would produce the play within the next two months. This arrangement was readily agreed to. "The Brat" was produced for the first time on any stage at the Morosco Theatre In Los Angeles three weeks later, and Miss Fulton made the hit of the piece. Her perform ance was acclaimed by all the Los Angeles papers as extrabrdlnary, as it was the first straight . comeuy work that Miss Fulton had ever done during her stage career. The long New York run of the plcoe Is now stage history. JLyi The Wanderer By WILLIAM A. PAGE NovtlUtd from the ptau of Maurice V. Bamvtlt, at tht 3efropolltait Optra lloutt (Copyright by William BUtott, V. nay Com stock and Morris Celt.) BTN0PSI8 OP rilECEDINO CHAPTEnS. Jethrr. the son of Jeioe and Huldfth, of the trlba or Judah, durinir the time of Klnr Solo mon, IWuu yra aco. la unhappy at home, whtrn ho la n ahrpherd boy. lf forma a frlxndahlp with Toln, and on the lattrr'a ad vice rruada hla father to tva hlra hl por tion of tha paternal ratate. Then ho and Tola art out fur Jaruaalem, whero they go to tho house of Nadlna. who Klvra him her daughter Tlaha aa a handmaiden. They quarrel over a necklace Tlaha dealrea, which Jether refutes to buy. Nadlna chides Tlahn, telling her that Jether holda her cheaply. Tlahn vowa to be revenged, and when Jether la haif Intoxicated ahe prevalla upon him to forawear the Clod of Inrael and proclaim alleglanco to Iahtar, the Ilnbylonlun god of love. Then a company of her friends arrive und they plunge Into revelry. Hoon afterword Tharla, a rich tea captain, la Introduced to Tlaha by her mother. To Jether's dlamay, the girl quickly ahowa par tiality for the newcomer and agreea to go with hint on u voyage. All hla money cone, and hopo of setting more la lost. CHAPTER XIX THE Infuriated Nadlna, her face distorted with rage, plucked the golden chain worn by Jether mound his neck nnd tore it from him. "Who nrt thou that should wear a golden chain when thou dost owo me for much good food and wine?" she cried, "Thou shalt be my slave, and work." Jether looked at her plteously. "Work? What Is there hero that I can do? What do I know of work done in tho city? Oh, thou city, thou hast taken from Ihu all that I had nnd mado mo what I tun Curso thee, city." Nadlna sneered. "And I curso thee for all my misfortunes," sho cried, nngrlly. "Thlnkest thou that thou nrt tho first young fool to loso all In tho big city? No, nor wilt thou be the last, for sooner or later the city doth attract all who seek famo nnd fortune But what hast thou lost compared with mo?" Carried away by her emotions, Nadlna continued wildly: "I had a daughter that brought me much -ealth. Now Pharls tho sea captain hath carried her away and paid me not a single shekel. On thee I havo lost the price of much good wine. Already I have thy golden chain, but now thou wilt pay me witli thy robo, thy golden sandals, every thing. They'll sell for something. Glvo mo this and this and this." With ono strong grasp sho pulled the rich embroidered cloak from ills shoulders, and with a push sent tho boy headlong upon n, .nass of soft silken cushions. With an other grasp sho pulled tho boy's tunic from htm. Another talon-like clutch took oft first ono sandal and then another, and there Jether lay in his nakedness, with only a. loin cloth to protect him. "Tako them, thou heart of stone," mur mured tho boy, as ono after unother tho garments were stripped from him. "Thy ring," demanded Nadlna. But Jether clenched ills list firmly. "Nay, that thou shalt not have. It was my mother's, and sho placed It there." Nadlna leaned over the prostrato flguro and jeered. "The ring Is worn so thin I caro not Now, get out of my house go forth a beg gar and beg thy way back to thy father's home, thou fool," sho cried, taking tho bundle of garments into the house. And Jether, his heart filled to overflowing with romorse and penitence, cried out to God for mercy. Almost as though In answer to his prayer came the dull rumbling of thunder. A sud den tropic storm, gathering force and In tensity, had come upon Jerusalem without warning. A blinding flash of lightning, a terrific cragh of thunder, brought Jether to his feet Another crash of thunder and another blinding flash came with tho rain a terrific downpour, which beat with fury upon his baro Bkln. He sought for shelter hut there was none except the house of Nadlna. Jether staggered blindly toward tho house, only to havo his way barred by n giant Nubian slave, who Btood within the doorway and motioned him back into the storm. Ho went to tho idol of Ishtar, ns though to seek shelter from the storm beneath the ultar but drew back Instinctively. Meanwhile tho rain and tho storm In creased In Intensity, and a .blinding flash of lightning revealed to Jether the im pressive flguro of tho prophet, who haa called down woe on the house, standing be neath the shelter of the arched gateway. Tho proihet's long hair was wet with rain, his white beard was swept by the wind, and he seemed a gaunt, wild, half starved figure. The man raised his staff into tho air. "Fare thco forth, my son," he said, com mandlngly, yet kindly. "Naked thy mother brought thee Into tho world. Y'et the Lora God watched over thee. Naked this woman sends thee Into tho storm. Will not the Lora God save thee?" Jether shivered in the storm and shrank back before tho holy man. "Ills sword hangs over me, for I have sinned, and this is my punishment," he fal tered. "What hast thou done to Invite His wrath?" cried the prophet as the storm Increased in violence and another flash oi lightning rent the sky. "I have denied Him," sobbed Jether, hys terically, "Thou hast denied thy God?" thundered the prophet. "Then behold his nnger." He waved his staff. At the same mo ment n giant ball of fire seemed to rend asunder the very garden In which they stood. A terrific flash of light blinded Jether. and the crash of thunder seemed to shatter his eardrums. He turned just as he realized that the shaft of lightning had struck the Idol of Ishtar and In one burst of flame had destroyed the thing or stone and wood which the ldo!aterst Baby lon had worshiped in the place of the one and only God. Jether, with a cry of terror, fell upon hla knees and reached out his arms supplt catlngly toward heaven, "X know His wrath," he cried, plteously. I ''A beggar and In rsgs, M s ' ? c v iH. v wk iLF' agLPsVyTjiHKaaiHvliiilaiLPLft Vowt V -t , M. ct' a ?W .. s "I have sinned and I am guilty. f orglvel" The fury of the storm Increased, J It the bora terror. He uurlea t upon the ground aa he lay prostraU gave one long agonized cryi "Mother I" And In the distance, through the high alive tha fury nf th'ei winds M crashing of the thunder, could be h4'j Inspired voice of tho prophet as. lie. ' wildly: "A doom upon the city a doom upa.ttl , city. God's wrath upon those who wnAlH ' i Vila hla.oti uiiHKcn uuu a wiaiu lu BBBnnai t yo nil, sinners nnd Idolaters, ye who MMt fa tho living God. A doom upon ye all.w ,, ,t CHAPTER XX IN THE house of Jcsso all was &diiaaV Hutdah camo and wont, but her baaut and her thoughts were elsewhere. Narunt worked upon her embroidery and did ttm usual household tasks with tha aaslstaaaat of tho faithful Rlssah, but there waa subdued atmosphere In the household Wtttr never a sound of laughter or gayety. Stern old Jesse never once mentioned the abotni son, nnd it was an understood thing be tween the three women never to even attvoV to tho erring Jether In tho presence eC tat) aged patriarch. Only Gaal dared to speak of Jether, M ho only once, for the remark called ferOk thcso words from Jcsso: "I have but one son now, Gaal, Mai thou art he. The boy whom once we lovW. la dead speak nover of the dead." Yet even Jesse was not able to banlak entirely thoughts of the absent boy, whtefc ,. camo to him over with the fall of night, for ono day he came to Gaal in great excite ment and said: ,' "On tho way from Hebron I met a mim on the roadside who said a stranger in the village had passed with tidings of our Jether." - "Our Jether?" repeated Gaal, scornfully. "What tidings?" . "I know not," replied Jesse, Borrow-fully. "I havo sent a messenger to try and over take the stranger and ask him for naws , of Jether In Jerusalem, but I know not It " my message reached him." 'Then come thou Into the house and .rest, my father. Thou are much wearied." "Nay, If the stranger comes with tidlng of Jether," answered Jesse, "I must await him here." Gaal endeavored to persuade his father' to re-enter tho house and let him deal with ' the stranger, for he feared wliat the tidings might bo and he wished to lwaw them first "Let me await tho stranger, father. Per haps his tale Is one of lies to gain a gift from thee. Let him meet my questioning." Jesse gazed at him searchlngly. "Is mlno understanding no longer Clear? Say naught unto thy mother. Much as l hope I have been taught to meet calmly with disappointment I will go within to thy mother, but if the stranger comes Bend for inc." And, though Gaal promised to do so, he . promised himself that ho would forthwith stroll down the road toward Hebron In an effort to And the stranger and bid him con tinue on his journey without visiting the, house of Jesse. Beforo Gaal could go far his avaricious eyes detected several bits of wool upen newby brambles In the fields, where shen had strayed and thorns had torn their wooU j Thus it happened that as Gaal stepped oM side In the gathering dusk he did net notto a figure clad In rags and sackcloth, with & mero piece of hemp tied around the waist, in place of a girdle, and leaning, heavHy upon a staff, pass along the road toward the hills whlfh overlooked the hospitable home of Jesse. The newcomer appeared to be the veriest beggar clad in the least garments whloU possibly clotho a human being. The sandatat ' upon his feet were fragments of leather. His hair was long and mattod, his fa covered with dirt and grime and upon' hta legs were many scratches and sores. i could scarcely stand, yet with faltering steps he gained the eminence overlooking the home of Jesse, and sighed with relir.i Yet there was pain in the sigh also. ' ' The beggar came closer to the hpuse an .. slowly descended the hill. He paused when.' but a stone's throw away and sank upoa a. rock, wearied to exhaustion. "How still it isl" he murmured. "As If death were about or Is it peace? In thoa$ days of famine upon the land, when many are starving, is it possible here, too; they suffer? .And yet. while I hunger, I fear to go forward. Should father see me , I could not face the fire In his eyes. Or are those eyes forever closed In sleep an4 Is my brother Gaal now the master here And my mother does she still live and ait with sad eyes looking at the place wbart I was wont to sit at table? And gentle Naomi Is she perchance now the wife of Gaal? I dread to go forward and find out the truth, yet If I turn back now I shalt starve. But could I but-see my mother from afar, only for a moment, secretly, so that. she might not know I There they all sta and eat, no doubt, even the mealiest, servant, whllo I would grasp at what thr would throw to..the dogs. But I may not ask. I will but see my mother once arr then go back to the wandering, to the chill- Ing nights beneath the open skic and' t tne nungry nays or outer roaming wnrw K lamine ragetn. jsacit to tms ana on omr ,y: until I tan ana let tne oust blow over nt. Bt, O God, let me oiice see my mother" face !" : The wanderer arose, and slowly and pain fully made his way toward the he-tie. From within came the lights which. Jflall cated that the evening meal was about to begin. By the well the wanderer dropped from exhaustion just as lie waa about to soqthe his parched lips with a drlnfc of cooling water. And so Rlssah, coming to the well, found him. 'Thou poor old man," exclaimed Rlssah. "'Wouldst drink?" Jether nodded. She filled a cup and h' drank feverishly. "Hast traveled far?" she Inquired. "Aye. far." "'And thou art a beggar?" ' ,?, S1 jyvt o uc(tui j t7 'Tnen it nas rarea nara .witn tnee, where. I have heard only near liebroa hath there been abundant harvest, Klee where from Dan down to Bcersheba there ta' famine." "Aye, famine." , "And thou, poor beggar? . Kven If the wouldst work, what cc-uldst thou do, who ; nrt old and weak? Thy plight shguldmeet I am sorry." ail4 tfaomi.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers