'P*.»r^;.% 9. *" . 0^ *-^;4j, '^o. iOr*. .7* .A, « A. >• * "•^^ ^^ '"' ^'^^C.^' .tf*- 'o, -. . . • A <. o > ^°-^^. 0^ O -o.» THE STORY OF JOSEPH By ELLEN THOMPSON With Illustrations by Eva M. Truesdell THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS T5 3r3 7 .was 7 Copyright, 1911 The C. M. Clark Publishing Co. Boston, Massachusetts CCI.AS12I0S THE STORY OF JOSEPH There was a man of ancient Bible fame Whom all called Jacob till God changed his name, And Israel then was he, of Canaan fair, A man respected much both far and near. Twelve lusty boys he had, and I shall tell Their names, although I cannot rhyme them well: Dan, Asher, Reuben, Gad, and Zebu- lun — You see there's not a rhyme in any one — Another son was known as Naphtali, (You can pronounce his name if you but try) 1 The Story of Joseph Then Levi, Simeon, and Judah, who Were huntsmen bold, and trusty shepherds, too. And Issacher and Benjamin, the rest. With Joseph whom the father loved the best. Now Jacob was a man both kind and good, Who cherished each one as a parent should. But Joseph was the youngest, and we 're told That he was born when Jacob had grown old. And so a coat he made of every hue, 'Twas green, and red, and gold, and purple, too. Then jealousy each brother's heart possessed. And bitter hatred gave their souls no rest. 3 The Story of Joseph The Lord was reverenced by this little lad, Who clung unto the good and shunned the bad, His heart was with his God, he prospered well, And though they wished him harm no ill befell. The bo3^ had dreamed full many a golden dream, Through which his future glorious did gleam; And when he told these to them o'er and o'er The older brothers hated him the more. The first dream showed awhile the harvest yield. His brothers' sheaves and his within the field; But Joseph's sheaf arose and up- right stayed. While all the other sheaves obeisance made. 5 ml The Story of Joseph Within the second dream he was the one To whom bowed down the stars, the moon, the sim. His story even gave his father pain — He bade him not to mention it again. Now Israel dwelt within the Hebron land, And flocks and herds had he on every hand; They'd cropped each blade of grass for miles around, And other pasture for them must be found. So into Shechem with the flocks to roam Ten brothers went; the others stayed at home. Some time passed by, and Jacob wished to know If each was well; for oh! he loved them so. 7 ^^''^—— — -^ i^ - - '--^-^- '■ • ^\ The Story of Joseph He said to Joseph, " Go, my son, and see How fare the lads, and bring the news to me. So Joseph, always quick to do his part. Went on his way with glad and merry heart. Methinks he sang a happy little song, As o'er the lonely roads he trudged along; . , . ,.. A bundle of good thmgs his arms did fill To show the brothers they were cherished still. The vale of Shechem fertile was and blest With pastures of the greenest and the best. Far to the north of Hebron fair it lay Full sixty miles — a long and weary way. 9 10 The Story of Joseph When Joseph reached the place he looked around, But neither flocks nor brothers could be found. But after wandering there he met a man Who said that all had left for far Dothan. This place was fully twenty miles away, And it must then have been near close of day; Let's hope the good man kept them all the night. And started him again by morning hght. But this is true — and be that as it may— The Lord was with young Joseph all the way ; And though alone upon the ground he slept The angels watched; the Lord his slumber kept. 11 12 The Story of Joseph Afar the elder brothers saw him come. And knew the coat that had been made at home. Then hatred stirred their hearts and made them small. So that they held no love for him at all. "There comes that dreamer," one said to another, "Let's cast him deep in some dark pit to smother." So plotted they to kill him, giving vent To evil passions which their spirits rent. Then quick they laid their hands upon the lad, But Reuben sprang up and the rest forbade. "Shed no blood, brethren, I im- plore," he said, "But put him in this loathsome pit instead. " 13 14 The Story of Joseph He hoped that later some good chance would come When he could free the boy and send him home. So off they stripped the lovely coat he wore, Though Joseph cried and begged as ne'er before; And while his soul was filled with deep despair They cast him in a pit and left him there. And, when they'd killed a kid, with- in the gore They dipped the coat that once young Joseph wore; And to his father they the garment sent, Declaring that wild beasts the lad had rent. Then down they sat to eat some bread near by. When lo! a band of IshmaeHtes drew nigh. 15 16 The Story of Joseph The brothers knew these men brought things to sell. So Judah formed a scheme that pleased them well; "Let's trade the boy," he cried, "and make some gain, 'Twill better be than that he should be slain." So to the men they quick the offer made. And twenty silver bits the merchants paid. We know to leave the pit the boy was glad; But oh! his youthful heart was torn and sad ; The sins of all his brethren made him sore. But — more than all — he'd see his home no more. Now Reuben had a heart both good and kind. And kept the plight of Joseph in his mind; 17 18 The Story of Joseph The cruel story he had not been told, For he was absent when the boy was sold. Then to the pit in anxious haste he hied, Called Joseph loudly, but no voice replied. His grief was great, and quick his clothes he rent, "The child is not!" he cried, and made lament. But when he learned the truth he thought it well To tell his father nought of what befell. Then home all went pretending sor- row sore. In grief that they should see the lad no more. Their father's tears were pitiful to see. They sought to comfort, but it could not be. 19 ^20 The Story of Joseph He said for Joseph all his days he'd mourn, For he had been his pride, his young- est born. Now many years went by, and Joseph rose Sturdy and strong, triumphant o*er his foes. The merchantmen had gone to Egypt fair. To make a bargain with the traders there; And sure enough, they did not find it hard To sell him to the chief of Pharaoh's guard. A servant there, but one beloved he grew — His work well done he proved a treasure true. To Potiphar he then became so dear He placed him o'er his house as overseer. 21 22 The Story of Joseph But evil tongues did work him harm at last And Joseph in a prison cell was cast. Within this dungeon Pharaoh's pris- oners lay Fettered, and worn with pain and fear each day; These to his care the prison-keeper gave — For some were mighty oflBcers, and brave. One was a man in the king's house- hold great, Another supervised the things he ate. They for some cause had ceased the king to please — The chief of butlers and of bakers these. Now each man dreamed a dream the selfsame night, And when the morning dawned they sought for light 23 24 The Story of Joseph To show them what the meaning deep could be — For dreams had meanings in those days, you see. When Joseph went that morning^ on his round To tend the captives who with chains were bound, He noticed that these men were filled with dread; "Why do ye look so sad, my friends?" he said. The butler thereupon told all his woe: A grape-vine he had seen before him grow; Three branches from the stem were spreading wide. They bloomed, and grapes were seen on every side. "I pressed the grapes," said he, ''in Pharaoh's cup, The beverage gave to him; he drank it up." 25 : > .i i»y \.. n. ii .n .i .1 26 The Story of Joseph Joseph at once did understand the dream, "Three days, " said he, "Hke budding branches seem; Within that time thy sorrows all shall cease, And from the prison thou shalt go in peace; And, as of old, thou shalt before him stand And Pharaoh's cup dehver in his hand. Then think of Joseph when 'tis well with thee. And call the king's attention unto me. Please mention that I'm here with- out a cause, And that I 've always reverenced the laws; Tell him that I was stolen away and sold, And that I dwelt at Hebron fair of old." 27 28 The Story of Joseph Encouraged was the baker, so he said, "I had three baskets piled upon my head; The top one held for Pharaoh bake- meats sweet, And all the birds that are flew down to eat. " Then Joseph's voice in bitter sorrow spoke, "Three days," he said, "will bring to thee a rope; Thou shalt be hanged upon a spread- ing tree. And all the birds shall pick the flesh from thee. " The third day was the birthday of the king. When noble courtiers gifts to him would bring. For all his servants then he made a feast. And bade them come, the greatest to the least; 29 30 The Story of Joseph And in the midst of this festiv- ity He ordered that the butler should be free; But the poor baker he condemned to die By hanging to a tree 'twixt earth and sky. And 'twas the butler's joy again to stand To give the goblet into Pharaoh's hand. The man thus re-estabhshed in his place Forgot entirely poor Joseph's case. Two weary years for Joseph passed away. And Pharaoh, dreaming of the Nile one day, Saw out of it come seven favored kine Which fed within a meadow fair and fine. 31 32 The Story of Joseph And then came seven more, thin as could be, And all the rest devoured greedily. But though they ate them up both one and all. Yet as before they still were thin and small. He woke, and then again he slept and dreamed ; Seven ears of corn upon one stalk there seemed; And full and fine and beautiful were these. That ev'n the most fastidious would please. Then seven others, blasted, poor, they grew. And quickly swallowed up the good ones, too. When morning dawned the king was filled with fear And sought the magi great both far and near; 34 The Story of Joseph Wise men, they were yet could not show the king If good or evil luck the dreams would bring. A vision then of Joseph seemed to rise Reproachfully before the butler's eyes; So that he told the king how Joseph knew The prison dreams, and how they both came true. Then Pharaoh sent at once and bade them bring The young man from the dungeon to the king. When Joseph heard he said, " 'Tis not in me. But in Jehovah shall thine answer be; The dreams are one, and in them thou shalt see How God, the great King, rules this land and thee. 35 The Story of Joseph The seven goodly kine and growing ears Of corn are seven rich and prosper- ous years; The kine and corn that grew ill-fed and thin Are seven more that usher famine in. Prepare thy realm, appoint a man this day To gather in a harvest while he may; Lay up rich store of wine and bread and meat. So that when famine comes all men may eat. " Then Pharaoh said, "To thee my men shall bow. None but myself shall greater be than thou. I make thee ruler over all the land. The keys of state I give into thy hand." 37 38 The Story of Joseph On Joseph's finger then a ring he placed Which once the monarch 's own royal hand had graced; And round his neck a golden^^chain he threw, And gave him linen garments rich and new. At thirty years of age thus Joseph stood In Egypt's land, a ruler strong and good. The years of peace and plenty quick- ly passed, And bitter famine gripped the land at last; And every country felt its power sore. Yet Egypt was well filled with goodly store ; On Hebron, too, the ghastly famine lay, And Egypt sold her food day after day. 39 40 The Story of Joseph Ten men from Canaan at the last did come — And this, you know, was Joseph's boyhood home — And 'mongst the slaves they roamed from place to place, In hopes that there they might see Joseph's face. For these his wicked brethren were who sold The lad mito the merchantmen of old. But Joseph was the governor of the land. And he himself sold corn on every hand; His brothers came and made obei- sance all. By which his olden dreams he did recall. And once again he saw his sheaf stand high; While those of all his brothers bowed near by. 41 42 The Story of Joseph He thought it well they should be left in doubt Of who he was, so he could draw them out. That he was angry then he made pretence, And called them spies and rogues, and bade them hence. "We are no spies," they said, "but came to buy Food for our starving people who must die If thou dost not have mercy; we implore Thou sell us corn from thine abun- dant store." "Nay," Joseph said, "ye are both false and bad. " "Twelve sons," they cried, "are all our father had; The youngest one's no more, and one is home. " Said he, "Ye shall not go until he come. " 44 The Story of Joseph So three long days they were in prison cast; But Joseph called them all to him at last. And bade that one should stay as hostage good, While all the rest to Canaan should bear food. "Return," he told them, "with your brother, too, 'Tis only thus I'll know that ye are true. " For much he longed young Benjamin to see, Since as a boy he'd loved him ten- derly. Now Joseph had a man interpret well His brothers' speech, so that they could not tell That he could understand what they might say To one another when they talked each day. 45 46 The Story of Joseph One said, '*We guilty are in that we sold Our brother to the merchantmen of old; And after all these years we find our sin A sore and bitter harvest gathers in." Then Reuben spake, "Did I not say to you, Harm not the child, whatever ye may do? But ye would not at any time give ear, And now his blood's required of us here. " When Joseph heard he turned away and wept, Sent nine away, but Simeon he kept; And each man's money which for corn they paid Again within the sack of grain he laid. 47 48 The Story of Joseph Now when each found the coin it brought him grief For fear he should be branded as a thief. When Jacob learned that Simeon had stayed His other sons he soundly did up- braid, Declared that Benjamin they should not take — If he were lost the father's heart would break. Then Reuben promised, "My two sons shall be Security; I'll take the lad with me." And now the famine fierce and fiercer grew, So that old Jacob knew not what to do. "To Egypt go, some food again to buy. Her sunny land will all our wants supply. " 49 50 The Story of Joseph So spake he then, but Judah answered plain, "The ruler told us not to come again Unless we brought our younger broth- er there — Alas! our woe is more than we can bear. " Again said Judah, "Let us now be gone; Thou seest how the day is wearing on. If I bring Benjamin not back to thee Eternal shame and blame may rest on me. " At last poor Jacob gave a slow consent, And quick down Egypt 's tedious way they went; They took some honey, myrrh, and spice, and balm. In hopes that such a gift would keep from harm 51 52 The Story of Joseph The brothers who as hostages should be. For aught thev knew, kept in captiv- ^^ hen Joseph saw that Benjamin had come His heart was filled with joy; and to his home He bade his steward take all his brothers then And entertain them there like royal men. Now Joseph loved a daughter of the king And on her hand had placed the marriage ring; And when her husband's brothers now she knew She did her best to make them happy, too. But thinking of their sin of long ago They were afraid, and wanted hence to go. 53 f54> \ The Story of Joseph They showed the steward the money in each sack, And said they'd brought it all, and more, too, back. When Joseph came the present there he found, And all his brothers bowing to the ground. He took the gift, and sadly then he said, "Is Jacob, the old man, alive or dead.?" When of his father's welfare he was told He turned to Benjamin beloved of old, And said, "The Lord be gracious unto thee — " Then left the room and wept most bitterly. When he was quieted he washed his face. And sat at meat with them with cheerful grace ; 55 56 The Story of Joseph And much they marvelled when they saw that they Each by his age at table sat that day. Then Joseph told the steward to fill with corn Each bag, for them to carry home at morn; And all the money which for this they'd paid, He bade within the sack's mouth should be laid. Said he, "When you the youngest one's fill up Don't fail to place in that my silver cup. When morning dawned, for Canaan they set out; But Joseph's steward went running thereabout. He asked them, "Is it thus that ye repay The governor, and steal his cup away?" 57 58 The Stmy of Joseph They swore that they were innocent, and so Begged, "Open up the sacks and let us go. With whomsoever of us it shall be Let him be slain, and set the others free. " But said the steward, "If anywhere I find The cup, the one who stole it I shall bind; And he shall turn again to Egypt's land With me, for that's the governor's command." And then the search he hastily began Until at last he reached the youngest man; And when the cup with Benjamin was seen, They rent their clothes, and said that they had been 59 60 The Story of Joseph Tricked by some fellow who for evil spite Had put the cup within the sack at night. So all went back to Joseph, in alarm Lest he should keep the lad and do him harm. And Judah begged that he himself should be Held as a slave, and Benjamin be free. He said his father's heart would break in twain If Benjamin did not go home again. Then Joseph said, *'Does not your memory bear Remembrance of some evil deed? Ye fear To meet the man who as a slave ye sold, I'm Joseph whom ye sought to slay of old." 61 The Story of Joseph Amazed they were, and could not say a word, While Joseph wept, and the Egypt- ians heard. Again he asked, "Does my dear father live?" They were afraid, and could no answer give. He bade them, "Come, my brothers, come and see That I am Joseph and none else than he." And as they slowly toward their brother crept. Upon the younger 's neck he fell and wept. And then he told them that while ill they thought To do, their deeds had only goodness brought. "The Lord," he said, "preserved my life this day, To save my land while famine held its sway. " 63 64 The Story of Joseph And when on Pharaoh's ears the glad news fell. That Joseph found his brethren pleased him well; He said to Joseph, "To your brothers say I want you all to come and with me stay. And give them wagons in which all can ride, Your father and his relatives beside; Tell them that Egypt blooms, a land of flowers. And peace and plenty crown the passing hours. " So Joseph gave them bread and meat and wine, A goodly store of all things rich and fine; A splendid gift he also made his brothers. But Benjamin's was better than the others. 65 66 The Story of Joseph To Jacob sent he such a mighty gift That twenty beasts the burden could not hft. Then home they went, and told their father, too. And he could scarce believe that it was true. But when he heard that Benjamin arrived. His sinking spirit speedily revived. He said, "The lad still Hves; though I am old These feeble arms shall yet my boy enfold. " But Joseph their arrival did not wait; He bade his slaves prepare his car of state; And quickly down the highway then he sped To greet the father whom he'd mourned as dead. 67 The Story of Joseph And when he saw him, from the car he stepped, Kissed those old cheeks, fell on his neck and wept. And poor old Jacob, filled with love and joy, Could only murmur, "Joseph, O my boy!" And while he lived 'twas Joseph's greatest pride To keep his father ever by his side; And over Joseph's tender care and love The Lord of all kept faithful watch above. 68 ■^f r^AR 25 1912 0^ 'oK '^^^^' <. .^^ '^^ "tr-y:}^ ;55^S£^'. V.^'** : •.• ^^ ** '^w^^.' ^<,^ % --^p,' y '"* -yj . ^'^^ .y /ivV^^ "'^^^ j^^' •^^SiK'. ''ec A^' *>i «• 'Jt HECKMAN BINDERY INC. /^ DEC 88 "fwffi^ N. 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