The Little Maid of Israel

In the Land of Israel, not a great distance from the city of Samaria, dwelt Ezra with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Isaac and Leah. The sun was sinking behind the hil...

"Every day that dawns is long and dreary to me," he said; "but these last five days have seemed indeed the longest and dreariest of all my life. Leah, sometimes during the long,...

Naaman, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army, was passing through the streets of Damascus in a magnificent chariot drawn by four snow-white horses. He was a man of great height...

"I am come to seek counsel of thee, my lord," replied Naaman. "My wife hath a maid-servant who cometh from the land of Israel, and this maiden sayeth that in Samaria there is a...

The latter had assembled about him his courtiers, counselors and wise men. He appeared no longer troubled nor disturbed. He looked with serene eyes upon Naaman, into which, howe...

"I did say unto Naaman of Syria that the ways of Elisha, the prophet, were not like unto the ways of other men," said the servant. "But Naaman would not give heed to my words, h...

An hour before sunset, upon the day following his departure from Damascus, the caravan of Naaman reached the banks of the Jordan. The Jordan was very different from the beautifu...

The days passed very slowly and wearily to Claudia, wife of Naaman, as she awaited in her palace home the return of her husband. Sometimes her heart was filled with hope, then,...

"Why dost thou tremble and grow pale, dear mistress," she asked. "I did come to thee at once with the tidings of my lord's return, thinking that thou wouldst rejoice and be happy."

"He inquired for the Israelite maiden who is a slave in the house of Naaman," replied the servant. "'Tis only a ragged beggar lad," and the servant turned scornfully away.