284 BOYS OF THE BIBLE.

Joseph’s busy shop, or sitting by his mother’s side as the
daylight faded, we may form some worthy idea of what he
was like by a study of the habits and characteristics of the
Galilean boys of that far-away time. In this matter one of
America’s noblest and ablest writers comes to our aid.
General Lew Wallace, whose delightful book called
“Ben Hur” has won for its author world-wide fame, and is
worthy to be read by every boy in America, has endeavored
to draw a picture of what he supposes Jesus was like when
a boy in Nazareth. He thinks of him as a small, slender,
growing lad. ‘His attire was simple; on his head a white
kerchief, held in place by a cord, one corner turned under
at the forehead, the other corners loose. A tunic also white,
covered him from neck to knees, girt at the waist. His
arms and legs were bare; on his feet were sandals of the
most primitive kind, being soles of ox-hide attached to the
ankles by leather straps. He carried a stick much taller
than himself. The boy’s face comes to me clearly. I imag-
ine him by the roadside on a rock which he has climbed
that he may the better see the winding, picturesque country
at his feet. His head is raised. The light of an intensely
brilliant sun is upon his countenance, which in general cast
is oval and delicate. Under the folds of the kerchief I see
the forehead, covered by a mass of projecting, sunburned,
blonde hair, which the wind has taken liberties with and has
tossed into tufts. The eyes are in shade, leaving a doubt
whether they are brown or violet like his mother’s; they
are at least large, and clear and beautiful. The nose is
of regular inward curve, joined prettily to a short upper lip.
The mouth is small, and open slightly, so that through the
scarlet freshness of the lips I catch a glimpse of white teeth.
The cheeks are ruddy and round, and only a certain square-