The touching story of Ruth and Naomi comes to my mind while I write, and my heart goes out in sympathy toward those lonely widows who perhaps walked along the very road which we traveled over. The fields of Boaz were no doubt quite near to Bethlehem, and I think of his kindness to Ruth when he said, “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens;” and then later on he said, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not.” Truly a good man was Boaz, and a deserving woman was Ruth. [Illustration: _Absalom’s Tomb._] There lived in Nazareth a man by the name of Joseph, and a woman whose name was Mary. A law had been passed that all the world should be taxed, so “all went to be taxed, every one in his own city.” Mary and Joseph traveled a long, long distance, and upon their arrival in the city found, to their sorrow, that there was no room for them in the inn. They were tired, weary and almost sick, and had no place to rest. Oh, what a trying time for them. While waiting to be taxed a child was born, a little baby boy; and his mother “wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” That seemed like a poor place for the tender infant, but the angels kept good watch over him. The name of the child was Jesus, and his birthplace was Bethlehem; and he proved to be the Savior of the world, for when he reached manhood he suffered and died that you and I might live. “The Church of the Nativity” is said to cover the spot where Jesus was born; but we shall never know for certain how much truth there is in the saying. [Illustration: _A Dragoman._] At the close of the day spent in Bethlehem the guide informed us we had ridden almost twenty miles, and with astonishment we said, “No wonder we were tired and weary.” Arrangements had been made for us to start the following day on a long journey, which would take twenty-one days to complete. Our home was to be in tents, and every mile of the road was to be traveled over on horseback. Horses and mules were to carry baggage, beds and bedding, dishes, cook stove and food. Trunks were left behind, because much baggage was not allowed. From now on we shall call our guide “the dragoman,” which means interpreter. Mr. Heilpin spoke seven or eight languages with ease. He was a tall, well-built man with commanding appearance. We were impressed with the thought that he was quite able to take care of a large party of dependent tourists.