Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-16


all the cities Of the land of Egypt and he had walk
ed but half an hour from his dwelling in Cairo So
/ he knew not what to think, but followed the man
with trembling.
They soon entered the gates of the city, which
was lighted up as if there was a festival in every
house. The streets were full Of jewellers, and
nothing but n sound Of Joy could be heard. But
when Jochonan looked upon their faces, they were
the faces OF men panied within; and he saw, by
The marks they bore, hat they were Mazikin.T lie
was ierfifed in his soul and, by the light of the
torches, lie looked also upon the face of his com.
panlon, and, behold! he saw upon him, too, the
mark that showed hm to be demon. The rabbi
feared excessively; almost TO faintng; but he
Thought 1t better 10 be silent; and sadly he follow
e'l his guide, who brought him to a splendid house,
III the most magnificent quarter of the city.
" Enter here" said the demon to Jochon,n, for
this house is mine The lady and the child are in
the upper climber" And, accordingly, the sor-
rowtul rabbi assembled the stairs to find Them.
The lady, whose dazzling beauty was shrouded
by melancholy beyond hope, lay in bed the child,
III rich ralmont, sumbeted ON the lap Of the nurse,
| by her side.
81 have brought to thee, light of my eyes" said
tie demon, Rebeccl, beloved of my soul have
brought thee Rabbi Jochonun the WISE whom Il on
dlIst desire. Let him, then, speedily begin his Of
fee. | shall fetch all things necessary for he is
IN haste to depart"
lie smiled bitterly as he said these words. look
ing at the rabbi, ana left the room, followed by the
nurse
When Jochonan and the lady were alone, she
turned in the he'd towards him, and said
unhappy man that thou art! knowcst thou where
thou hast been brought?'
81 10, SAID he, with heavy groan; 81 know
that am in the city of the Maxim"
"Know then, further" said she, - and the tears
gushed from her eyes brighter than the damond,-
know them further, that no one is ever brought
no mi la htttn l..r IT
my sin hath been imports not 10 thee :; and seek
not to know thine, But here thou remanest forev
er-losi, even as am Lust" And she went again.
The rabbi dashed his turban on the gro nd and
tearing his har exclaimed, "Wo is me- Who art
/ thou, woman, that speakest to me thus?'
- am Hebrew woman" said she " the daurh.
ter OF doctor Of the laws, in the city of gdad
and being brought hlther, it matters not how, am
married to prince among the Mazikin, even him
who was sent for thee. And that child whom ,hoL
sawest, is our lirsl-born; and could not bear the
thought that the soul Of our innocent babe should
perish. | therefore besought my husband to try to
bring hther priest-that tire law of Moses Dies
sed be his memory! should be done and thy fame,
which has spread to Bagdad, and lands further
towards the rising of the SUM- made me think Of
thee. Now, my husband, though great among the
Maz'kln, Is more just than the other demons and
he loves me, whom he hath ruined, with love OF
despair. SO he said, that the name of Jochonan
"iSC We ulllO MIN. ana That he knew
thou wouldst not be able to refuse. What thou
hast done to give him power over thee is known to
myself"
81 swear before Heaven" said the rabbi "tlat
have ever diligently kept the law, and walked
steadlasty according To the traditions of our faith
ers' from tie day OF my youth upward. have
wionged no man IN word or deed and have daijv
worshipped the Lord, minuiely performing all the
ceremonies therefore neediul.'
Nay, sand the lady, ''all this thou ,nirhtest
have done, and more, and yet be in the power of
the demons But time passes; for hear the foot
OF my husband mounting the stair. There is one
chance of thine escape"
"What is that, y lady of beaaty!" said the ago
nized rabbi.
Eat not drink not, nor take fee or reward while
mere and as long as thou canst do thus, The Muz
KIN have no power over thee, dead or allve. Have
courage and fersovere"
AS she ceased from speaking, her husband en-
tered the room, followed by the nurse, who bore all
things requisite for the minstration of the rabbi
WIN heavy heart he performed his duty and
the child was numbered among the faithful. But
when as usual, at The conclusion OF the ceremony.
the vine was handed round to be tasted by tie
child, The mother and the rabbi he refused it, when
1t came to him, saying
"Spare me- my lord, for have made vow that
fast this day; and will eat not, neither viii
drink"
BE it as thou pcasest" said the demon: 81 will
not that that thou shouldst break thy VOW" Aud
he laughed aloud.
80 Tie poor rabbi was taken into chamber look
ing into beautiful garden, where he passed the
remainder OF the night and the day, weeping, and
praying to the Lord, that he would deliver him from
the city OF the demons. But when the twelfth hour
came, ana the sun was set the prince of the Mazi-
kin cane again unto him. and said
lat now, pray thee, for the day of thy VOW is
: past" And lie set meat before him.
Dnr Al,
nan, I'm this thing / have another VOW for this
day also. pray thee be moi angry with thy SER
want"
i IL am not angry" said the demon: she it as
thou peaSe't respect thy VOW" And he laughed
louder than before.
SO the rabbi sat another day in his chamber by
the garden, weeping and praying. And " hen the
sun Ind gone behind the hills, the prince oil the
Mozlkln again stood before hing, and said
Lat now, for thou must be an hungered II
. was a sore VOW Of thne.' And ne offered him
Gt4Itler meats.
And Jochonan felt strong desire TO eat but he
prayed nwardly to the Lord, and The temptation
f passed, and he ans" cred
"Excuse thy servant yet third time, my lord,
I eat not. have renewed my VOW"
BE II So, then," said the other: arise, and fol
low me-"
n The demon took torch in his hand, and led thC
G RABBI through winding passages Of his palace t
the door OF lofty chamber which he opened witt
key that he took from niche in the wall. On
entering the room Jochonan saw that 1t was of sol
Id slver--foor, ceiling, walls, even to the threshold
and the door-posts
n And the curious carved roof and borders of III,
ceiing shone in the torch-ligh, il they were thu
lancliul work Of frost. In the midst were heaps O
silver money, piled up in immense urns oil the san,
:, metal, even over The brlm.
"l'hou hast done me a servicabe act, rabbi
o said the demon: stake of these what thou pleas
i est; aye, were it the whole"
= :" cannot, my lord, said Jochonan. 81 was alb
. jured by thee to come hither in the name of God
g and in that name came,-not for fee or reward"
"Follow me-" said the prince of the Mazlkin
a and Jochonan did 30, into an inner chambe:
a 1t OF gold, the other was OF silver. 1T
II golden root was supported by pillars and piaser
~ Of gold, resting upon golden floor. Tie treas
y ures OF the kings Of the earth would not purchase
one OF the tour-and twenty vessels Of gold coins
r. which We're disposed IN SIX lows along the room