The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-17
.ss8 From the LADIES' National Magazine.
THE DAUGH FER OF ISRAEL.
By May v. spENcER.

.islna large splendid apartment, filled
with the most luxurious furniture of the
fifteenth century. and partaking in its
horid architecture of the oriental style
then so prevalent in Spain, sat young
and lovely female. Her attire was
that worn by the weather. Jewesses in
the secusion of their private apart
ments. The siIken tunic. the rich robe,
and the turban were all there; but it
needed not this picturesque dress to
heighten her beauty. OF all her sect,
Miriam, the daughter of Boaz, was ad-
mitted to be the most lovely. In the
poetIcal language Of her people she
was called the rose of Judah, that be-
ing her fathers tribe. .
.a She was sitting at a desk, with a
small parchment before her as if engag-
ed in writing. But now the pen was
held listlessly in her hand, and the ex-
preston of her countenance was one
Of deep thought. Miriam though young
and beautiful, had already seen trouble.
Unknown to her widowed father, she
had secretly become Christian; and
had been accustomed, during his alb
sence, TO attend the ceremonies Of this
new faith. Hitherto she had delayed
TO acknowledge her conversion publicly
for she knew it would break her faith
er's heart; and as he was an old man.
whose years would probably be few,
flial affection induced her to keep Sc.
cret her change of faith. Yet, day
and night, she put up prayers fer his
conversion; for her bosom yearned to
see him too a Christian.
The many trials she had to undergo,
in consequence OF this struggle between
flial love AMI her new religion, had
hitherto, been made comparatively
light, by the counsel and sympathy of
one she had learned TO love with all
the truth and fervor of her eastern
race. The student, Salvado, as he
was called, was Christian of the old
blood, whose fathers had fought against
i Moors ir the mountains of Aslurias,.
and who inherited all the high intellect
snnd manly courage Of his ancestors.-
Miriam had formed an acquaintance
with him at the house of a mutual
, friend, for at that period Of our story
q the wealthier Jews often formed init
macoles with the higher classes, and
indeed intermarried with them as the
genealogies of some of the oldest iami-
lies OF Spain will prove. No two be-
ings ever came together, more fitted
for" each other, than Miriam and the
young student. Both were beautiful.
ere enthusiastic, both possessed souls
of the loltiest stamp. 1t was to Saliva
dos eloquent teachings that Miriam
principally owed her conversion TO
Christianity. And, yet, through long
betrotbed, no. one knew the fact but
themselves. Miriam dared OF tell her
father, for he would sooner have seen
her in the grave than welded to a
Christian; and Salvado was poor stu.
dent, with no inheritance bat noble
blood and his fathers knightly sword.
So the lovers agreed to wait for better
times. When is youth not hopeful.
J4 The betrothal hld continued for
about year. during which Miriam and
hei lover met frequently though secret.
ly, when Sal. ado received summons
to return home and abandon his studies,
tie uncle who had hitherto supported
him at the university having died. He
was now altogether peniless, having
scarcely money. enough left for the
journey, but he Immediately set forth,
taking melancholy farewell Of Mi.
riam. lsa,
aa ~ will return ere long" he said
"keep good heart: perhaps may win
fortune and come to claim you soon.
Afteril have madeia settlement ofmy
fathers poor estate from the executors
Of my uncle. shall join the camp and
seek to win wealth and renown by my
sword. will write to you as often as
Ihave opportunity to send by trusty |
hand; and if ever you have occasion
for the aid of a friend, call on me, and, |
though atmy vigils as a knight, will
fly to your succor." $50 gai oi gii
Miriam promised, and with many
tears parted from her lover. 9a II
W Time passed, and in the interval great
changes took piace,in the position of
Of the Jews in Spain. The popular
opinion began to run strongly against
them9 always despised people, the
hatred Of the mob began to find,vent
in open persecution. Already the
monarch was meditating theirexpul.
sion, that most fatal measure TO the
of his kindom, from the eff
fects ofwhich Spain has not yetrecov-
cred, moreover will. The Jews were
- 40 t,onfts T., 49, co,,,l -, !, . tt, a.