The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-10-17

obtaining shor!oblivion from care. he
prepared to retire. but was stayed by
the tinkling ofa guitar-an unwonted
sound at such aiime in the quiet street.
The night was exceedingly dark; but,
opening his window, he could perceive
through the deep gloom the figure of a
man wrapped il . cloak. and after a
soft prelude, rich manly voice ac-
companied the instrument in song
which breathed Of love alone. Sc
veral caeement. we're unclosed, and
several listeners appeared from the adj
joining hepses .hpt Lrrenzo's utmost
wafchfulness caul not detectth slight
est movement in hertha's apartment
The serenades paused. and then com.
menced his strain anew; nor was it un-
I'll the first grey dawn OF morning had
spread its faint light over the horizon
that the strings of mis- guitar were COM
pletely hushed. Montesecco had no
difficulty in recogn sing Reichendorf in
the minstrel; and though this perse-
verance was onlya ful6lment Of his
previous expectations. he felt all the
pain of disagreesble surprise.
Throwing himself for few hours on
the bed, Lorenzo, after he had risen
from a feverish slumber felt little desire
to pursue his daily toll; the appearance
Of Mordecai, however. warned him to
commence his labor for the Jew would
have, at least demanded half the price
of sitting if he hsdk been dismissed
with a request to gnesan hour 10 the
artist another day: and, anxious to
avoid the storm of words and the ex-
toriionate proposals which an altera-
tion of arrangements never failed 10
produce. he began as usual to work at
The picture. Disinclined for converse
iion. and absorbed in his own medita-
iions. il was some time before Lorenzo
observed the cros:-fallen and asitated
couutenance Of his visitor; the deject-
ed aspect, which lie had so frequently
assumed. now bore the stamp of truth.
No flash. from the quick eye. no sign of
suppressed mirth, betrayed the triumph
Of deceit; but plunged himself in me-
iancholy musings Lorenzo forbore to
inquire the reason of this striking alter
alton, and worked on in silence. At
length the Jew began to mutter in an
under tone:
Holy Father Abraham! if there
were any one in this dreary wilderness
that could trust!-but no, no who
is there that would not rejoice al spoil
ing The dog Jew who would not be-
reave him of his goods. his chattels, his
even to the last florins My
own tribe! ha! ha! they, too, bow the
knee 10 Mammon they. too, would
make their profits of my misfortune
and for these Christian dogsp
'eUnbelieverp exclaimed Lorenzo,
& how darest thou revlle the followers
Of the true faith in my presenccw
Masterr cried the Jew, throwing
himself, in utter agony and abasement
at his astonished auditors feet" good
young man. l have observed that thou
art inst in all thy dealings; thou hast
no. cheated the poor outcast of Israel
of his hard earnings: the strong hand
is against me; the Philisiine thirsts af-
ter my Golfers; the money have saved
lit is but small matter-I have not
pressed the wine-cup to my lips, or fed
ON delicates, yet | have little for the
robbers ciufch-bulky it is and that
win deceive them-perchance, them
but it is household stnf. poor, and of
little value" 80
.What is that to me q said Lorenzo;
HIneither know, nor desire to know
aught about your private concerns" Y.
Il know thouytl0st not,0 returned the
Jew. :. .Thou hast not pryed into my
secrets, and for that trust thee-but
by what oath! Will not thy shaven
priests absolve thee from thy promise
to the Jew!' The painter betrayed
his inpafiencc by an angry gesture,
and Mordecai continued. with great
velocity Of speech:
aThere is not much-much that 1
can call my own; hold ii in trust for
the brethren of my tribe, and he who
would Law the finger of violence upon
il would have the cry of the widow,
the curse of the orphan, the fearful
of Heaven aiight in bitter
plaques upon his,house FOR ever. We
are despised and sorely treated, but lie
years Of our suffering shall be at an
end then the daughters Of Jerusalem
shah rejoice, and the exact Christian
eat dpst beneath their feetn
aArt thou md, or Intoxicated with
wine old nj - said lorenzo. con-
temptuolsly; 6hd Mordeeai making a
strong effort to collect his wandering
thonghts, told his tale with ome de-
gree Of precision. ~
The painter gathered that persecu-
ton Aovered Ger the Jews; chat he
himself uas mxsk6d out for destructiQn,
and though he migh be-sayed By !
timely fight there was no Nhance oi
conveying away his property, and Of
this he besou8at Lorenzo to take charge
Refusal only tondsred the Jew more
importunaie, thouG advised 70 bury
his treasurcl IN e. ground in some
place only lnown1o himself Mosas.
cal. wretched at the idea of.leagpg
his riches to the chanae ofen acciden.
I'll discovery, would not listeu 70 the
suggestion, and At length prevailed up
on 81, humaasEcompanioh tobe theee'
pository of hS gold. LOrep1o's apart
~ s[-.ne fan.litsnnx far fhe