Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-11-10

Der By the garden, weeping and crying And
when the sun had gone behind the hills the
prince of the Mazikin again stood before him,
and said,
" Eat now, for thou must be an hungered.
Il was a sore vow Of thine" And lie offered
him daintier meats.
And Jochonan felt strong desire to eat
but he prayed inwardly to the Lord, and the
temptation passed, and he answered.
Excuse thy servant yet third time, my
! lord, that cat not. / have renewed my vow 2
BE It So then" said the other; "arise,
and follow me.
The demon took a torch in his hand, and
led the rabbi through winding passages Of his
palace, to the floor Of a lofty chamber, which
he opened with a key that he took from
niche in the wall On entering the room,
Jochonan saw that it was Of solid silver
floor, ceiling. wall, even TO the threshold and
the door-posts. And the curiously carved
roof and borders Of the ceiling shone in the
torch-light. as if they were the faneiful work
Of frost In the midst we're heaps Of silver
money, piled up in immense urns Of the same
metal, even over the brim.
Thou hast done me a serviceable act,
rabbi" said the demon; take Of these what
thou pleasest; ay were it the whole"
q l cannot, my lord, said Jochonan. q
was adjurcd BY thee to come hither in the
name Of God; ana IN that name / came, not
for fee or reward
Follow me, said the prince Of the Mazi-
kin; and Jochonan did so, into an inner
chamber.
1t was Of gold, as the other was Of silver.
It's golden roof was supported By pillars and
pilasters Of gold, resting upon golden floor.
The treasures Of the kings Of the earth would
not purchase one Of the four-and-twenty YES
sells CT golden coins, which were disposed in
six rows along the room No wonder. for
they were filled by the constant labors Of the
demons Of the mine. The heart Of Jochonan
was moved BY avarice. when he saw them shin
ing in yellow light like the autumnal sun, as
they reflected the beams Of the torch. But
God enabled him to persevere.
These are thine" said the demon; Zone
Of the vessels which thou beholdest would
make thee the richest Of the sons Of men and
l give thee them ALL
But JochOnan refused again. aud the nrince
Of the Mazikin opened the door Of a third
chamber, which was called the Hall Of Dia-
monds. When the rabbi entered, he screamed
aloud, and put his hands over his eyes; for the
lustrc Of the jewels dazzled him, as if he had
looked upon the MONDAY sun. In vases Of
agate were heaped diamonds beyond numera-
ton, the smallest Of which was larger than
pigeons egg On alabaster tables lay ame-
thysts, topazcs, ,rubies, ,beryls and all other pre-
cious stones, wrought BY the hands Of skiiful
artists, beyond power Of computation. The
room was lighted BY a carbuncle, which, from
the end Of the hall, poured its everything
light brighter than the rays Of noontide, but
cooler than the gentle radiance of the dewy
moon. This was a sore trial on the rabbi
hut he was strengthened from above, and he
refused again.
Thou knowest me- then, I perceive, o
Jochonan, son Of Ben David" said the prince
Of the MaEikin. 3" am demon, who would
tempt thee 70 destruction Asthou hast with
stood so far, tempt thee no more. Thou hast
done service which, though value It not, is
acceptable in the sight Of her whose love is
dearer to me- than the light Of life. Sad has
been that love to thee, my Rebecca Why
should l do that which would make thy cure
less grief more grievous You have yet an
other chamber to see" said he to Jochonan,
who had closed his eyes. and was praying fer
yently to the Lord, beating his breast
Far different from the other chambers, the /
one into which the rabbi was next introduced /
was mean and paltry apartment, without fur.
niture. On its filthy walls hung innnmerable /
punches OF rusty keys. Of all Sizes disposed I
without order. Among them, TO the astonish-
ment of Jochonan, hung the keys Of his own
house, those which he had put to hide when he
came on this miserable journey; and he gazed
upon them intentlv.
What dost thou see" said the demon,
that makes thee look so eagerly? Can he
who has refused silver, and gold, and diamonds,
be moved by paltry bunch Of rusty iron."
They are mine own, my lord, said the
rabbi them will take, if they be offered
me"
Take them, then, said the demon. putting
them into his hand thou mayest depart.
But, rabbi, open not thy house only, when
thou returnest to Cairo, but thy heart also.
That thou didst not open it before, was that
which gave me power over thee Il was we'll
that thou didst one act Of charity in coming
with me without reward for it has been thy
BE no more Rabbi Jochonan the
niser."
The rabbi bowed 10 the ground, and blessed {
he Lord for his escape. But how, t" said he,
am to return! for know not the way" I
"Close thine eyes" said the demon. lie
lid 50, and, in the space Of a moment heard
he voice Of the prince Of the Aazikin order {
ne him to open them again. And behold, {
when he opened them, he stood in the centre ,
If his own chamber, in his house at Cairo, +
With the keys in his hand.
When he recovered from his surprise, and s
lad offered thanksgiving to God, he opened ,
his house, and his heart also. lie gave aims \
o the poor he cheered the heart Of the wild
w, and lightoned the destitution ofthe orphan.
lis hospital board was open to the stranger, {
md his purse was at the service Of all who had {
leed to share it, His life was a perpetual s
ict Of beneyolence, and blessings showered I
" him upon all were returned bountifully D
Ipon him BY the hand Of Cod i