Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-11-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Family Friend.
THE ATISER'S LESSON
on
THE CITY OF THE DEMONS.
A TALE WITH A MORAL.


In days Of yore, there lived in the city Of
Cairo, Hebrew rabbi, BY name Jochonan,
who was the most learned Of his nation. His
fame went over the East and the most dis
tant people sent their young men to imbibe
wisdom from his lips He was deeply skilled
in the traditions Of the fathers; and his word
on a disputed point was decisive lie was
pious just, temperate, and strict but he had
one vice-a love Of gold had seized upon his
heart, and he opened not his hand to the poor.
Yet he was wealthy above most, his wisdom
being to him the source of riches The He
brews Of the city were grieved at this blem-
ish on the wisest Of their people; but, though
the elders Of the tribe continued to reverence
him for his fame, the women and children Of
Cairo called him by no other name than that
Of Rabbi Jochonan the miser.
None knew, so well as he, the ceremonies
necessary for initiation into the religion Of
Moses; and, consequently, the exercise of
those solemn Offices was to him another source
of gain. One day, as he walked into the
fields about Cairo, conversing with youth on
the Interpretation of the law, it so happened,
that the angel Of death smote the young man
suddenly, and he fell dead before the feet of
the rabbi, even while he was yet speaking
When the rabbi found that the youth was
dead, he rent his garments and gloriied the
Lord. But his heart was touched, and the
thoughts Of death troubled him in the visions
Of the night lie felt uneasy when he reaec-
ted on his hardness to the poor and he said,
Blessed be the name Of the Lord. The
first good thing that am asked to do, in that
holy name, will perform" But he sighed
for he feared that some one might ask Of him
a portion Of his gold.
While yet he thought upon these things,
there came loud cry at his gate.
Awake thou sleeper! said the voice,
awake A child is in danger Of death, and
the mother hath sent me for thee, that thou
mayest do thine Office"
1.-THE night is dark and gloomy" said the
rabbi, coming to bis easement, and mine age
is great. Are there not younger men than /
in Cairo f"
For thee only. Rabbi Jochonan, whom
some call the wise, but whom others call Rab-
hi Jochonan, the miser, was / sent. Here is |
gold" said he, taking out purse Of scquins.
F" want not thy labor for nothing. l adjure
thee TO come, in the name Of the living God. "
So the rabbi thought upon the vow he had
Just made and he groaned in spirit, for the
purse sounded heavy.
"As thou hast adjured me by that name, |
70 with thee" said he to the man; 'but hope
the distance is not far Put up thy gold"
"The place is at hand, said the stranger, /
who was gallant youth in magnificent attire.
" BE speedy, for time presses"
Jochonan arose, dressed himself, and accom-
panied the stranger, after having carefully 4
locked up all the doors Of his house, and de-
posted his keys in a secret pacc-at which
the stranger smiled.
| never remember" said the rabbi, " so
dark night BE thou to me as q guidc.s for
can hardly see the way"
" know i we'll replied the stranger with
a sigh " IL IS way much frequented, and
travelled hourly BY many. Lean upon mine
arm and fear not
They journcyed on; and. though tho dark
ness was great, yet the rabbi could see when
n occasionally Frightened, that he was in
Mace strange to him. thought" saie he,
:. I knew ali the country for leagues about
Cairo vet know not where am. / hope,
Young man. said he, 10 his companion, that
thou hast not missed the way. And his
heart misgaye hm.
Fear moi, +, returned the stranger Your
iournevis even now done" And as he spoke
the feet Of the rabbi slipped from under him. !