Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-12-17
uestion, urge his wherry down the


Just above the third arch from the city
side, ere one Dutchman Morris had erect
cd his water-works, that old Manasseh
dwelt. There were but two things in
the world dear unto him--his money and
his daughter. From her extreme love-
illness Jessy had obtained the sobriquet
Of the t'Beauty Of London Bridge. -
Many of the illustrious Of herstribe had
sought her hand in marriage; but Jessy
was deaf to each overture. Several
Christians also offered to lay their riches
and their titles at her feet; but here Ma
nasseh angrily interposed, since from
principle, as we'll as inclination, he Bit
terly loathed the followers of one whom
his nation stigmatizes as the false Mes
siah Yes, the Jew would have acted,
if possible, a sterner part than Virgil
MUS he would have strangled his be-
loved and only child, ere he would have
seen her polluted by union with a
Christian.
Shakspeare's wherry glided on, and in
a few minutes, having entered the deep
shadow of the arch, he landed on the
wide projecting Startling. Jessy's sleep
ing apartment was far above; but the
girl, unknown to her father, had the KEY
of lower chamber, which opened upon
small balcony, and thence let herself
down into the arms of the enamored
poet.
Shakespeare resigned his SOULS to his
young attendant, who knew his duty too
well to listen to the conversation of the
lovers. The beautiful Jewess was wrap
ped in velvet mantel, bordered with
miniver. Her large, dark, passionate
eyes were now raised to the heavens,
spangled with stars, and now in melting
tenderness on him who sat by her side.
And thus they glided on-soft light
above, murmuring waters around-con-
versing in tremulous whispers, and ex-
periencing in these stolen moments of
reciprocated affection all the bliss that
man is capable of wringing from the
6eeting hours of his fevered existence.
We shall not detail at length the con-
versation which passed between Shak-
speare and his Jessy. Thus nightly had
they met, and brcathed their VOWS of
faith; and in each others presence had
forgotten the world and its cold restric-
TONS Jessy had trembled lest her ia
Their should discover her amour; for
rarely day passed without Manasseh's
bitterly reviling and heaping curses on
the Christians.
If thou dost love me-" said Shak-
speare, pressing the maiden's hand, Chou
wilt never again enter the habitation of
one who, harsh, bigoted and cruel, is
unworthy to call thee daughter Jessy |!
dear one, fond one, true one flee with
me this night; l will protect thee against
thousand fathers; this bosom shall be
thy home; and in return thy love shall
be my paradise"
+" Not yet" said the girl, timidly; 81
will pray to him-I will strive to bend
his willard perhaps he will relent.-
Moreover, harsh though he be, love my
father, and would not desert him in his
old years"
"Sweet one, distress not thyself-be
true to thy vow-continue to love me,
as worship thee, and whatever betide,
| shall be happy"
The moon had nearly set, and a deep
gloom was falling over the river. Jossy
was anxious to return and the wherry
shot back in the bridge. AS they ap-
preached, Shakespeare perceived the fg-
ure of man standing on the broad star
ling beneath the jews residence.
" 1t is only waterman, love, there
he is gone he has sprung, I doubt not,
into his boat"
Jessy trembled, but the man had in
deed disappeared around the buttress,
giving them reason to believe that he
was no other than the individual named
The beautiful Jewess was lifted by Shak-
speare out Of the wherry; the starting
was damp through the splashing of the
rising tide, and he threw his rich doublet
on the wood work for the girl to step
upon.
Farewell, love, forget me not" whis-
pered the poet Of Avon, kissing Jessy's
fair forehead; but at that instant he
started, for he felt his arm seized and
compressed as in vice by sinewy hand,
while words like the following were hiss
ed in his ear:
Christian dog! hell-hound! have
found thee 2"
Shakespeare by violent effort flung
the human viper from him; and as the
setting moon shed a glimmering ray
through the granite arch, he recognised
the father Of his Jessy! His first i'm
pulse was to draw bis sword, but he in
stantly placed reign on his inclination.
The Hebrew was so convulsed by the
passions which ragged within him that,
for some minutes, he was unable to adj
dress his trembling daughter or her low
er the former taking advantage Of the
silence Of her father fell on her knees
before him and besought him to restrain
bis anger. But the jew waved bis hand,
while his fury at length burst forth in
words:
"Begoncl thou disgrace to thy tribe
thou reproach to thy father! or | shall
STAY thee ~
The girl, shuddering and overawed,
crept to the little balcony, and in few
minutes disappeared. The Jew seemed
suddenly TO have formed a resolution
his eyes, in the darkness Of the night.
burned like Goals Of fire he muttercd