Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-10
GQmtester @ailp Spp.


LII ole the most distinguished quarters Of
frankfort Maine was the street called
Juden Strasse, or jews street. Although in
the very heart of the city, it was quiet and re-.
tired, and represented but small number of
the busy residents of Frankfort. In one of the
houses dwelt a jew, whose love of gain was
under the full domination of his honesty and
integrity These were jewels which he priced
lar ABOVE gold and precious stones. The wife
OF Ben Heber Rothschiid was fit companion
Tor such man. Stately as an eastern prin-
cess and beautiful as only her own race can
ie-Sarah Rotschild was as good as she was
beautiful.
Their house was neat and beautifully order.
ed. Although the furniture was of a simple
form, 1t was made of a rare old wood, that
would bring its weight in gold. One closet
was devoted to sets of differently patterned
Dresden china-the heir.looms of families
who had been impoverished, and who were
glad to let them lie in the jews closet while
they lived upon the money they brought. Al.
though the outer closet was thus fearlesSly ex-
posed, few would have imagined that behind
Its seemingly secure back there was an inner
one that contained princely inheritances in
gold and diamonds. This was the trust.closet
so constructed that the closest inspection would
not reveal its existence; and in it were hidden
not the treasures that extravaganza had pawn
ed, and for which the jew was receiving pro-
fits, but simply those which had been entrust.
ed to his integrity to keep.
One night when the family was about to re.
tire to rest faint knock was heard at the
door, and was answered by the master of the
house. The visitor was a German prince.
who, from some political or personal reason,
was forced from Franf0rt. He had heard of
the purity and uprightness of the man with
whom he had come to DEAL and he wished to
place all he had in the world under his charge,
if he would accept he trust 81 wish only"
said the prince, "to retain enough for my eX-
penses to a foreign land" The Jew promised,
and asked when he would bring his treasures,
so that he might be able to appoint private
meeting to arrange their business.
81 have them here" answered the prince,
drawing from beneath his vest a wide girdle
On examination it was found to press apart
with secret springs, and in recesses, which
were deeply lined with soft wool, was found a
collection of the most precious and dazzling
stones Now" said the prince, "I.would
see where my treasure is to lie, that in case
anything should happen to you and your wife,
might know where to seek il"
THAT is precaution OF only common pru.
dence," answered the jew. "You shall YOUR
self behold it put in place of safety, from
which it will not be removed until your re-
turn, save by circumstances in which even the
sacrifice Of my life be demanded" The shut.
tiers were closed to prevent all prying eyes.
The jew and his wife removed the china
from ono side of the closet, and then carefully
slipping aside a PANEL which was so beauti-
fully fitted in that no one ignorant of the Sc
cret could have detected it, the girdle was low
cred into a receptacle beneath the shelf, in
moment all was replaced. The prince bowed
his thanks, shook hands with his new friend,
and was soon on the road, flying from pur-
suit.
Months passed away into years, and the Jew
worked early and late. The beautiful Sarah
watched the cradle of her children with a
mothers tender affection. Her ambition for
her sons was not that they should become
great, but good men but she hoped they
would become a little more successful in life
chan their plodding, laborous father. Then
came the terrible French invasion and those
revolutions which cOnvulsed all Germany
Frankfort, Hamburg, Bremen, felt the shock,
and the poor jews hunted, pillaged of their
wealth, denounced, and prosecuted, were hard
ly able TO escape with life while the horrible
cry of Down with the Jews !" prevailed over
all other sounds, and dealened the ears of the
poor Hebrews themselves.
In this time OF alarm and confusion, Sarah
Rothschild kept brave woman'S heart within
her bosom. She did not blench from sorro y,
but grew more beautiful and stately than
ever. a mother and wife, she lost sight of
herself in heroic love for the dear objects Of
her affection. The house was ransacked and
pillaged-everything of value was taken by
the lawless French soldery, who scornfully
reviled her husband for keeping such mag
niticent woman in so poor a cage
The persecution did not cease here, Every
low who nnf hiS bpa1 ont f Hoore
quired to take off his hat to the Christians
and if he omitted this act of humiliation, he
was stoned and abused, And the proud spirit
of Sarah chated to see her husband, and her
proud, beautiful boys, who dared rebel against
the multitude, receive insults and threatenings
from even the children of the Christians.
Years went by. The prince returned. He
had seen both troublous and Joyous times in the
far country which he had flown to as refuge !;
and now with renewed health and strength,
and brave, strong spirit that was determined
to take life as it came, and bear on without
murmuring, he settled quietly down near
Frankfort. All round him were traces of the
recent struggle with foreign power; but as
the grass springs up elastic from the foot that
treads it down, so does a city or a nation re.
cover itself after the oppressor has been tramp
ing within its borders.
The German prince sometimes thought Of
the treasure he had committed to the Jew, but
he knew what his class was reported to have
suffered, and felt that in those times of ex-
tremity human integrity must fall before the
absolute necessity that surrounded the unhap-
Ply Jews. He comforted himself that at
least, the highbred and stately Jewess and
her husband might have been most essen
TALLY benefited by the deposit he had left
with them, and thus the matter rested in his
mind.
One morning while the prince was at break
fast he was told that person wished to see
him on business. He desired his presence in
the breakfast room, and, on his entrance, was
surprised and gratifed by the sight OF his old
friend the jew. 81 come" said he, Ito speak
of the property left with me-"
"Don't mind that at all, my friend" inter
rupted the prince, "but come and take break
fast with me. Nay, l insist and pray, do not
mention the affair. l rejoice that it was there
to do you service in time when you must
have needed it so much Sit down, and in
- this admirable coffee we will drink away its
Remembrance altogether" The jew took the
proffered chair.
"Beieve me, prince, your treasure is safe,
just as l told you. The closet was searched
again and again, and every seam examined
without success. The fine old china, and in
deed, all our possessions, were sacrificed to the
plundering rapacity OF the enemy but thanks
to the name Of lsraePs God, we were ena.
bled to keep secret the trust you reposed in
us. Your property only awaits your order TO
be restored to you as you gave it."
The prince was astonished. 81 had scarcely
oelleved IN such virtue, my friend. You have
taught me that a mans integrity NAV be in.
corrupube, and henceforth shall have in.
creased faith in the dignity and purity of hu
man nature"
a few days after this, the prince called al
the house in Juden Strasse, and received his
girdle with not a stone missing. In that very
house the children Of Ben Heber were cducnt
ed in the principles Of honor and Justice. Ey
erywhere the integrity Of their father was
sounded abroad nv tho ,r;.a 49,