The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-07-14

urawhS from beneath ms vest wide girdle.
On examination. it was found to press apar,
with secret spring, and in it's recesscs,
which were deeply lined with soft wool, was
found collection of the most prec ious and
dazzling stones that ever greeted the eve, OF
the jew. Diamonds whose lustre was like a
star. rubies and sappires each of which was
worth principally. were in turn admired
and commented on. and taken account Of. -
1t was past m dnight when the examination
ended and the accounts were finished
Now" said the prince. II would fain
ask where my treasure is to lie, that in case
anything should happen to you and your
wife. ! might know where to seek it,"
That is a precaution Of only common
prudence answered the jew. - You shall
yourself behold it put in place of safety.
from which it will not be removed until your
return. save by circumstances in which even
the sacrifice Of my life may be demanded"
The shutters were closed TO prevent all
prying eyes. The Jew and his wife removed
the china from one side of the closet, and
then carefully Slipping aside panel, which
had been 50 beautifully fitted in that no one
ignorant Of the secret could have detected it,
the girdle lowered into a receptacle beneat
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 pursuit.
Months passed away into years, and the
jew worked early and late. The beautiful
Sarah watched the cradle of her children with
mothers tender affection. Her ambition
tor her sons was not that they should become
great. but good men; but she hoped they
would become more successful in life than
their plodding. laborious father.
Then came the terrible French invasion.
and those revolutions which convulsed ali
Garmany. Frankfort. Hamburger, Bremen,
felt the shock. and the poor Jews, hunted,
pllaged of their wea Nth. denounced, and per.
secuted, were scarcely able to escape with
life; while the horrible cry Of down with
the Jews! ~ prevailed over all other sounds
and deafened the ears Of the poor Hebrews
themselves.
In this time OF alarm and confusion Sarah
Rothscnd kept i brave W oman s heart with in
her BOSOM She did not banch from sorrow
but grew more glorously 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 ran.
sacked and pillaged -everything of value was
taken by the lawlcss French soldery, who
scorntully reviled her husband for keeping
such magnificent woman in so poor cage.
The persecution did not cease here. Every
Jew who put his head out Of doors was
required to take off his hat to the christians
and 1t he omitted this act Of humiliation he
was stoned and abused. And the proud
spirit of Sarah chafed 10 see her husband and
the brave, beautiful boys, who dared rebel
against the multitude, receive threatcnings
and insults from even the children of the
Christians.
Years went by. The Prince returned
lie had seen both troubles and JOYOUS times
in the far off 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 onietlv
down near Frankfort. All around him were
traces Of recent struggle with a foreign
power: but as the grass springs up Nelastic
from the foot that treads II down. so does n
city or nation recover itself after the oppres.
sor has been trampling 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
extremity, human integrity must fall before
the absolute necessity that surrounded the
unhappy jew. He comfortcd himself that.
at least the high bred and stately Jcwess and
her husband might have been most essentially
benefited by the deposit he had left with
them ; and thus the matter rested with him.
One morning while the Prince was at his
breakfast, he was told that some person
wished to see him on business. lie desired
his presence in the breakfast room, and on
his entrance. was surprised and gratitied by
the sight Of his old friend, the Jew.
:" came" said he, :" to speak of the pro.
pcrty you left with me-"
Don't mind that at ALL my friend" in.
terruptcd the Prince. - but come and take
breakfast with me. Nay. insist. and pray
do not mention the affair. rejoice that il
was there 10 do you service in a time when
you needed it SO much. Sit down. and in
this admirable coffee, VIC will drink away its
remembrance altogether.
The Jew took the profiered chair.
Believe me, Prince, your treasure is all
safe. just as told you. The closet was
searched again and again, every seam exam.
ined without success. The fine old china,
and indeed, all our posscssiohs were sacrificed
to the pluudering mpacity of the enemy but
thanks to the name Of Israels God, we were
able to keep secret the trust you reposed in
US. Your property only awaits your order,
to be restored to you as you gave it to US"
The Prince was astonished. II had
scarcely believed in such virtue. my friend
You have taught me that mans integrity
may 6e mcorruptible; and henceforth Shall
have increased faith in the dignity and purity
Of human nature"
A few days after this. the Prince called at
the house in Judcn S,rasse. received his
girdle with not a stone missing.
In that very house the children of Ben
Neber were educated in the principles of
honor and justice. Everywhere the integrity
Of their father was sounded abroad by the
Prince who deemed that his thanks and
presents alone were not sufficient. The
world heard the tale: and the humble Jew
received not only the trust but the compan-
ionshp Of princes and mobiles. In all parts
Of the commercial world men heard the name
with venera,ion; and at this day his families
are scattered about the grandest cities Of
Europe, the inonarchs of finance. the arbiters
Of the money market, the successful, because
honorable controllers of the wealth Of nations.
But though frequently urged to make her
home in one o! the pricely palaces in which
they dwell. Sarah Rothschild passed her
peaceful old age in the quaint old house in
princes in their own right, and noble by their
country's gift of nob,lty-givcn, too, to merit
al)nc, when they visited her, she received
them in the same room in which they had
received their lessons of truth and honor;