Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-12-12
lWritt=n for the CINCINNATI Times.l
Our Shakespearian Gallery.
BY THE "FAr CONTRIBUTOR"
sRYLoCK.

hAAOShs
Shylock was Jew, who kept a
second hand clothing store in Venice
BY buying low and selling for all
that he could get, doing his own
cooking by gas stove, having no
washing done and never spending a
cent, he had accumulated numerous
ducats, which he wasn't averse to
lending on collateral, providing the
borrower-hadn't any foolish scruples
about paying twenty rer cent a
month, or such a matter, for the
accommodation. Antonio was mer-
chant of Venice, who speculated a
good deal and owned numerous Ca
nal boats. He had a bosom friend
named Bassanio, who was in love
with rich widow, Portia; but hav-
ing lived free life, driving fast
horses, dining expensively at the St,
Lawrence very often, he hadn't the
ready cash wherewith to compete
with his more wealthy rivals.
His father, tired of paying for his
extrayagances, refused him any more
money. "Go to the ant, thou slug
gard" the parent said He did; he
went to Antonio, being as willing to
{ Anti owe nio him as any body
Now Antonio had invested nearly all
that he possessed in wheat, the mar,
ket being low, but as soon as his
canal boats arrived he expected to
sell at great advance, and be fixed.
But being anxious that his friend
should have a stake, lie agreed to
borrow some ducats for him, if his
credit would admit.
The next day, meeting Shylock on
the Rialto, (which differs somewhat
from the modern alto heard at con-
cert saloons not having so much rye
in it, he asked loan of three hun
dred ducats.
Shylock bore no love to Antonio,
nor to any of his tribe, IN fact. On
account of the scorn they had heap
ed upon him. He dissembled, how
ever, and said he would like to &C
commodate him, but hadn't the
money ready-he would like to see
his brother in law. He at length
agreed.to provide the three thousand
ducats for three months, facetiously
stipulating that Antonio should sign
bond it was such a joke!) agree
ing to forfeit pound of flesh (the
jew could hardly tell it for laughing J
to be cut off wherever he, the Jew,
decided, in case he failed TO pay the
money when due, $50 help me gra-
cious!" Antonio, believing in the
success of his wheat speculation. and
having heard that his boats were well
on the way from Chicago, accepted
the conditions and signed the bond.
Bassanio took the three thousand
ducats and proceeded to lay siege to
the heart (and purse) of the young
widow. He was most assiduous in
his attentions. He brought her pep
permint drops, lozenges, &C., when
ever he came, went buggy riding in
the afternoons, and took her to the
German beer gardens of an evening,
to hear the music In the sweet de-
lirium of love the days and ducats
sped swiftly away.
Bassanio became the accepted suit
or of Portia, Notwithstanding his ri
walls were opulent - one of them
owning silver mine in Colorado,
and another being a conductor on a
good paying railroad. In the midst
of his congratulations Bassanio re.
ceived letter from Antonio, inform
ing him that all his boats were lost in
a fearful gale on the Maumee canal,
and he reduced to beggary. He had
forfeited his bond to the Jew, and
was only waiting to know what por-
tfon of his body Shylock would Sc
lect from which to cut his pound of
steak. He invited Bassanio to be
present at the funeral, which would
be held at the house. No cards
Bassanio took the first train for
Venice, filed with remorse.
The temper of Shylock had not
been improved any by his daughter
running away with negro minstrel
named Lorenzo, particularly as they
carried away stocking full of du-
cats, jewels of much value, and a lot
of seven thirty bonds.
He caused the arrest of Antonio,
positively refusing to receive any
thing but the pound of flesh that he
had forfeited. The case was brought
before a Venetian Justice of the
peace for adjudication. Bassanio
had made a lucky hit at keno the
night before, and he offered to. pay
the jew 5000 ducats in place of g.
600, if he would retire from the
meat business and let Antonio CO.
The Jew was obdurate-nothing but
IA pound of Antonio's flesh, cut thin,
would satisfy him. He produced
butchers knife in court, and began
TO wheat it, showing that he meant
business.
:, The justice had sent to Padua for
learned doctor to determine the
case, which was one of considerable
interest, especially to Antonio.
The learned doctor pleaded illness,
and sent another doctor more learned