Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-12-27
From the Cincinnati Tunes.
Shylock.
BY THE FAT CONTRIBUTOR.

44 81 THE FAT CONTRIBUTOR. ~
shyiock was jew, who kept second
hand clothing store in Venice. BY buying
low and selling for all he could get, doing
his own cooking by gas stove, having no
washing done and never spending cent,
he had accumulated numerous ducats,
which he wasn't averse to lending on col
lateral, provided the borrower hadn't any
foolish scruples about payiog twenty per
cent month, or such matter for the ac-
commodation. Antonio was a merchant
OF Venice, who speculated good deal and
owned numerous canal 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 and
dining expensively at the St. Lawrence
very often, he hadn't the ready cash
wherewith to compete with his more
wealthy rivals.
Ills father tired of paying for his ex-
travagances, refused him any more money.
10 to the ant thou sluggard," the stern
parent said. He did; be went to Anto-
MO, being as willing to (AnD owe (nio)
him as anybody. Now Antonio had in
vested nearly all that he possessed in
wheat, the market 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, he 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
alto heard at modern concert saloons, not
having so much rye in iO, he asked loan
of three thousand ducats.
| Shylock bore no love to Antonio, nor to
any OF his tribe, in fact. on account of the
scorn they had heaped upon him. He
dissembled however, and said he would
like to accommodate him, but hadn't the
money ready--he would have to see his
brother-in-law. He at length agreed to
provide the three thousand ducats for
three months, faeetiously stipulating that
Antonio should give bond (t was such a
joke y agreeing TO forfeit pound Of flesh
| (the Jew could hardly tell it for laughing)
to be cut off wherever he tthe Jew) de-
cided, in case he failed to pay the money
when due $50 help me gracious /" An
tonic, believing in the success of his wheat
speculation, and in 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 seige TO the heart
(and purse) of the rich young widow. He
was most assiduous in his attentions. He
brought her peppermint drops, lozenges,
&C., when he came, went buggy riding
Sunday afternoons, and took her TO the
German beer gardens of an evening, TO
hear the music. In the sweet delirium OF
love the days and ducats swiftly sped
, away.
Bassanio became the accepted suitor of
Portia, Notwithstanding his rivals we're op-
pulent-one Of them owning silver mine
in Colorado, and another being a conduc-
tor on good paying railroad. In the
midst of his congratulations Bassanio re-
ceived letter from Antonio, informing
, him that all his boats were lost in fear
, ful gale on the Maumee canal. and he re-
duced to beggary. He had forfeited his
: bond to the jew, and was only waiting to
know what portion of his body Shyfock
would select from which to cut his pound
I of steak. He invited Bassonia to be pre-
) sent at the funeral, which would be held
at the house. No cards. Bassanio took
the first train for Venice, filed with re.
morse.
The temper of Shylock had not beer
improved any by his daughter running
, away with a negro minstrel named Loren
20, particularly as they carried away
> stocking full of ducats, jewels of mucl
value, and lot of seven-thirty bonds.
He caused the arrest of Antonio, posi-
lively refusing to receive anything but tn
, pound of flesh he had forfeited. The cas-
was brought before Veniiian Justice
: the Peace for adjudication. Bassanio ha
made lucky hit at keno the night before
). and he offered to pay the jew 5000 du
|, cats in the place of 5000 if he would re
! tire from the meat business and let Ante
: nio 90. The jew was obdurate-nothin
. but a pound of Antonio's flesh cut thi
e would satisfy him. He produced butci
h er.s knife in court, and began to whet
:. showing that he meant business.