The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-08-14

chains about his neck, appeared, accom-
panying Spanish prince of royal blood,
conversing With him faniliarly a. they
descended tic steps, and as he led Kim
10 the door
"Make way SAID Rabbi Rasehi,
thrusting his staff l}ctwixt lwo of the lis-
cried servants, s.make way for me. :
The master OF the house stood still and
looked at him then made Il sign to the
domestics, who fell back and allowed his
odd man to pass.
Kaschis checks grew crimson. His
hand trembled as he thrust it Forth and
laid it on the arm of the wealthy Jew.
''Are you Abraham, sou of Gerson ~
he asked, in faltering tones.
Il am. What do you want with me,
father =
Il must speak with you. Lead on to
a private chamber
The merchant obeyed, and brought the
Rabbi into little room hung with blue
silk, fretted with silver.
Il am Raschi ben Isaac" said the old
man, "ano | came here to seek you. |
hoped to have found a pious jew; / find
one living in ponp and worldliness. |
hoped to have found one fasting and
praying; [ find one eating and traffick-
ing. | Thought to have found one the
favorite of God, and l find one the court
ed of princes and mobiles. Is this house
for a Jew-a child of despised and
outcast race ? The temple lieth waste,
and shall we live in luxury and splendor?''
81 feel honored in being visited by the
iilustrious Raschi, said Abraham.
s'Shamed, shamedr' exclaimed the
Rabbi. ''Are you not ashamed before
me to exhibit ali this profusion p
| Goods blessing has been on my bust
ness, said the merchant
| "And how do you recompense Him ?"
cried the Indignant RaschI. !" BY neg
lecting the Giver, by squandering the
gift. Do you fast long? Do you wear
| the stones with Your knees z"
"My business occupies my time and
| demands my energies. | pray, but can
not pray for long. | cannot fast, or my
| business would not be attended to-
| ''Do you eat of meat, the flesh of
beasts not slain by Jewish butcher ?''
81 have even done so.'
I" Have you partsken Of the accursed
| flesh of the swine ?'
| 81 fear that l have"
| "Have you neglected regular daily at
tendance at the synagogue 2"
'sMy attendance has been irregular !"
"Alas, alas - cried Raschi, throwing
down his staff and raising his hands to
heaven ''Surcly there is injustice in
| Paradise as well as on earth. Here lives
wicked jew, breaker of the law, in
splendor, as a king in another place is
a pious man, fearing God, macerating his
body, in want and nakedness, crushed by
poverty, and the kingdom of heaven re-
ceives both, and sets both on a level
Woe is me!' and he would have rushed
from the chamber had not the merchant
l
stayed him.
"Rabbi," he said, IT know my duty
to God and man, and practice it as best
| I can"
"Profane one !" exclaimed the old
man. 'sTrust not your own strength
When the ungodly are green as the grass,
and when all the workers of wickedness
do flourish, then shall they be destroyed"
But just then there flashed before the
Rabbl's eyes that golden throne beside
his own, on which was written the name
of the merchant
"Come with me" said Abraham, TAX
ing the old mans hand .sto-morrow my
daughter 10 to be married, and today I
am going to make presents to the poor Of
our tribe They are now assembled to
receive my aims.
"And to whom is your daughter to be
/ married 7" asked Raschi. ssro a rich
Gentle, may be 2"
No., answered the merchant, mildly.
ssTo my clerk. He is not wealthy, but
be is upright and useful, and on his mar
rage ( shall make him my partner
They descended the stairs to the hall,
in which the poor were assembled. The
rich jew gave them abundant aims. and
each received his gift he left. One old
woman remained. She pressed forward,