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

placed pairs of golden thrones with gor-
geous robes of ruby tissue cast over
the IN, and IN these robes diamonds were
SET, ard AS the light changed they
twiukied like sparks that wander about
the ashes of consumed paper. Upon
each throne a nau.e was written with
lightning brilliancy. And ihe Rabbi
saw on two Of the hi. .hest-two that stood
side by side en- the same sta"e-Raschi
ben Isaac, of Regensburr, and Abraham
ben Gerson, of Barcelona. AS soon as
the old man had made out these names
the light faded, aud he found that the
sky was dark, that only faint amber
glow remained above the horizon, and
that the stars were shining in the dark
vault. So he shut his window, and he
busted himself through the night in
gathering together a few necessaries for
journey, for he was resolved ere break
of day to start for Barcelona, and to make
the acquaintance of Abraham ben Ger
son, who was to be his companion in
Paradise.
After tedious journey, Raschi ar
rived in Barcelona. his feet sore With
walking, and his palm fretted with the
staff he held, and his shoulders CALLED
with the straps of the little kuapsack
which held his clothes aud provisions
As he entered the town he thought to
himself, II will not mention the holy,
man by name, but will see whether the
Hebrews here know of his high merit
and future exaltation." Then, meeting
a Jewish wood cutter, he stopped him,
and said L.
:sFriend, who is the most pious of the
faithful in this city z"
He replied, .sRahbi Jonathan"
ssWho is the next greatest saint in the
city ?"
''Levi ben Nathan
"Have you other wise, just and holy
men here 2"
''Certainly; there is Is,nael Zadik,
there is Joshua ben Amnon, Samuel the
Learned, slordecai Cohen"
-''But, stay interrupted Raschi; ''the
one mean, [ suppose, must be very
old man, with pale face, bowed knees, a
long, white beard, eyes rcd with tears
from much weeping for the transgressions
OF Israel; man ever engaged in prayer,
who macerates his body and trains his
soul''
"There is no such man in Barcelona."
answered the wood d-cutter Farewell" !"
Stay exclaimed the Rabbi, detain-
ing him; lean you tell me aught of
Abraham ben Gcrson 2"
abraham ben Gerson r' echoed the
laborer che is no saint. He is rich
man, a delicate liver, keeps much COM
pany, and is in high favor with the GEN
tiles"
"Where does he live, friend 2"
"Follow me, and ! willeshow you."
The Rabbi Raschi was brought by the
wood cutter before marble palace.
Gayly caparisoned horses stood at the
door, held by pages in gallant liveries.
He fastened up the fight of steps lead
ing to the entrance, and entered the hall
1t was paved with colored marble the
walls were encased with alabastcr richly
sculptured, and silk curtains hung before
the doors Noblemen waited there,
!. -,olx,,t .,e.. All tLa ,..,,+ !.
of the house should attend to them. Ser
wants glittering with gold lace hurried
about, bearing salvers of the most pre-
cious metal, on which were goblets full
of iced wines, and plates of delicious con-
fections, which they handed to the illus
trious visitors.
Travelstained and dust begrimmed,
leaning on his rude staff, his garberdine
in tatters, his long, white beard untrim-
med, and the white hair of his head in
tangled locks, unattended 40, the wonder
ing Raschi seemed entranced. A SER
want approached him with q golden salver,
on which were wines. The old man
raised his staff, and with flashing eyes,
Indignantly signed him to retire.
Suddenly silver bell tinkled. In
stantly, all the mobiles rose, the servants
started to the stairs leading to the upper
portion of fine house, drew back the bro
cade curtains that screened the ascent,
and ranged themselves in line between