Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-07-02

"Friend, who is the most pious Of the
faithful in this city,"
The wood-cutter replied, "Rabbi iona.
than"
"Who is the next greatest saint in the
city,"
"Have you other wise, just and holy
men here"
"Certainly; there is Ismael Zadik,
there is Jehoshua ben Amnon, Samuel
the Learned, Mordecai Cohen"
"But stay" interrupted Raschi; "the
one mean, suppose must be very old
man, with pale face, bowed knees, long,
white beard, eyes red 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 cutter. Farewell"
"Stay," exclaimed the Rabbi, detaining
him "can you tell me aught of Abraham
ben Gerson?'
abraham ben Gerson ?" echoed the
laborer; "he is no saint. He is rich
man, delicate liver, keeps much COM
pany, and is in high favor with the Gen.
tiles"
"Where does he live, friend?"
"Follow me, and will show you."
The Rabbi Raschi was brought
by the wood cutter before a marble
palace. Gayly caparisoned horses stood
at the door, held by pages in gallant liv
cries. He hastened up the flight of steps
leading to the entrance, and entered the
hall. 1t was paved with colored marbles; !;
the walls were encased with alabaster
richly sculptured, end silk curtains hung
before the doors. Noblemen waited there,
lounging on velvet sofas till the master of
the house should attend to them. Ser
wants glittering with gold lace hurried
about, bearing salvers of the most precious
metal, ON which were goblets full of iced
wines, and plates with delicious confec-
| tions, which they handed to the illustrious
visitors.
Travel.stalned and dust -begrimed, lean
| ing on his rude staff, his gaberdine in tat
ters, his long, white beard untrimmed, and
the white hair of his head in tangled
locks, unattended to, the wondering Raschi
seemed entranced. A antapproached
him with 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. Instant
ly, all the mobiles rose, the servants started
to the stairs leading to the upper portion
of the house, drew back the br0cade cur
tains that screened the ascent, and ranged
themselves in line between the stairs and
the entrance door.
In another moment a uobie-looking
Jew, in crimson velvet dress, with gold
chains about his neck, appeared, accom-
panying Spanish prince of royal blood,
conversing with him Familiarity as they de-
scended the steps, and as he led him to the
door.
make way" said Rabbi Raschi, thrust
ing his staff betwixt two of the liveried
servants, snake way for me-"
The master of the house stood still and
looked at him then made sign to the
domestics, who fell back and allowed his
old man to pass.
Raschi's cheeks grew crimson. His
hand trembled as he thrust it forth and
laid it on the arm of the wealthy Jew.
care you Abraham, son of Gerson ?"
he asked in faltering tones.
al am. What do you want with me,
father ?"
al must speak with you. Lead on to
private chamber"
The merchant obeyed, and brought the
Rabbi into little room hung with blue
silk, fretted with silver
II am Raschi ben Isaac" said the old
man, sand l came here to seek you. /
hoped to have found pious Jew; find
one living in pomp and worldliness. /
hoped to have found one fasting and pray
ing find one eating and traffcking. /
thought to have found one the favorite of
God. and l find one the cOurted of princes
and mobiles. Is this house for Jew-a
child Of a despised and outcast race? The
temple lieth waste, and shall we live in
luxury and splendOr?
81 feel honored in being visited by the
illustrious Raschi," said Abraham.
"Shamed, shamed" exclaimed the
to exhibit all this profusion ?"
Goods blessing has been on my bust.
ness" said the merchant.
"And how do you recompense Hia. ?"
cried the indignant Raschi. "By neglect
ing the Giver, by squanderirg the gift.
Do you fast long? Do you wear the
stones with your knees?"
"My business occupies my time and de-
mands my energies. I pray, but cannot
pray for long. l cannot fast, or my bust
ness would not be attended to-"
"Do you eat of meat, the flesh of beasts
not slain by Jewish butcher ?"
81 have even done So"
"Have you partaken of the accursed
flesh of the swine?" r
"I fear that have"
"Have you neglected regular daily at
tendance at the synagogue
My attendance has been irregular"
Alas, alas - cried Raschi, throwing
down his staff and raising his hands to
heaven. "Suroly there is injustice in
Paradise as well as ON earth Here lives
| wicked Jew, breaker of the law, in
splendor, as king in another place is
pious man, fearing God, macerating his
body, in want and nakedness, crushed
by poverty, and the kingdom of
Heaven receives both, and sets both on
level. Woe is mel" and he would have
rushed from the chamber had not the
merchant stayed him.
rabbi" he said, az know my duty to
God and man, and l practice it as best
can"
"Profane onep exclaimed the old man.
| Trust 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
Rabbits eyes that golden throne beside his
own, on which twas written the name of
the merchant.
| "Come with me, said Abraham, taking
| the old manfs hand Ufn-morrow nv