The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-01-06
sHYLOCK.
NOT THE JEW THAT SHAKESPEARE DREW.

| get, doing his own cooking by gas stove
having no washing done, and never spend
ing q cent, he had accumulated several
| dueats which he was not averse to lending
on collateral, provided the borrower had
no conscientious scruples against paying
twenty per cent a month for the accommo-
| dation. Antonio was merchant Of Ven
ice, who speculated good deal and own
ed numerous canal boats. He had bosom
friend named Bassanio, who was in love
with rich widow, Portia; but having liv-
ed a free life, driving fast horses, and din
ing extensively at the st. Lawrence very
| often, he hadn't the cash wherewith to
compete with his more wealthy rivals.
Bis father, being tired of paying for his
extravaganza, refused him any more money.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard," said the
stern parent. He did; he went to Anto-
MO, being as willing to owe 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 q stake, he
his credit would admit
The next day, meeting Shylock on the
Rialto-which differs somewhat from the
alto heard at concert saloons, not having
so much rye in it-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
scern they heaped upon him. He dissem-
bled, however. and said he would like to
accommodate him, but hadn't the money,
he would have to see his brother-in-law.
He at length agreed to provide the three
thousand ducats for three months, face
tiously STIMULATING that Antonio should
sign bond, lit was such joke J agreeing
to forfeit pound Of flesh 1.-THE jew could
hardly tell it for laughing) to be cut off
wherever he, the Jew decided, in case he
failed to pay the money when due, $50 help
him gracious"
Antonio, believing in the success of his
wheat speculation, and having heard that
his boats were well on their way from Chi
cago, accepted the conditions, and signed
the bond.
Bassanio took the three thousand due
ats, and proceeded to lay seige to the
heart, and purse, of the rich young widow.
He was most arduous in his attentions; he
bought her peppermint drops, lozenges,
etc, whenever he came, went buggy-riding
Sunday afternoons, and took her to the
German lager beer gardens of an evening
to hear the music. In the sweet delerium
of love the days and ducats passed swift
ly away.
Bassanio became the accepted sutton of
Portia, Notwithstanding his rivals were
opulent, one of them owning a silver mine
in Colorado, and another conductor on a
good paying railroad. In the midst of his
congratulations Bassanio received letter
from Antonio informing him that all his
boats were lost in 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 portion of his
body Shylock would select to cut his pound
of steak from. 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, filled with re-
morse.
The temper of Shylock had not been
improved any by his daughter running
away with a negro minstrel named Loren
20, particularly as they carried away stock
ing full of ducats, jewels of much value,
and lot of 7-30 bonds.
He caused the arrest of Antonio, posi-
lively refusing anything but his pound of
flesh which had been forfeited The case
was brought before Venetian Justice of
the Peace for adjudication. Bassanio had
made lucky hit keno the night before,
and he offered to pay the jew six thousand
ducats instead of three thousand if he
would retire from the meat business and
let Antonio CO. The jew was obdurate,
nothing but a pound of Antonio's flesh,
cut thin, would satisfy him. He produced
a butchers knife in court, and began to
whet it, thus showing that he meant bust
ness.
The Justice had sent to Padua for
learned doctor to determine the case.
which was one Of considerable interest, es-
pecially to Antonio.
The learned doctor pleaded illness, and
sent another doctor, more learned than
himself, and better doctored, whom he rec
Hewas admitted in court, and,
on account Of his very youthful appearance
was viewed with derision by lot of shy
ster lawyers from the Police Court, who
were there as spectators.
The case was a plain one. The bond
was produced in court, and spoke for itself.
confessed to it, and it was evident
that he was liable to leave the courtroom
lighter by pound. The learned doctor
told ShylOck he must be merciful, but
Shylock told him he didn't have to-"
And then the learned doctor reminded him
that the quality of mercy is not strained"
no stralner having been invented at that !
for anything except new milk. He said
that Antonio must pay the forfeit if the
Jew refused mercy-no power in Venice
could alter the decree.
"Shylock, in the very ecstacy of 10Y. |
cried out, A Daniel come to Judgement |
yea, DanielP on account of the striking |
which the learned doctor |
borne to Dan Rice. The learned doctor |
told Antonio he must bare his breast
Shylock hourished his butcher knife fen |
1ishly and prepared to carve him. He
even had balance in the pocket of his |
iuster to weigh the flesh with, SO COM
3lete were his arrangements for making
The affair success. He acknowledged
hat he had neglected to have a surgeon
'eady to stop the blood, because it wasn't |
SO nominated in the bond"
Antonio had lost all his money, and hay
ng sense enough to know that life without
iucats was uncomfortable, he calmly pre-
pared for funeral obsequies. Exposing his
WOODEN under-shirt, he babe the Jew pro-