North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-05-26

the old mans hand ITO morrow my
daughter is to be married, and to day ! an
going to make presents to the poor of ou1
tribe. They are now assembled to receive
my aims.
"And to whom is your daughter to b
married?' asked Raschi. ITO ricl
Gentle. m" ybe p
"No," answered the merchant, mildly
"To my clerk. He is not wealthy, but b.
is upright and useful, and on his marriage
l shall make him my partner
They descended the stairs to the hall, ir
which the poor were assembled. The rich
Jew gave them abundant aims, and a,
each received his gift he left. One Ole
woman remained. She pressed forward
and Abraham extended to her a littlt
purse.
"No!' she exclaimed, thrusting the
money aside, ~ have not come here te
beg. but for advice"
"Speak, wherein can l advise you
Draw nearer to me"
The woman approached him, and began
IL am poor widow, hardly supporting
four children. All my hope was fixed or
the marriage of my eldest daughter tt
him, to whom my dear husband. now nc
more, had betrothed her. lie was an
orphan, brought up in our house, and
when he left us, he gained an honest and
respectable livelihood ana hoped, wher
he married my Miriam, that we would
.ave been raised from our penury. But
alas his eyes have been blinded by pros
perity, and lie is about to marry ricl
wife and desert my daughter"
"Woman why do you come about this
matter to me p asked the merchant; ''how
can | give your Miriam back her betroth
ed?'
"You can do sc," replied the widow
''for that young man will be Tomorrow
your son-in-law.'
Ben Abraham started back dismaye6
For some moments he did not speak. Af
ter awhile, however, he broke silence and
said to the old woman
''Did the young man love your Miriam?
IL am sure, very sure, he did,
~ will inquire into the NATTER" said
the merchant, turning away.
"Well now" spoke Raschi, as they as
cended the stairs together. "This is 6
bad business. However, see what mus
be done. BE generous give the young
woman, Miriam, a decent sum of money
'Come here to morrow interrupted
Abraham ''be present at the wedding
By that time l shall have decided, fol
myself. what is best to be done.'
On the morrow at the appointed hour
having finished his morning prayers. the
Rabbi Raschi betook himself to the palace
of him who was to lie his comrade il
Paradise. There he found a throng o
guests. of all ranks, filing the rooms
Music played, the tables groaned undel
viands Of the richest and most rare des
criptions. Raschi with difficulty pushee
his way through the crowd to the cham.
Der of the master. Ben Abraham wa
dressed in magnificent blue velvet robe
broideied with gold pomegranates, O
which the seeds were rubies. Aroun(
him were clustered the grandees of th'
town. On seeing Raschi, he, however
advanced towards him, and extended tc
him bis hand.
The wedding ceremony soon began i,
the court all was prepared an awnin.
was spread the bride, veied and il
white, was led forward 10y two ladies
Then came the bridegroom accompanied
by two gentlemen, and the guests follow
ed, each with lighted taper in the hand
From a balcony a band played, and choil
sang. A Rabbi read aloud and distinct
the contract, and the acceptance Of th'
bridegroom into partnership with himself
AS Abraham's donation Of the brid,. The
the bridegroom took ID gold ring and pac
ed it on the brides finger, with the words
"Be to M wed by means of this ring ac
cordn. to the law Of Moses and Of Israel.
The Rabbi then gave the pair hi
blessing. A crystal goblet was raised i
the air and then shivered to atoms on tn
pavement, and all the people shou,e
''Masel top! T. (good luck y
Ben Abraham, when this ceremony wa
concluded, stepped up to the bride, All
gently raised the veil from her face.
God Of our fathers T. cried the brid,
groom, staggering backwards, ut
Miriam !"
The crowd remained silent, as thoug
turned to stone, for the bride was nj
Abraham's daughter, but the child of tl
poor widow.
IL must explain this puzzle" said tf
merchant, smiling on the company; 9TH
girl was betrothed othis youth by her fatht
on his dealt. They were brought u
together and loved one another. ! kne
nothing of this; and when l found tn,
the young man was worthy and useful
the business, proposed to him that |
should become my son in lay. Out Of gra
itude for past favors, and in the hope
being able, as my partner, to assist h
poor relatives, he yielded to my persuasion
and promised to marry my daus ter
Only yesterday did ! ascertain the circun
stances of his previous engagement;
J knew then the reason of his frequent f
of depression. His heart was elsewhere
Through me, however, shall two hear
never he saddened. | have made him III