Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-04-02


mean, suppose, must be a very old man, with
pale face, bowed knees, a long, white beard, his
eyes red with tears from accessive weeping for
the transgresSions OF Israel ever en-
gagged in prayer; who macerates his body and
trains his soul"
"There is no such man in Barcelona" an
swered the wood.cutter. Farewell"
Stay" exclaimed the Rabbi, OBTAINING him ;
" can you tell me anything of Abraham ben Ger
son ?"
" "Abraham ben Gerson2 ?" echoed the laborer ;
he is no saint. He is rich man, delicate
liver, keeps much company, and is in high ta-
vor with the Gentiles."
" Where does he live friend2'
! Follow me and will show you"
The Rabbi Raschi was brought by the wood
cutter before marble palace. Gayly compar-
soned horses stood at the door held by pages in
gallant liveries. He FASTENED 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 sculp-
tured, and silk curtains hung before the doors.
Noblemcn waited there, lounging on velvet So
fas, till the master OF the house could attend to
them. Servants, glittering with gold lace, hur-
ried about, bearing salvers of the most precious
metal, ON which were goblets of iced wines, and
plates with delicious coniections, which they
handed to the illustrious visitors.
Travel-stained dust-begrimmed, leaning on
his ruoe staff, his gaberdine in tatters, his long,
white beard untrimmed and the white hair Of
his head in tangled locks, unattended to, the
wondering Raschi stood entranced. A servant
approached him with golden salver on which
were wines. The old man raised his staff, and
with flashing eyes indignantly signed him to re-
tire
Suddenly, a silver bell tinkled Instantly the
mobiles rose, the servants started to the stairs
leading to the upper portion of the house, drew
back the brecade curtains that screened the as
sent, and ranged themselves in u line between
the stairs aud the entrance door.
ln another moment, IA noble looking Jew in u
crimson velvet dress, with gold chains about his
neck, appeared, accompanying Spanish prince
of royal blood conyersing with him tamliarly, as
they descended the steps, and AS he led him to
his door.
"Make way" said Rabbi Raschi, thrusting
his staff betwxt two of the liyeried servants,
81 make way for me-"
The master of the house stood still aud look ed
at him, then made sign to the domestics, who
fell back, and allowed the old man TO pass.
Raschi's cheek grew crimson. His hand trem-
bled as he thrust it forth and laid it on the arm
of the wealthy Jew.
care you Abraham, son of Gerson 2" he asked
in faltering tones,
I" am. What do you want with me, father r.
"I 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.
"I am Raschi ben Isaac" said the old man,
"and came here to seek you. | hoped to have
found pious Jew hnd one engaged in pomp
and worldliness. | hoped to have found one
fasting aud praying, and find one eating and
tralicing. | thought to have found the favorite
Of God, and find one the courted of princes aud
mobiles. Is this a house for Il Jew-a child of n
despised and outcast racer The temple leth
waste, and shall we live in luxury and splen-
dor -
81 feel houored in being visited by the illus
trous Raschi said Abraham.
ashamed shamed," exclaimed the rabbi.
" Are you not shamed before me, to exhibit all
this profusion 7"
=" Gods blessing has been on my business" 4"
said the merchant.
" And how do you recompense Himp said
the indignant Raschi. by negleotlng the gver,
by squandering the gilt DO you fast long2 Do
you wear the stones with your knees p
"My business occupies my time, and demands
my energies. pray, but cannot pray for long.
cannot fast, or my business could not be at
tended to-"
"Do YOU eat of meat, the flesh OF beasts not
slain by the Jewish butcher
81 have even done So"
" Have you partaken Of the accursed flesh OF
the swine?"
al fear that have"
"Have you neglected regular daily attendance
| at the synagogueW
/" MY attendance has been irregular"
" Alas alas /" cried Rasch, throwing down
his staff, and raising his hands to heaven,
Surely 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
| - alfa.l. hal I.g
poverty, and the kingdom of heaven receives
both, and sets both level. Woe is me ~
and he would have rushed from the chamber,
had not the merchant stayed him.
"Rabbi," he said 4" know my duty to God
and man. and practice it as best can"
"Profane one ~ exclaimed the old man.
" Trust not to your own strength. When the
ungody are as green 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 was written the name
of the merchant
"Come with me, said Abraham, taking the
old mans hand "tO-morrow my daughter is to
be married, and to-day am going to make pres
ents to the poor Of our tribe. They are now as
sembled to receive my aims"
" And to whom is your daughter to be mar
ried % asked Raschi. To rich Gentle, may
be-"
"No, answered the merchant, mildly to
my clerk lie is not wealthy, but he is upright
and useful, and on his marriage | shall make
him my partner"
They descended the stairs to the hall in which
the poor were assembled. The rieh jew gave
them abundant aims, and as each received his
gifl he left. One old woman remained. She
pressed forward, and Abraham extended to her a
little purse.
"No I" she exclaimed thrusting the money
aside ~ have not come here to beg, but for
advise"
"Speak, wherein can advise your Draw
nearer to me-"
The woman approached him aud began; " !
am poor widow, hardly supporting four chil-
dren. All my hopes were fixed on the marriage
of my eldest daughte to him TO whom my dear