Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-04-02
NUMBER l3.

blinded by prosperity, aud he is about to marry
u rich wife and desert my daughter
woman why do you come about this mat
ter to me2' asked the merchant. " How can
give your Miriam back her betrothed2'
"Iou can do so" replied the widow, d" for
! that young man will be tomorrow your son-in-
law
Don Abraham started back dsmayed. For
some moments he did not speak, After while,
however, he broke the silence and said to the old
woman
Did the young man love your Miriam ~
! " | am sure, very sure, he did
al will inquire into the matter, said the mer-
chant turning away.
"WelI, now, spoke Raschi as they ascended
the stairs together, "this is bad business.
However, see what must be done Be gener-
ousi give the young woman, Miriam, a decent
SUN OF money"
Come here Tomorrow interrupted Abra-
ham be present at the wedding. BY that
time shall have decided for myself what is best
to be done"
On the morrow at the appointed hour, having
finished his morning prayers, the Rabbi RNschi
! betook himself to the palace Of him who was to
be his comrade in Paradise. There he found n
throng OF guests, of all ranks, filling the rooms.
Music played, and tables groaned under yiauds
of the richest and most rare descriptions.
Raschi with difficulty pushed his way through the
crowd to the chamber of the master, Don
Abraham was dressed in magnificent blue vel
vet robe, bordered with gold pomegranates, of
which the seeds were rubies. Around him were
clustered the grandees of the town. On seeing
Rasch he, however, advanced toward him, aud
extended to him his haud.
The wedding ceremony soon began In the
court all was prepared an awning was spread
the BRIDE veiled and in white, was led forward
by two ladies'. Then came the bridegroom
compauied by two gentlemen, and ibe guests
EAl t.fsh NNtth I,,ht In hia ham
From a balcony band played, and chors sang.
A rabbi read aloud aud distinctly the contract,
and the acceptance of the bridegroom into part
nership with himself, as Abrahams donation to
the bride. Then the bridegroom took IA gold
ring and placed it on the brides finger, with
the words g BE to me wed by means of this
ring, according to the law of Moses aud of
| lsreal."
The rabbi then gave the pair his blessing.
crystal goblet was raised in the air, aud then
shWered to atoms on the pavement aud all the
people shouted " MdSel too" (good luck y
Don Abraham, when the ceremony was cop-
cluded stepped up to the bride, aud gently
raised the veil from her face.
b" God OF our fathers ~ cried the bridegroom,
staggering backward, " il is Miriam /"
The crowd remained silent, AS though turned
to stone, for the bride was not Abraham's
daughter, but the child of the poor widow.
:" must explain this puzzle" said the mer-
chant, smiling on the company. This girl was
| betrothed to this yoHth by her father on his
deah-bed They were brought up together, and
! loved one another. | knew nothing OF this
and when found that the young man was wor-
thy aud useful in the business, | proposed to
him that he should become my son-nlaw. Out
of gratitude for past Gvors and in the hope of
| being able, as my partner, to assist his poor
relatives, he yielded 30 my persuasion, and
promised to marry my daughter. Only yester-
day did | ascertain the circumstances of his
previous engagement knew then the reason
Of his frequent fits of depression. His heart was
elsewhere. Through me, however, shall two
hearts never be saddened. | have made him my
partner, aud given him the widows daughter 10
| wife"
The newly married couple fell at his feet,
thanking him with tears, aud the people gave
great shout of applause.
Then Rasohi, laying about him with his staf,
beat himself IA way through the multitude, aud,
pressing up to the merchant, he burst into tears,
and, throwing himself his neck, embraced
him, and raising his hands cried, eyes you
are worthy To reach gan eden paradise y Glory
be to God who has given me such man as thou
to be my companion for eternity Glory be 10
God, who has not made Que rough road alone to
paradise, but has made many roads beside who
has prepared IA throne, not for the fasting ascetc
and eontempative alone but also for him who
can do what is right and just freely ~