Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-07-27
Selected Miscellany.
STORIES FROM THE OPERA.

L IL
ecution at time when to deceive and per
ecute the Jewish race was regarded as 6
christian virtue. Lazarus, the jewelel
nth his daughter Rachel, had taken uI
lis residence Ill the city OF Constance after
e had been driven out OF Rome, and lived
here as peacefully and quietly as one OF
is race could hope in Catholic country
.uring the early part of the fourteeth cen
ury. His little shop and home fronted Oh
he grand square, and directly opposite tc
he cathedral. But this circumstance
which would ordinarily be regarded as par.
icularly pleasant, really led to the frs
,opnlar outbreak against him.
ffhe occasion was that of a holiday, not
MY in the modern sense of the word, but
the original meaning OF holy day and the
ntire populace was IN the streets, first to
celebrate n church and afterward IL feast
NO, dancing, and caroasing. As the peo.
,le were entering the cathedral they heard
be sound OF workmans hammer oppo-
ite and rushed into the Jew shop to find
INA breaking one of their feast days by
acrilegious work. They seized both La.
lrus and Rachel, and, with cries of ven.
eance, were about to drag them to instant
0ndemnation and punishment, when they
ere met by Cardinal Brogni in full robes.
nd entering the church for service. He
3cogniEed Lazarus at once.
81 have seen you before" said the card
lal; ''what does this mean?"
eyes, you once banished me from
ome," replied the Jew. bitterly, ''and
0w / suppose you will Danish me from
ere. But when / knew you last you did
ot wear sacerdotal robes. You had q wife,
child
'Hush, hush!" whispered the cardinal.
Respect q husband fathers grief, and
III save you"
Cardinal Brogni was as good as his word,
spersed the populace, and commanded
at the Jew and his daughter should be
alone. Rachel, in her youthful con-
enee, took this to be permanent protec-
n, but her father knew the nature of his
rsecntors too well to believe in it. His
spieions were right, for it was not an
ar after that they were set upon again
the people, this time for daring to tread
on church steps.
Follow the example of Him who first
pelled the usurersp cried one.
Cast ont the vile racer cried another.
Throw them into the lakeP' cried a third,
| this gas taken up by the crowd and
uld probably have been put into execu-
4, had not a young man rushed upon
scene, into whose arms Rachel threw
self with all the confidence oflove.
Back! Stand back, [ say" shouted the
g-comer, as he drew his sword menac-
ly.
sachel was terrified at her lovers teme-
but her terror gave way to surprise
3n the crowd and the soldiers really fell
K, taking off their hats, and whispering
ing themselves as though they recog-
ed some one of authority in the young
I who came upon the scene so oppor-
ely. At all events. she and her father
g saved, and, in company with their
server, they Withdrew into their house,
re to meet number of their race, and
cuss the exciting events of the day.
IL
Rachel seemed to combine all the per-
ial beauties of her race. and added to
sse the gentleness and trust that are
her the characteristics of Christian Wo-
tRhOod. 1t was not strange that she
ould have attracted love nor that she
ould have given her heart and life to the
.ndsome young man whom she knew as
.muel, whom she believed to be of her
gn race, and who was known among the
nall circle of Jews as an artist of great
lent and greater promise. But the singu-
r effect of his presence, and evident au-
lority among the people who had threat
ned her life and her fathers, troubled her
xceedingly. Yet she found no immediate
opportunity of demanding an explanation,
5 the guests in the house took their places
round the humble board to partake of the
Inleavened bread which lazarus gave to
them, with prayer calling down blessings
upon the faithful, and curses upon the
traitor who should abandon the religion of
ais father.
Rachel was troubled more than ever
when she noticed that Samuel, instead of
eating the bread as the others did, threw
it surreptitously under the table. But ali
explanation was interrupted again by loud
knocking at the door, and a demand for
admission in the emperor's name. Laza-
rus told Rachel and his guests to with
draw, but requested Samuel to remain, ad-
ding:
''Your strong arm may be needed again
to help me. A visit at this hour can be
made tor no good purpose.
The poor was opened and woman APP
peared on the threshold. Samuel could
retain an outcry of surprise and
dismay as he saw her, but his embarrasse-
ment was unobSeryed.
"What is your wish?" asked Lazarus.
II will tell you presently" answered
the strange lady, ''but, first, who is this
man."
Samuel was careful to keep his face turn
ed from the new-comc and Lazarus an
swered for him:
He is painter of great repute, and a
friend who has given me many proofs OF
his love. But he shall withdraw if you
wish it.
mo, it is not necessary. My visit is no
secret. 1 am Eudossia, the emperor S
niece.
s'Oh, heavensl Are you indeed the prin-
cess? exclaimed Lazarus, as he fell upon
his knee.
eyes, but rise, my good man. I am
told that you possess a jewel of great
value" =
1T is true, madame. l have chain, a
holy relic that is said to have been worn
by Constantine, which l have saved for
some great monarch.
'It shall presently adorn the neck of
another hero, worthy of it, who shall have
this evidence of my love and faith" said
the Princess Eudossia, ''Let me see it at
once."
Lazarus produced the chain, rubbing his
hands in glee at the prospect of the gold it
should bring him, while Samuel, who
should have shared the joy, seemed to be
more cast down than ever. The chain was
all that had been promised for it. and the
princess was so delighted that she did not
question the exorbitant price of 0,000 du-
cats that Lazarus put upon it.
ssEngrave the names of leopold and
Eudessia' upon it." she added, land be
sure to have it done tomorrow, as L wish
in the emperor's presence to place it upon
that heart which beats only for me-"
1t was only after the princess had gone
that Rachel found an opportunity to talk
With her lover alone, and then, as she
heard him come near her, TN indefinable
dread seized her, which expressed itself in
j shudder.
Does the very sight of me, then, bring
terror to the woman | lover asked the
young man.
"Do lot come near mel exclaimed
Rachel. ''How do know but that, prof
esslng love, you bring only perjury and
dlshonor, when you are enveloped III my
stery, and when l find you pale and con-
fused2"
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