Litchfield enquirer., 1871-01-05
THE RIP VAN TWINKLE OF THE
 TALMUD.
SLEEPING SEVENTY SUMMERS.
THE RABBI CoN1AH.

The story of the Rabbi Coniah has been reproduced for the JeDish Messenger, and is chiefly remarkable from its blance in one or two particulars to the world re- nowned story of Rip Van Winkle, which Washington Irving gave to the world, and which has been revived in the drama by MT. Joseph Jefferson. The Rabbi was learned above his peers, and many rever- enced him for his wisdom and erudition. But he perceived not the necessity of that charity and fore thought which should in- duce individuals to make provision for those coming after them, and therefore he received the stern lesson.
 An old man was planting carob-tree, and displayed heartiness and zeal which seemed to indicate that he expected to en- joy the results of his labor. Boeiah regar- ded him with astonishment, and a certain degree of contempt. For it was tradi- tion of the Talmud that carob- tree does not bear fruit till seventy years after it has been planted.
 ''Do you expect to eat of the fruit of this tree ? the Rabbi asked with a shrug of disdain. Et
 ''Rabbi," answered the old man meekly, but with dignity, ''when was q little child this field abounded with carob-trees laden with fruit. My fathers had planted them for me; I plant this tree for my chil dren."
 Coniah turned away murmuring 'For We live in this world but brief period, and yet presume to provide for those who will come after us They must die as we'll merely for this world. Every man ought k<~ Ao, l,;o 1~y ga o,,A for a1t care or interest about the few days that he lot, or the lot of our children, is of little account. We are destined for heaven, and that is enough" ~a a
 While he was med1tatiug irr this .aaeaaner. Coniah lay down on the ground. Feelin g the sensation of hunger he drew forth from his pocket piece of bread, aud ate, con- tinuing his reflections. Presently he be- came drowsy, and fell asleep. He awoke not at all that day, nor during the night. The day returned and the night begun again, and still he slept. Thus passed many days and nights during which he awoke not. A wall of stone was erected over him by miracle, and shut him from the sight of men.
 Thus for years he lay incarcerated as in tomb. Generations passed away and nu- merous events occurred to change the as pect of the world. Finally seventy years were accomplished. and the stony sepul- cher disappeared, restoring Copiah once more to the light of day. He awoks as the sun ascended the meridian, and exclaimed: "Verily, have slept long It was . lit tie before dusk of evening when lay down and now the sun is midway in the sky" n9 ~ He arose and walked to the place where he had reproached the old man who plant ed the tree for posterity. Behold it was full grown, and g boy stood near to 1t eat 1 ing of it's fruit. Coniah accosted him:
 My young friend, who planted that Icarob-tree?" A 1
 .'Not l." replied the youth ;; flor it re- quires many years for such 2 tree to mature and yield it's fruit My father de clared to me that my grand planted 1 it."
 Coniah heard this with feeling of hor- TOT. There can be no mistake said lie to bimself. .sHere it is that l rebuked the old man and there I lay down and slept.