Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-01-19
The Rip Van WnkIe of, the Taimud.

been reproduced fost the .}etcish Messenger
and is chiefly rcgarkable for its resem.
blance, in one ortwo particulars to the
world.enowned stfy of Rip Van Wrinkle
which Washington Irving gave TO the
world, and which iss been revived in the
drama by Mr., Joeph Jefferson, The
Rabbi was learnes above his peers, and
many reverenced hh for his wisdom and
erudition. But hcpcrceived not the ne
cesslty of that chisity and forcthought
which should indtki individuals to make
provision for thosS coming after them,
and therefore ile revived the stern lesson
An old nan was planting a caroh tree,
and displayed hea siness and zeal which
seemed to indicate rat he expected % en-
Joy the results Of lis labor Coniah re-
e,,r,ed him with asbnishment, and Ger
tain degree OF contcapt. For ii Is q tra-
dition Of the Talmpl that carob btree does
not bear fruit ~ ieyenty years after 1T
has aeea planted.
"Do you expect to eat of the fruit of
this trec?" the Raobi asked with shrug
of disdain.
"Rabbi,' answered the old man meekly,
but with dignity, when | was a little
child this field abounled with caroh-trees
laden With fruit Ny fathers had planted
them for me plalt this tree for my
children"
Coniah turneG awss murmuring. For
his children. Hind, how blind we are.
We live in this world but brief period,
and yet presumeto provide for those who
viii come after ls They must die as well
as We Our existence was not given us
merely for this world. Every man ought
to consider his ieavealy life, and forego
all care or interest about the few days that
he and others Will spend here, What is
our lot, or the lot of our children, is of
little account We are destined for heaven,
and that is enOuLh.'
While he wa, meditating in this man.
ner, Coniah lay down upon the ground
Feeling the sensaio" Of hunger he drew
forth from his pocket piece of bread, and
ate, continuing is reflection Presently
he became drowy, and tell asleep, He
aw0ke not all tat day, nor during the
night The day returned and the night
begtm again, ant still he slept. Thus
passed many days and nights during which
he awoke not Avail of stone was erect.
ed over him by II miracle, and shut him
from the sight OF nen.
Thus for years lie lay incarcerated as in
a tomb Generations passed away, and
numerous events occurred to change the
ASPECT Of the work. Finally seventy years
1 were accomplished, and the stony sopul.
cbre disappeared, restoring Coniah once
more to the light Il the day. He awoko
az the sun ascende, the meridian, and cX-
claimed
Verify, ] have slept long. 1t was q
little before the disk of evening when |
lay down. and nov the sun is midway in
tbs sky
He arose and walked 10 the place where
he had reproachcd he old man who plant
cd the tree for posnrity, Behold, it was
ally grown, and a boy stood near to It,
eating OF its fruit, Ioniah accostcd him:
" My young frietd, who plentel that
Sarob treeY'
Not l." replied he youth; "for it re-
quircs many years for such tree to ma
turc and yield its fruit My father de.
eiared to me that ny grniather planted
it,
ConAh heard thB with feeling Of
horror There canbe no mistake said
he to himself, Hep it is that | rebuked
the old man, and thFe | lay down and
SlGllL 4 llt LItt tttHa lIult, tlHl iAhfi
been sleeping for seventy years"
Full of anxiety, lie directed his foot
steps toward tue city where he had dwelt.
But be soon paused ut sad bswldermcnt.
The old path had gene, and the familiar
trees and landmark, had disappeared.
The houses had put oa an unfamiliar ap
pearapce. Everything around him was
strange and new,
At length he discovered the way and
he came to the city. 4 multitude s8armed
in the streets. Coniah looked sharply, h'it
no face could lac desery that had been ever
known 10 him. Once he had q host Of
admirers but now he was not recognized
by anyone For him WAS no welcome, no
word Of greeting 4 terrible sense Of
isolation came over him. lie was alone
IN the midst Of that crowd, ~ much so as il
he had been in the solitude OF desert
Bitter was the anguish Of that hour. 4
faint hope only remained 70 mitigate the
fierceness Of his dispair
No more said he TO himself, "no
more have | friends and acquaintances
But my family yet remains TO me. With
ton and peace"
With throbbing heart he hastened 10
the house whore he had dwelt. Bat as he
went along his confidence abated. He
could not recognize his home, neither the
walls nor the roof Everything was new.
With feeling Of hesitation he entered.
Children were at play their mother aided
in their sports, willis the father, a hale
middle-aged men, was at his work. The
moment C0niah was perceived, al were
still, and regarded him with apprehension
and looks Of suspicion Addressing him.
self TO the man, hc said
Call for me the ron Of C0niah' >
"'rha son Of r'eniah.'' exclaimed the
man in astonishment. lie has long since
slept with his fathers
WHO then, arc you?n CoBiah askcd
"I am the grandson of Conhh'
Oyerioyed, Coniah extended his arms %
embrace him, cxcIaiming ! i'm your
grandfather"
But the grandson eluded bis carcsses
and replied, with preat astOnishment:
You my grandfather? No! ! never
saw YOU, and ] know you no"
TN distracted Coniali began 70 tell the
story Of his wonderful sleep, and 10 en-.
treat for the affection 81 bis grandson
But the iatterghoOk bis bead and answered /;
You may remain here with me and do
what you please But do not ASK ray love
/ have never seen yon before and | know
you moi"
So Coniah remained. But his life Was
wretched There was no memory ~ con
meet him with bin family and endear thea
10 each other He was in solitude
although surrounded by living persons
for they had never seer him before, and
their hearts we're not opened toward him
,.-...r. sf.er. a. "a, ~ esp~ lt4,