Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-10-28
The Story Of the Wandering Jew

Ihcie ar" probably persons in every
country In Europe although no compirt.
nation or sect. who still believ. il, TN.
Wandering jew, tile Undyiny one Who
wandcrs century after century over the
eafth's surface, yrarning for death that
never comes. Myths live long Ia the rustic
MUD after they have been discarded by
men OF the world and steady thinker,
This Is one OF them; and, like most Of the
others. its origin is lost in ob-curitv. al
though traceable with much probability
TO religious feeling, or to mistaken an
prehcnslon OF Scriptural passages
Rich collections of manuscripts have
been carefully examined by competent
men, to ascertain the most distant date to
which those legends or myths can be trac-
ed. The Oldest document at present known
on the subject was written about six hun
dred aud fifty years ago. in the REIN of
Henry III. The Book Of the Chronicle Of
ST. Adams abbey contains the following
narrative, as OF a contemporary event: one
day the tho patriarch or archbishop OF Ar
menia arrived at the abbey with small re-
tinue, including an Interpreter who could
make the patriarch and the abbot intelli-
gible TO each other. He had visited most
OF the celebrated shrines and holy places
In Eng land, and had now come TO see the
shrine of ST. Alban. Hospitality enter
tanned for many days, the patriarch held
much conversation with the abbott and the
monks. He was asked, amongst other
things, whether he had seen or heard
aught OF Joseph, mysterious being who
was reputed to have lived ever since the
early days of Christianity. The Patriarch
replied that he had not only heard OF this
undying one, but had been visited by him
In Armenia. The story told by the wand
erer was solemn one. On the day OF the
Crucitxion, tastaphilus (another name
borne by Joseph, porter in Pontius Pi-
late's house, struck Jesus on the back with
his hand, and bade him mockingly to move
on more quickly. A severe but mysterious
reproof was administered to him in reply
IL am going, and you will wait till my re-
turn" Castaphilus lived on century after
century, apparently no older than at first.
tie became a holy and religious man. mar
rating 10 bishops and divines events which
he had witnessed In the apostolic days. He
was always serious, accepted nothing but
food and rainment from his entertainers,
and looked out anxiously tor the last day.
Search appears to have beeen made in
vain for any mention of the Wanderer dur
Ing the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries :;
but quite early in the sixteenth we hear OF
Wandering jew who assisted weaver.
named kokOt, to discover in Bohemian
treasure which an ancestor Of the weavsr
was reported TO have hidden. The Jew Is
described as appearing like man seventy
years of age.
lew years afterwards the scene shifts,
and according 10 another legend the
Stranger makes his appearance in Arabia
When the city of Elvan was captured. Fad
hilah and three hundred horsemen pitched
their tents in the evening between the
mountains. When repeating his prayer to
Allah and Mohammed, Fadhilah heai all
his words echoed. Demanding who was
doing this Fadihilah saw approaching him
venerable man like dervish, with staff
In hand. The stranger stated that he came