The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-04-06
THE HONEST JEW.

~
Frankfort is the Juden strasse, or Jews
street, the Old Jewry of that celebrated
city. Although in the very heart of the
town, it is quiet, and not much fire.
quented. A people distinguished only
tor great wealth, who rarely make use of
it. and only hoard itin their Golfers with
out contributing TO beautify the city in
which they reside, will rarely attract
others toward them; and therefore the
Juden strasse, at the date of this story,
represented but a small number OF the
busy residents of Frankfort.
In one of the houses dwelt Jew,
whose love of gain, if indeed such a
passion had entered into his soul, was
under the full domination of his honesty
and integrity. These were jewels which
he priced far above the golden and
precious stones with which his brethren
sought to solace themselves for their out
ward poverty of appearance.
will not say that he was not earnestly
seeking for means to provide against the
future contingencies of fortune, and to
lay up something for the little ones who
sat around his board but high above all
these we're enthroned pure principal of
honor and justice, perfectly incorrupti-
BILE, to the loss of which wealth and
honoFs could not bribe, nor poverty COM
pei him.
The wife of Ben-Heber Rothschild was
fit companion for such man. Stately
as an eastern princess, and beautiful as
only her own race can be, in the wealth
and brilliancy of her deep black
ewes and raven hair, distinguished for
the peculiar purple tint that flashes
over it in the suns rays, just as they
CLEAN over the ring-doye's neck, Sara
Rothschild was as good as she was beau
tiful.
Their house was neat and tastefully
ordered. Although the furniture was
all of simple form, yet it was made oi
a rare old wood, that would now bring
its weight in gold. One closet was de.
voted to sets of difarently-fash
and painted Dresden china-the heir
looms of families who had been impover-
ished, and who were glad to let them lie
| in the jews closet while they lived
upon the money they brought. All, how
few could redeem them! This closet
was often carelessly exposed to stran-
gers, and its wealth of beautiful cups
and plates was the theme of many lips.
as they were. the admiration of the
children of Ben-Heber. They indeed.
never tired of gazing upon the paint
ings and fine gliding that enriched the
china
Although the outer closet was thus
fearlessly exposed, few would have I'M
agined that behind its seemingly secure
back there was an inner one that con
! tained princely inheritance in gold ano
| diamonds. This was the trust-closet-
so constructed that the closest inspec
ton would not reveal its existence, ant
in it were hidden-not the treasures
that extravagance had pawned, and fol
which the worthy Jew was receiving
/ profits, but simply those which had beer
/ intrusted to his integrity to keep, ant
/ for which accommodation he woulf
never be paid.
One night, when the family was abou
to retire to rest, faint knock was hear'
at the door, and was answered by tn
master of the house. A gentleman, plail
1 and simple in his dress, and carrying
nothing, not even cane, with which t
defend himself, appeared on the step;
His person was wholly unknown to tn
Jew. and it seemed that he was equal,
SO to the stranger, for he was particula
in asking for him by name.
He ushered his visitor to the room
where his wife was still sitting, as he LEI
her. in front of the famous closet, whicl
stood with its wide glass doors quit
open. At first the stranger seemed hal
disposed to object to the presence of tn
lady, but when she turned her head an
acknowledged his own presence by
! bow, while her grave and serene couI
tenance relaxed into smile, he SCENE
content that she should stay and witne:
his business with her husband. Til
was soon unfolded. The visitor was
German prince, who, from some politics
: or personal reason, was forced to flee frol
e Frankfort. He had heard of the purit
a and uprightness of the man with who
he had come to deal, and he wishe
to place all he had in the world und
|, his charge, if he would accept Il
8 trust.
It 'sI wish only said the prince, 6
g retain enough for my expenses to
: foreign land. Once. there, it will
: hard if / cannot find something {
. which to exercise my wits sufficiently
, make living. If nothing offers near
d / shall shape my course to that lal
d where all who are in trouble fro
N political persecution can find HON
:. and where persevering industry and
tegrity seldom go unrewarded."
u The Jew promised, and asked when
N would bring his treasures SO thathe mig
g be able at a private meeting to arran
their business.
a. have them here" answered t
re prince drawing from beneath his vest
wide girdle.