Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-06-01
TIE HONEST JEW.


Frankfort is the Juden strasse, or Jews
street, the Old Jewry of that celebrated
city. Although in the very heart OF
town, it is quiet, and not much FREE
quented. A people distinguished only
for great wealth, who rarely make use
of it, and only hoard it in their Golfers
without contributing to beautify the
city in which they reside, will rarely
attract others toward them; and there
fore the Juden strasse, at the date of
this story, represented but small num-
Der Of the busy residents of Frankfort.
In one of the houses dwelt Jew,
whose love of gain, if indeed such
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 outward poverty disappearance.
will not say that he was not earnest
ly 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 was enthroned a pure
principle of honor and justice, perfectly
incorruptible, to the loss of which
wealth and honors could not bride, nor
poverty compel him.
The wife of Ben-Heber Rothschild
was tit 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 eyes and raven hair, distinguish
ed for the peculiar purple tint that
flashes over it in the suns rays, just as
they gleam over the ring.doyes neck,
Sara Rothschild was as good as she
was beautiful.
Their house was neat and tastefully
ordered. Although the furniture was
all of simple form, yet it was made of
rare old wood, that would now brin g
its weight in gold. One closet was
devoted to sets OF differently fashioned
and painted Dresden china-the heirs
looms of families who had been i'm
poverished, and who were glad to let
them lie in the Jews closet while they
lived upon the money they brought
Alb, how few could redeem them! This
closet was often carelessly exposed to
strangers, 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 wonld have i'm
agined that behind Its seemingly secure
back there was an inner one that COLI
tanned princely inheritances in gold and
diamonds. This was the trust-closet-
so constructed that the closest inspec-
ton would not reveal its existence, and
in it were hidden not the treasures
that extravaganza had pawned, and for
which the worthy Jew was receiving
profits, but simply those which had
been intrusted to his integrity to keep,
and for which accommodation he would
never be paid.
One night, when the family was
about to retire to rest, faint knock
was heard at the door, land was answered
by the mas ter of the house. A gentle
man, plain and simple in bis dress, and
carrying nothing, not even cane, with
which to defend himself, appeared on
the steps. His person was wholly un-
known to the Jew, and it seemed that
this was equally so to the stranger, for
he was particular in asking for him by
name.
He ushered his visitor to the room
where his wife was still sitting, as he
left her, in front of the famous closet,
which stood with its wide glass doors
quite open. At first the stranger
seemed half disposed to object to the
presence of the lady, but when she
turned her head and acknowledged his
own presence by bow, while her
grave and serene countenance relaxed
into a smile he seemed content that she
should stay and witness his business
her husband. This was soon unfolded.
The visitor was German prince, who,
from some political or personal reason,
was forced to flee from Frankfort. He
had heard of the purity and upright
ness of the man with whom be had
come to deal, and be wished to place
all he had in the world under bis
charge, If he would accept the trust.
"Iewish only said the prince, "to
retain enough for my expenses to a