The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-23
THE HONEST JEW
be Story orthe Eirst Of the RothschIIds.

In one OIL tue most retired quarters 0i
Frankfort Is the Judep 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
| lor great wealth, who rarely make use
| of it, and only hoard it in their Golfers
without contributing to beautity the city
| in Which they reside, will rarely attract
others toward them; and therefore the
j uden strasse, at the date OF this story,
Represented but small number OF the
busy residents Of Frankfort.
| In one of the houses dwell Jew,
whose love Of gain, il indeed such q
passion had entered into his soul, was
under the ull domination OF his honesty
and integrity. These were jewels which
he priced far above the golden aud
precious stones With which his brethren
sought to solace themselves for their
! outward poverty of appearance.
Will not say that he was not earnest
ly seeking tor means to provide against
the future contingencies OF fortune, and
to lay up something for the little ones
who sat around his board; Tut high
above all these was entnroned a pure
principal Of honor and justice, perfectly
incOrruptible, to the loss o.. which
wealth and honors could not bribe, nor
poverty COmpel nln.
The wife oI 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 brllliancy OF her deep black eyes
and raven hair, distinguished for. the
peculiar purple tint that flashes over it
in the SUMS rays, just as they gleam
over the rlng-doye's neck, Sara Roth
Schild was as good as she was beautiful.
Their house was neat and tasJelully
ordered. Although the furniture was,
all OF a simple form, yet it was made Of
a rare old wood, that would now bring
its weight in gold. One closet was de-
voted TO sets OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and painted Dresden cnina-the heir
looms of families who had been lmpoVer-
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 strau-
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 ofgazing upon the paintings
and fine gliding that enricned the
china.
Although the outer closet was thus
fearlessly exposed, few would have i'm
ugtned that behind its seemingly secure
back there was an inner one that con-
tanned princely inheritances in gold and
diamohds. This was tae tFusJ-closet-
so Constructed that the closest In6pec-
ton would notreveal its existence, and
in it were htdden-not the treasures
that extravaganza had pawned, ana for
which the worthy jew was receiving
profits, but simply those which had been
Inurus ted to his integrity to keep, and
for which accommodation he would
never be paid. H"
One nigut, when the family was about
to retire TO rest, a. faint knock was
heard at the door, aud was
ans wered by the master of the house.
A gentleman, plaln and simple in his
dress, and carrying nothing, not even a
caGe, with WINCH 10 detend himself,
appeared on the steps. His person was
wholly unknown 10 the Jew, and 1t
seemed that this was equally SO TO the
stranger, for he was particular in asking
for him by name.
lie uShered his visitor to the room
where his wife was still sitting, as be
letG BeF, in front of the famous closet,
which stood With its wide glass doors
quite open. At first the stranger
the presence of the lady, but wnen she
turned her head and acknowledged his
own presence by bow, while her grave
and serene eountenance relaxed into D
smile he seemed content that sue should
stay and witness his business with her
husband. This was soon unfolded
rhe visitor was IL German prince, who,
from some political OF personal reason,
was forced to flee from Frankfort. lie
nad heard OF the purity ana uprightness
OF the man with whom he had come tC
deal, and he wished TO place all he had
IN the world under his charge, if he
| would accept tue trust.
Il wish only" said the prince, ste
retain enough for my expenses to a
iorelgn land. Odce there, it will &c
| nara If L eau not ind something on
which to exercise my wits sufficiently IT,
mak4 q LIVING. III nothing otf5rS nearer
shall shape my ccufse TO that land
where all VINO are Intreuble rom politlea,
persecution eau tinl a home, ana where
perse4ering industry ami intesrlty
seldom 20 unreWardeu."
The jew Promised, and asked When he
would bring his tfeas u.es 50 that he
mignt be able at u private meeting u
arrange then business.
II nave them here" answered the
prince drawing rom beneath his vest .
wide glrdle.
On examination 1t was found to press
apart with a secret spring, and in it.
reces ssess, which were oeepiy lined witt
soft wool, was lound a. collection OF the
most precious and dazzliug stones tina
ever greeted the eyes oI the jew. Dla
monds, Wnose lustre was like s,ar
rubies, emeralds ana sapphires, each Of
which was worth prlncIpalIty, Were il
turn admired and commented on, ant
| taken account OF. IL was past midnigh
I wnen the examination ended, and Lht
accounts were finished.
| "Now," said the prince, II would tail
see where my treasure is W lie, that il
case auytulng should happen 10 you 0
you: vile might know Whece TO seel
It,"
| ''rhat is precaution OF only common
prudence," answered tne Jew. "Yul
snail yourself seelt put into place. q
safety, from Which 1t VIII not be remove
until your retufn, save by circumstanee
which even Will demaAd the Sacrifice G
my iite."
The shutters were closed, to- preven
l all prying eyes. Tne jew and his viii
removed the china from one side OF til
Icloset, and then the former CAREFUL
slipped asidea panel wnicn had been s
.iDeautilully titled in, thatno one ignoran
OF the secret could haye detectea 1t, an
ilovprnd thni pirIi ln inLo n recertacla he