The Jewish advance., 1879-08-15

eyes were dimmed with tears, while
their hearts were moved and thrilled with
holy tremor. Rabbi Akiba solemnly
raised his hands above their heads and
pronounced the following words:
May God bless you and preserve
you, may God cause his countenance to
shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
may God lift up his countenance unto
you, and grant you peace"
When the Rabbi had finished his
blessing, the narrow door of the cell
could be heard turning upon it's hinge,
and Papus, the Samaritan was brought
there bound in chains, and with his feet
in irons.
"Are you also here?" asked Rabbi
Akiba; " are you not the darling of Ru-
fus, and the friend of Severus ?"
"Alas p replied Papus, whose coun-
tenance was pale, and who trembled
with anger, alas when [ ended my
plot they plotted against me when [
finished my revenge, vengeance was re-
turned to my bosom Through my
strong hatred to Shimeon Bar Cochba,
and towards all the Jews, [ murdered
the king of that contemplate people. [
was also the cause of the death of his
beloved Keturah, and of her father Ellie
ger Hamodai my reports against you,
Akiba, were so severe that you have
been condemned to death, and all the
mighty soldiers of Bethar [ caused to
be butchered through my unfaithfulness
towards them, and my revenge and jeal
ousy was finally satisfied. And now,
when I desire to enjoy the fruits Of my
labor, now, when [ expected to receive
honor, glory and wealth for all the work
that [ did for Rufus and Severus, now,
alas now [ am condemned to death
The tyrant Rufus hates me in his heart,
because it is disgrace and shame to him
to see the man who held his life at his
disposal at the time when Shimeon cap
tured the fortress of C@sarea through
my cunning, for [ then saved Rufus
life He is also afraid of me lest re-
veal his cruelties, and make known his
perfdy and unfaithfulness to the Roman
emperor Severus dislikes me, because
he fears that Hadrian may discover that
it was only through me that he con-
quered the fortress of Bethar and all
the fortified cities of Judah, which would
prevent him from receiving praise and
glory. They gave me permission to do
as [ desired, and to commit every ini-
quity, and they elevated me above all the
great aristocrats and wealthy citizens.
The army officers and the lords of the
empire became jealous of me, for they
saw that my power and fame waxed
greater every day, and they could no
longer bear my overbearing haughtiness,
so they unanimously declared to Rufus
that they could no longer serve such an
unscrupulous, unprincipled and mean
perfume-vender like myself. At these
words the eyes of Rufus beamed with
gladness, so that easily comprehended
that it was at his command that the
lords complained against me.
6 [ also have heard" replied Rufus,
" I also have heard that he does actions
in my name which should not be DONE
and now I will prove to the world that I
enforce the law even upon my dearest
and best friend
These words astonished me, confused
my thoughts, and I stood gazing in silent
wonder When l heard loud voices of
jeering laughter in my ears, some soldiers
put my feet in irons, and bound me in
heavy chains Then my mind was
reused from CONSERVATION, and | angrily
exclaimed to Rufus
Rejoice not at my downfall, you
murderer and tyrant, you, also, will be
punished for your unfaithfulness toward
me, as | have been punished for my un-
faithfulness towards others. The en-
peror Hadrian will never pardon you for
having destroyed his cleverest servant"