The Jewish advance., 1879-08-22
II.
ELCHANAN'S ILLNESS.

ELCHANAN's ILLNESS.
A few weeks later deep grief pre-
vailed in the house of Rabbi Simeon.
Elchanan became very ill; the life of
that bright and hopeful child was in
great danger. The Rabbi and his wife
were sitting at the sick-bed sorrowfully
watching their beloved child, and Mar
garet, the nurse, was busying herself
with preparing and handing the bever-
age which Rabbi Nathan, the physician,
had prescribed for the invalid. 1t was
a heartrending sight to view the little
sufferer laboring under the strong fever
that befell him. He restlessly moved
about in his bed with burning face and
forehead. He called in delirious fancy
for his parents, talked to his brothers
and playmates, and repeated whatever
sentence or prayer he had learned by
heart. He would call in the most plain
tive tones for his nurse; but when she
approached him, he would push her
away, violently screaming. He would
then fall back exhausted, crying: " El
czanom mochlatho benoam zehashpar." !"
Rabbi Nathan, the physician, once en-
tered the room just when the child
made such an exclamation. He was as
tonished to hear such expressive words
from the lips of the delirious child, and
looked inquiringly at Rabbi Simeon
:" 1t is verse of poem which [ have
composed for the New Years day." an
swered the father to the inquiring glance
of the physician. "The boy came into
my study and found the manuscript on
the table. He rejoiced to see his name
at the beginning Of that poem. [ ex-
planned to him the meaning Of the SEN
tence and he learned it by heart"
" [ told you oftentimes, Rabbi" re-
Joined the physician, that you exert
too much the brain of that child Chill
dren of his age should have no mental
exertion whatever, until their physical
strength is sufficiently developed. Your
boy is very ILL.," he continued, shaking
his head as he examined the invalid,
and he must be watched with the
greatest care. He has a strong fever,
the crisis of which is not to be expected
before the ninth day from this date.
But 1 would not advise you all three to
watch him together. Your own health
may be affected by overwork."
The Rabbi need not watch here at
all, said the worthy housewife. His
health is altogether taxed too much
without that by constant studying, writ
ing and teaching. Margaret and myself
can change off with one another at the
sick-bed and the Rabbi should retire to
rest himself"
The advice of the physician was fol-
lowed. Rabbi Simeon retired to his
apartment, agreeable to the desire of
his wife, and the latter changed off with
Margaret at the bedside of the sick
child. One evening, when the mother
was persuaded by the urgent request of
the faithful nurse to retire for few
hours rest, the girl was left alone by
the invalid. Elchanan fell into rest
less sleep, and his nurse watching him
sank into deep revery. Her thoughts
ran to the following effect:
" Poor child You are so young, and
unmerciful death is already claiming
you. There is not even the hope of
heavenly bliss for your soul, for you are
of the accursed Jewish race that cruel
fed God You are so beautiful and so
bright, and I love you so afectionately !!
Oh, if l could only save you, my dear,