The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-12-31
A Romantic Story.

One dull afternoon III the month ot
September last year, Abraham, 8
handsome young Jew, presented him.
self at our Office, and stated that he
was about to sail that evening fol
America, where he had previously re.
sided for somo time, thereby becoming
an American citizen. The object OF
his visit was TO solicit our assistance
drawing up power of attorney in
favor of friend, also an American
citizen, in whose hands he desired to
leave his interests at home during his
absence. The document was duly
signed and witnessed. and the youth
that same afternoon left his native
shore to seek fortune in the far of
land of his adoption. After the lapse
of few months the friend who held
the power of attorney called to ask
our advice under the following circum-
stances: Abraham, before he left, had
fallen in love with a pretty Jewish
maid named Leah and proposed to
make her his wife; but as she was the
daughter of a poor widow with other
children, and as Abraham had to seek
his fortune in q foreign land. it was
agreed that they should become be-
trothed and wait until Abraham earn
cd the means of providing home.
Leah and her mother thought that
when she was out of sight Abraham
might change his mind, or that some
fair stranger might steal away her
lovers heart. 1t was therefore deem
ed advisable that she sho uld bind him
to his engagement in bond of S4OO,
and when the matter was proposed to
him he said he had no objection, pro-
vided the bond was made equally
binding ON either side, which was &C.
cordingly done, and each was duly
bound in penalty of $400 to be true
and faithful to the other. Sureties
were found on either side, the surety
of Leah being one Moses, who made
light of his suretyship. Scarcely.
however, had Abraham reached his
destination when rich Jew from AL
giers visited our city, and went to the
Jewish schools in which Leah was en-
ployed as a teacher. He was much
struck by her modest demeanor. as we'll
as by the ability which she displayed
in the discharge of her duties. He in
quired who she was, and soon after
ward called upon her mother and pro-
posed to marry her. The widow told
him of Leah's engagement and bond,
but the ardor of his love was only
infamed the more by these difficulties
in the way of his desires. He reasoned
that Abraham would soon forget her,
that he might die or fail in his attempts
to acquire q fortune, and that she had
better secure home and fortune
when she had the chance. In short,
he generously offered to provide for
the whole family and pay the peualty
of S4OO besides. Leah at last yielded
to the tempting offer, and the pair
presented themselves TO Rabbi Morde-
Cal Ben Geo for tho purpose of making
the necessary arrangements for the
marriage. The rabbi objected, on the
ground that, to his certain knowledge,
Leah was betrothed to Abraham. The
new lover was not to be thus balked,
and lost no time in securing passages
in the French steamer for Oran for
him and Leah, together with the whole
family, and a few days later they
steamed away to the east, after, it is
stated, having deposited $4Oo in the
hands of the rabbi. Abraham's faith
er appealed to the rabbi, who said
that nothing could be done until he
received power of attorney from his
son, and then the father called upon
Abraham's friend to ask advice, and,
to his joy, found that he held the very
document required. With this they
both repaired to the house of tho rab-
bi, who looked at it, and to their dis
may pronounced it useless because it
was written in the English language.
The United States consul and consul
general were appealed to, but said
that, as it was of jewish law, the ques
ton must be left to the discretion of
the rabbi Negotiations were then
entered into with Moses, who compro-
missed the matter by the payment of
half the bond-viz., 5000. We have
not yet heard what effect has been
produced upon the mind of Abraham,
but they say that candle is never SO
easily lighted as when it has just been
put out, and perhaps in mail or two
we may hear that Abraham is ON his
way home to choose another of the
fair maidens of Tangier. .-Morocco
Times.