The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-05
TAILOR .ABRAHAMEK.

tiOn was. Even TO ChlS Gay am lSuoIan"
of it. AL that 1 can positively assert is
that he first made his appearance at my
residence in the capacity Of tailor; and
one thing can not deny is that he made
me some clothes-such clothes.
had lately returned to my native place
after several years spent in travel, ana
was living on my-uncle's little estate In
Galicia, which was situated near the chlet
town of the district and not far from the
Russian frontier When the weather was
fine l used to hunt When it rained read
Walter Scott. And as there were.some
days when the weather, although not
rainy, was anything but agreeable, these
were usually passed in paying Vlslts 10
such Of the neighboring families as had
the good fortune to possess some partlcu-
lar attraction at their residences in the
form of pretty woman or q graceful
young girl. In order to make such visits,
new suit was Indispensable; Abrahamek
was accordingly summoned, and commls-
stoned to make it for me-
When he came in and bowed to me, he
did not impress ME in the least as man
at all worth while noticing He was small,
skinny, insignificant. He had O marrow
face. q hooked nose and from beneath his
velvet jamurka some thin locks OF black
hair descended to curl about his temples.
He wore, like all Jews, q long, black
talar, and talked through his nose like
his co-religionists, who are as numerous IN
our little town Us ants in an ant-hil.
He pulled from his pocket some strips OF
dirty paper, took my measure, listened 10
all my instructions without moving mus
Gle of his face, and then sat down opposite
me, at my own table, without so much as
asking leave.
aSo you come from Vienna, young mas
teri" he began.
ayes, from Vienna"
"Fine city, eh?"
ayes, q very fine city"
."And you are going to stay here now
with your honored uncle:"
mo"
"Ha, ha!-you do not enjoy yourself
here"
"That is not the reason"
sBut you enjoyed yourself better ae
Vienna"
"No, not exactly"
"The young lord is studying ut Vienna,
of course:"
~ have finished my studies"
"Finished your studies! So young!
What intelligence! Then the young lord
is probably interested in some business at
Vienna!"
"No."
"Or perhaps he holds some official posi-
ton therc?"
"Yes-something like that"
"In, office! So young and such intelll-
eence! The young lord will certainly be-
come governor of district or councillor
of state, if GOD grants him health. And
then, of course, bride will be found for
the young lord, beautiful and wealthy
young girl; or perhaps the young lord
has already obtained what his heart de-
sires:"
And this went on, went On-an outpour-
ing like n cascade; and all the time he was
asking questions, Abrahamek kept search
ing me with his little gray eyes, which
penetrated like two gimlets, into the most
secre; recesses of my mind! Goodness"
I said 20 myself, "here's man who indeed
possesses rare qualifications for the office
of examining judge. If he possesses equal
aptitude for making clothes, will have
good reason to congratulate myself"
But next day. rs ! entered Q tobacco tt1staee6
Store TO buy some cigars, a novel and c:1-
rious spectacle met my eyes. Abrahamek
nv tailor-this time without his talar, and
in his shirt sleeves, was seated upon low
stool near the door. Before him plank,
planed perfectly smooth, was set uprigAI
against chair; and with the aid Of big
brush, some pots Of paint, and saucer Of
water to rinse his brush in, he was paint
ING the plank. And what was he paint
ing? A Turkish woman, with big black
eyes and an apple-green turban, clad in
red caftan bordered with ermlne, ard
smoking q gigantic chibouk, as she sat
cross-legged on blue cushion.
aAbrahamek, what are you doing
Ghere?"
@You can see for yourself, young mas-
ter" replied Abrahamek, evidently an
noyed, II am painting"
"And what is it fors"
@What is it for? It is a new sign for
Mime. Barnoka."
THAT was the name of the seductive
widow who kept the tobacco store.]
"Is this your first masterpiece"
II painted long ago the sign at the GUS
tum house." replied Abrahamek straight
ening up with all the offended dignity OF
q Raphael; "and also the sign OF Inc Beau
tiful Polish Girl in Limburg street, and
the sun-dial for the parish-priest. Say!
did you ever see sun more like nature
than my sun! Or if you did it must have
been in Vienna"
And really must confess that Abra-
hamek had q talent for painting. The
smoke which the Turkish woman allowed
to escape from her rosy mouth looked
more like a wreath of grimy shavings
than like real smoke; but her face was
very dainty; and The Beautiful Polish
Girl also was worthy of her pompous cpl
thet. Nevertheless the noble art Of paint
ing was not the finest of all the talents
which had been vouchsafed to this luclSy
Abrahamek.
On the occasion of certain marriage IN
wealthy Jewish society, had chance
to see Abrahamek in totally different
light.