St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-08-31
THE MAGIC MIRROR.
Adapted From Sacher Masoch - By
Sasha.

ga ScOld.ng VIE is IKE unto TELL
pest" says the Talmud, with this differ
ence: the one drives man indoors, the
other out doors"
OF this Hirsch Bickeles was made only
we'll aware one stormy day in December
a day on which the inclemency of the
weather had forced him to seek the shell
ter of his home, although he had intended
to transact some business with the rich
land owner, Lapuzki-and his wife began
to scold and abuse him at such "a that
he was glad to make his escape from the
house.
Of what avail was it to Hirsch Bickeles
that he was respected by all, envied by
many, that his business prospered, that he
had young and beautiful wife, when
Schifre made herself so dissgreeable to
him that he heartily wished himself in
visible during the time he spent within
his own four walls?
Do not imagine Schifre was cross only
on special occasions-oh, no; she fumed
from the moment her little foot was
thrust into her embroidered slipper, and
was still scolding when Hirsch slept the
sleep of the just, and snored as only man
with a clear conscience can snore.
Up to this time Hirsch Bickeles had
was at his wits end to find some means OF
pacifying Schifre. He had long ago given
up contradicting her, but she was equally
exasperated when he remained silent, and
more SO if he yielded to her. What could
he do? Nothing that he knew of; and so
airsch in his distress went straight away
to the wise Rabbi Meiches and besought
his help.
Rabbi Meiches, who was great in knowl-
edge and wit as he was small in body, sat
on an old settee, rolled up like a sleeping
kitten, and smiled as he listened to the
poor fellow.
eff you do not help me, oh, Son of the
Talmud am lost, " screamed Hirsch Blck-
eles; "but you will save me, for do not
good and evil spirits obey you, and has
not God given you the power to strike
dumb the poisonous tongue and to annihi-
late the plasphemer with a glance of your
eyer"
ssDo you see that mirror yonder?' began
Rabbi Meiches.
81 see it,"
"Take it and do as tell you"
Hirsch Bickeles took the little old mir
ror, which was fran ed in black wood,
carefully from the wall and looked at it in
wonder and awe.
SWhenever your wife scolds hold the
mirror before her face. Do you under
standg"
81 understand; and is this all?"
''Do as tell you"
Hirsch Bickeles thanked the Rabbi, and
taking the mirror, went away. The snow
storm was over, the wind had scattered
the white clouds, the sun shone and the
little mirror held in Hirsch Bickeles' hand
flashed in the sunlight. He stood still
moment and looked at it again. "It must
be magic mirror" said he to himself.
''These things always appear Insignificant,
SO that one for whom they are not intended
does not notice them, not dreaming of the
magic they contain"
Slowly he walked past the house of
Kat, the butcher, whose dog, Rys, missed
no opportunity of getting the long talar
or gown of the much plagued Hirsch
Bickeles between his teeth. AS usual, the
brute lay in the doorway, and as Hirsch
passed he rose, snarled and showed his
teeth savagely. 'sIf it does no good, it
can at least do no HARM" thought he, and
quickly held the Rabbits mirror before the
dog. Rys slowly retreated, and when
Hirsch followed him with the mirror he
began to wag his tail and lick the hands
of Hirsch. Wonder of wonders Praised
be the wise Rabbi" cried Hirsch, and ten,
derby pressing the mirror to lis heart, he
hurried home. The beautiful Schifre (she
was not only called thus; she was indeed
the most beautiful woman in Burstyn) re-
ceived her husband with perfect torrent
of abuse He simply smiled when he
thought of his magic mirror. He almost
pitied her.
L,x iaf
she shrieked. s'Just wait until serve you
as you deserve" Like fury she threw
herself on him with the intention of pull
ing his beard out, or of scratching his face
at the very least. In spite of this terror
Hirsch held the mirror before her face,
and as if by magic, Schifre became sud-
denly quiet-very quiet, went to the win
dow and sat down.
''Are we not going to have supper,
schifre?'' began Hirsch Bickeles, made
venturesome by his first victory.
Nothing will you get, nothing"
screamed Schifre. You may eat stones,
for aughtI care" Quickly he held the
mirror before her. do go away with
that horrid thing" said Schifre much
Inundated.
go, my mirror is not horrid."
''Do you mean to say l ann" said
schifre, faring up, 81 am certainly pretty
enough for you"
Without word Hirsch held the mirror
up before her. Schifre turned her back
to him and began to cry softly.
'sWhat is the matter, dear Schlffe,"
asked Hirsch, courageously, for he was
tender-hearted and pitied her.
s'You say l am beautiful" said Schifre,
drying her eyes, ''and the people say so.
but see now am ugly, frightfully ugly"
''No, Schifre, you ale beautiful as an
angel-that is when you are good tenn
pered.
'And when am angry then am ugly,
is it not so3'
'.No, schifre, then too, you are beauti
full as fiend.
She began to laugh.
Eyes laugh" cried Hirsch ''then you
are most beautiful, 1t is long time
since I saw you laugh, and you do not
dress yourself nicely, any more; and you
do not comb your hair, and | really believe
YOU do not wash your face"
Schifre went out quickly, slammiDg the
door. Hirsch sat down near the window
and played with the mirror, letting it re-
fleet in the sun, and kissed it as tenderly
as he had heretofore kiss ed only his wife.
Now the latter came softly into the room,
with downcast eyes, a glittering frontlet
around her head concealing the hair,
dressed in a shimmering satin pettlcoat
and splendid jacket OF finest fur, her
feet encased in gold embroidered slippers,
and smiled in embarrassment
'sOh Schifre my wife, how beautiful are
you now, 2 exclaimed Hirsch in delight.
SIS that true2 Do you mean it
s.Look and see" He held the mirror
before her eyes.
She smiled, pleased. proud and happy;