San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-22
CLAADIAS., HRcAlFN SINGER &c.


was taken. They grasped him by the
arms on each side, Lazarus, his ia
Their, and Levi, surnamed the Short
handed, the strongest and the cruel
est and the most relentless OF the
younger rabbis. Their grip was
rough, and the older man held a
coarse woollen cloth in his hind, with
which to smother the boys cries if he
should cry out for help. But he was
very calm and did not resist them.
What would youP" he asked.
''And what doest thou in Chris
tian church," asked Lazarus in fierce
tones.
What Christians do, since l am
one of them" answered the youth,
unmoved.
Lazarus said nothing, but he struck
the boy on the mouth with his hard
hand so that the blood ran down.
Not here" exclaimed Levi, anK-
iously looking about.
And they hurried him away
through dark and narrow lanes. He
opposed no resistance to Lewis rough
strength, not only suffering himself
to be dragged along, but doing his
best to keep pace with the mans long
strides, nor did he murmur at the
blows and thrusts dealt him from time
to time by his father from the other
side. During some minutes they were
still traversing the Christian part Of
the city. A single loud cry for help
would have brought rescue, a few
words to the rescuers would have
reused a mob of fierce men, and
the Jews would have paid with
their lives for the deeds they had not
yet committed. But Simon Abeles
uttered no cry and offered no resist
ance. He had said that ne feared not
death, and he had spoken the truth,
not knowing what manner Of death
was to be his. Onward they sped,
and in the vision the way they trav-
ersed seemed to sweep past them. so
that they remained always in sight
though always hurrying on. The
Christian quarter was passed; before
them hung the chain of one OF those
gates which gave access to the city of
the Jews. With a jeer and an oath the
bearded sentry watched them pass
the martyr and his torturers. One
word to him, even then, and the butt
of his heavy halberd would have
broken Lewis arm and laid the boys
faith er in the dust. The word was not
spoken. On through the filthy ways,
on and on, through narrow courts and
torturous passages to dark low door
way. Then, again, the vision showed
but an empty street, and there was
silence for space, and horror of
long waiting in the falling night.
Lights moved within the house, and
then one window after another was
bolted and barred from within. A
dull noise, bad to hear, resounded as
from beneath a vault, and then an
other and another-the sound of
cruel blows upon a human body.
Then pause.
wilt thou renounce it?" asked
the voice of Lazarus.
"Kyrie eleison! Christie eleison"
came the answer brave and clear.
Lay on, Levi, and let thy arm be
strong"
"Dost thou repent? Dost thou re-
nounce? Dost thou deny?"
Il repent of my sins-I renounce
your ways-I believe in the Lord"
The sacred name was not heard. A
smothering groan, as of one losing
consciousness in extreme torture, WAS
all that car go f""'- Ha1"" --
Lay on, Levi, lay ont"
Nay" answered the strong rabbi,
the boy will die. Let us leave him
here for this night
LAS thou sayest."
Again there was silence. Soon the
rays OF light ceased to shine through
the crevices of the outer shutters, and
sleep descended upon the quarter of
the Jews. Still the scene in the Wis
ion changed not
Lord, if it be thy will that | die,
grant that may bear all in thy name,
grant that l, unworthy, may endure
in this body the punishment due me
in spirit for my sins. And if it be
thy will that live let my life be
used also for thy glory "
The voice ceased and the cloud of
passing time descended upon the Wis
ion and was lifted again and again.
Il believe" it said, always. do
what you will, you have power over
the body, but l have the faith over
which you have no power.
So the days and the nights passed,
and though the prayer came up in
feeble tones, it was born of mighty |
spirit, and it rang in the ears of the |