Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-22

continued the father. "Shall we give him
over to the Christians that he may dwell
among them and become one of them, and
be shown before the world to our shame?"
"We will not Jet him CO." said the dark
man, and an evilsmile fickered from one
face to another as FREELY futters from tree
to tree in the night-as though the spirit of
evil had touched each one in turn.
I'VE will not let him CO." said each
again.
Lazarus also smiled as though in assent,
and bowed his head little before he spoke.
"I am obedient to your judgment. II is
yours to command and mine to obey. If you
say that he must die, let him die. He is
nv son. Take him. Did not our father
Abraham lay Isaac upon the altar and offer
him as a burnt sacrifice before the Lord?'
"Let him die" said tie rabbis.
'"Then let him die" answered Lazarus.
IT am your servant. 1t is mine to obey"
"His blood be on our heads" they said.
And again the evil smile went round.
"It is then expedient that we determine of
what manner his death shall be-" continued
the father. inclining his body to signify his
submission.
"It it not lawful to shed his blood" said
the rabbis. "And we cannot stone him lest
we be brought to Judgment of the Chris
tians, Determine thou the manner of his
death"
my masters. if you will let it, let him be
brought once more before US. Let US all
hear with our ears his denial. and if he re-
pent at the last, it is well, let him live. But
if he harden his heart against our entreat-
les, let him die. Levi hath brought certain
pieces of wood hlther to nv house, and is
even now at work. If the youth is still
Stubborn in his belief, let him die even as
the Unbeliever died-by the righteous judg
ment OF the Romans"
''Let 1t be so. Let him be crucifed?"
said the rabbis with one voice.
Then Lazarus rose and went out, and, in
the vision, the rabbis remained seated, mo-
tionless in their places awaiting his return.
The noise of Lewis hammer echoed through
the low vaulted chamber, and at each blow
the smoking lamp quivered little, casting
strange shadows upon the evil faces beneath
its light. At last footsteps, slow and uncer-
tain, were heard without, the low door
opened, and Laz lrus entered, holding up the
BODY of his son before him.
II have brought him before you for the
last time" he. said. Question him and
hear his condemnation out OF his own mouth.
He repents not, though 1 have done my
utmost to bring him back to the path of
Question him, my masters,
and let us see what he will say"
White and exhausted with long hunger
and thirst, his body broken by torture,
scarcely any longer sensible to bodily pain,
Simon Abeles would have fallen to the
ground had his father not held him under
the arms. His head hung forward, and the
pale and noble face was inclined toward the
breast. but the deep, dark eyes were open
and gazed calmly upon those who sat IN
Judgment at the table. A rough piece of
linen cloth was wrapped about the boys
shoulders and body. but his thin-arms were
bare.
"Hearest thou, Simon, son of Lazarus p
asked the rabbis. "Knowest thou in whose !
presence thou standest?"
~ hear you. and know you all" There |
was no fear III the voice, though it trembled !
from weakness.
"Renounce, then, thy errors, and having !
suffered the chastisement of thy folly, return |
to the ways of thy father and of thy fathers |
house and of all thy people.
81 renounce my sins, and whatsoever is |
yet left Tor me to- suffer. I will, by Gods |
help. so bear it as to be not unworthy of |
Christ's mercy"