Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-08-25
BTJ.E.nvocoer.

nanulnS manner Lnat tncy seemed aWeQ,
| and rccUled away. But others again jeer-
ed and laughed calling them COW rds, and
! asking
! Wherefore are you afraid of a Jew?
Know you not that in our Little Fathers
land aJew hath not so much value as a
swine? 1t you kill q swine that belongs not
to You the judges will exact a fine, but
What judge will fine you for killing q
This argument told, and the angry SWELL
| ing of the voices of the jostling crowd was
| like the moan Of the sea in the rising win d.;
it presaged mischief. The people closed
about the old man. and one plucked his
beard, and another snatchcd Oft the cap
that covered his head.
ignorance and stupidity" he cried as
calm and defiant he lowered above
his tormentors. Know you not that for
thirty-tive years have lived in this city as
an honorable citizen; lived in peace and
harmony With all my fellows, Christian
| mani"
"You have taken usurer's interest,"" cried
! one.
TITS false" answered Aaron. II lend
not my moneys. I am trader
"And cheat the Christian, put in anoth-
"Fa!se again." said Aaron, "for I am
honest and trade fair"
How. comes it, then. that yon have
made fortune?' demanded big. burly
fellow, clad in greasy sheepskin, and
wearing large fur cap on his head. and as
he pressed forward he tlourishcd his great
fist in the Jews face.
norance," exclaimed Aaron, contemptu-
ously; when you have slept I have toiled.
When you have been stepped in besotted
stupidity through indulgence in vodka, 1
have had a clear head and a brain to think.
l have outraged not Natures laws, but
have humbly striven TO live the life of an
upright man, whom God made in His own
image
His answer, justified though it was per-
haps, and which was characteristic Of the
fearless independence of Aaron Arama,
was in no way calculated to allay the
aroused passions of those who heard it.
Aaron was well-known figure in st. Pet
ersburg, and was distinguished no less for
his learning and great intelligence than Tor
his kindness of heart and generous nature.
But his race and religion had ever been OBJ
jects of hatred with the people in whose
midst he lived, and the most ignorant and
drunk zen loafer OF the bazaars felt and be-
suit and sheer at Jew.
The man who had been addressed as
man III gross passions and pitiable ignor-
, ance" was stirred into wrathtul anger, and,
, turning to the fellows about him he cried,
appealingly:---
Little fathers, is it thus that we are to
be preached at by a dog of a denying Jew?
passions and ptiable ignorance and yet re-
main patient and quiet as if we had no
VOICES and no feelings and no hearts?'
mo, no." cried many. ut shall not be.
Down with the accused Jew"
"Aye, down with him, and all his tribe"
toI tEav h@1I !,
that the mob was in sympathy with him.
Let US beat him, and break his bones, and
strip his fine craitan from him." The
fellow made desperate clutch at the Jews
cloak, tearing away its fastenings, but he
had calculated too much on Aaron's age
and patience, for the old man seized him
with suddenness that astonished him,
and vice-like grip that brought the pale
ness of cravan fear into his greasy face.
But the crowd roared and jostleI, and
surged like pack of ravening wolves
struggling for prey; the man was wreSted
from the grip in which he was held, and
there's no doubt it would have gone hard
with Arama had not the people been
stayed in their intentions by loud and
angry voice crying out "Stoi, stoi!' stop.
stop9 The authority with which the
words We're uttered exerted SO much
influence over the crowd that
they paused and then a stalwart. hand
some young man forced his way into their
midst. eXclaiming:-
"Back. dogs and fools, and leave this
gentleman alone, or you shall suffer in
purse and body. 1 have spoken. Be-
ware.
In the newcomer who thus courageous
ly championed the Jew some ofthe people
recUgnlz d Ivan Alexieti. the only son of
the ST. Petersburg police; but as Ivan was
known to be Christian and the son Of a
Christian, great was the establishment that
was expressed that he should thus take
Aaron part.
"Pajoust catinska"(as you please growl-
ed the man who had ASA ulted Arama as he
retreated before the threatening Ivan, "but
have grievance against this Jew, and l
will treasure it,"
Ivan A!exietf took no notice ofthe threat
but, turning to Aaron he said, Follow
me-" Then. by a vigorous use OF his ell
bows. he pushed the crowd on one side,
and he and Arama we: e free.
1T were not we'll to linger here, he said,
these tools are angry, and angry fools
hath no discretion"
Il owe you debt" answered Aaron,
"but since | recognize you not. tell me
your name pray, that it may be honored
ITO men would so have it honored, IRE
piled Ivan. "Know me. then, as Ivan AL
exieff son of Peter Alexieff."
The recently-appointed chief of the po-
ice?"
The same"
'How comes it, then, that you have TAX
en- my part, for, ii reports bellies him not
your iather is an uncompromising hater OF
my race.
THAT is true" answered Ivan, ''but faith
er and son do not always think alike"
You are noble youth, noble youth"
said Aaron, land the Lord will prosper
you. I would knowyou better and would
value your friendship. Therefore, the door
OF my house will ever be open to you, and
my vile and my daughter will greet you at
all times with welcome"
REST assured that shall put that to the
test" Ivan said, with display of eagerness
that escaped Arama's attention, or he
might have been curious to know the
cause.
In a few minutes they parted, as their
roads lay in opposite directions; and as
Ivan went on his way he was very thought
full, and his thoughts were of the Jews
daughter.
Ivan Alexieff was still little more than a
youth for he was only in his twenty-third
year. and nature had endowed him with
physical attributes that won for him the
respect and envy of his fellows. He was a
young giant in strength; and women had
l.. - = Il H.