Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-02-27

and rearranging figures in my mind add
ing, subhacting. and multiplying them,
Ard when the anguish of mind and heart
vas somewhat allayed, | found this power
had developed, and put it to use.
"At my age you say 1t is not alone
I he years that heap snow upon head and
beard; sorrow also makes one old, my
son.
There was bitter tone in his last words.
Have you not wife and chilrenY' |
asked.
He started at the question, raised his
head an instant, and then LET it sink down
on his breast in an attitude of pathetic
detection, and answered. had once-i
had once.
The non.gun resounded from the cita-
del, and could | not pursue further the
conversation tFat seemed to have led to-
ward the unknown tragedy of the old
mans life.
This was not the last time, however
that ! saw old Baruch Often, when pass
ing through that quarter of the city
stopped and talked with him, but | got no
nearer the story of mis- life-for | felt sure
there was a story.
Last autumn | turned one day into the
street of the money-changers, and found
most OF the shops closed, An Arab po'
liceman explained to me that il was a
special fast day Of the Jews. | had moth
ing special TO do at the time, so | set out
for Jewish quarters, thinking ! might see
something interesting. After wandering
through labyrinth of alleys | came out
into an irregular open place or square. On
one side was plain, fiat-roofed building,
in and out of which were passing a crowd
of white.clothed figures
What is that building?' asked by
stander.
The Spanish synagogue.
Can we 90 mp
Certainly" said the man, evidently a
Jew, and peace be with you.
| entered the door, and interesting
scene met any eyes The whole place, ex-
cept a few passages left here and there,
was filed with men kneeling upon mats,
swaying back and fore, murmuring the
words which a robed priest at the alter
read to them. The atmosphere was 40 OPP
pressive that ! soon felt faint and TUNED
to go. Outside, men sat on benches about
the door, or walked to and fro; In one re-
mote corner | saw figure that seemed
familiar. An old man sitting on a rug.
with his face buried in his hands. Yes, 1t
was Baruch | spoke to him as | drew
near He did not move.
sid Baruch, repeated in louder
tone.
He looked up his face was pale and sor-
rowful.
us it you, my son?" he said, recogniz
ing me "What brought you here at this
time, when we are begging our God for
forgiveness of our sins2 Give me your
hand, my son, and if have harmed you,
forget and forgive me. "
He took my hand and drew me down be-
side him on the rug.
Harmed me?' | exclaimed. "No,
Baruch, nor any any man. Your sins
must be repented Of on the Atonement
Day"
"Atonement Day!" he replied and
bowed his head, and was silent for some
time
Suddenly he straicL med up, and cried
in tone of angus God OF Israel!
What have done that Thy hand should
be laid SO heavily upon me?'
And then IN a low tone, as If in trance,
be ran over in broken sentences the history
of his life. He spoke as If he was not
aware of my presence. 1t seemed a re-
ligious service, prayer, confession.
"Baruch-the blessed my father named
me. But my life was a curse. Twenty
years ago was it--on such Day of Atone
rlcnt as this, when hurried to my nome,
! happy and contented-to my wife and
children To my young wife, whom |
loved, and my two children. who were the
| breath Of my bosom, the light Of my eyes.
| walked into the house--a terrible blow
J fell upon my head, and as ! reeled heard
! the agonized cries of my wife and chill
dren, Oh, God! why hast thou not stayed
| the hand of the robbers and murderers,
When | came to myself was bound to the
door. Three men were in the room. My
wife lay bound to the bed, moaning
choking, debauched. The goddess
wretches had strangled the children and
| laid them at the breast of their mother,
before the eyes of the father, the husband
And God the Almighty had not raised His
| hand to save them-He had not crushed
| the inhuman wretches. They came up to
me; they spat in my beard. | knew them
three Greeks, from whom had refused
| to buy stolen goods, and whom | had re-
ported to the kadi. They had sworn ven
goauce, and they bad wreaked it. They
| set FIRE to the bed and fled. ! was burned.
The neighbors smelled the smoke and took
us away. But the children were dead,
and my wife faded away and died
also. And the light went out of my eyes
| 30 Lord, how have | deserved the tul.
l sss of Thy wrath! Why must / doubt,
{ God, Thy justice, Thy wisdom, Thy
PITY"
Baruch stopped, and strange stiffness
seemed TO nave fallen upon the scene. All
was quiet in the synagogue.
Suddenly chant arose-many voices
following the words half sung by the
priest. Baruch got slowly TO his feet and
walked to the door with lowed head, re.
peating the words OF the evening hymn
Then the voices grew louder, there were
intermingle0 groans and signs aid sobs
And as it came from within: Doubted
have /, 0 Lord, in Thy justice--in Thy
PITY have set my will against Thy
wilt" the old Baruch repeated the word.
with broken voice, aud from the sightle7'
eyes Of the old martyr tears came ana
rolled down in his long, white beard.
did not see him again. ! was away
/ from Cairo large part Of the winter
+ Blu. 4 few weeks ago | walked into IA,
I rnongy- changers