The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-14
HOW TIE JEWS GOT TO TIMBCK7E.
Now Firmly Installed 10 n city Where Once
They Were Prescribed.

IL "eT
Adesratch from TanCier says that $4,000
worth OF ostrich feathers sent by jewish mer-
chants OF Timbuktu have reached that city.
Christians are forbidden to live in the city.
and the Mohammedans are as bitterly opposed
to the Jews as to the Christians. Tho story
how the jews gained ndmittance to Timbuktu
is a romantic one. They seem to be firmly es-
tablished there. having overcome the oppose
tion OF their bitter enemies.
All the Jewish merchants in Timbuktu are
relations or friends OF Mordokhai Abi-Serour.
once a poor jewish boy living in Morocco.
where his race nre cruelty treated. This boy.
suffering all the misfortunes Of his race. de-
termined to go to some part OF the world
where he might get a better chance In life.
He had no help from any one. but made his
way in various humble CAPACITIES from Tan
gier to Spain. and then passed through France.
Turkey. Greece. Asia Minor. and finally
reached Jerusalem. When his funds were ex-
hausted he would work until he had accumu-
lated money to pursue his journey.
One OF our countrymen has shown how an
American can travel in Europe on 30 cents q
day. Mordokhai could undoubtedly give
points to our economical countrymen In the
art Of cheap travel. For months at a time he
travelled at Il total cost OF not over 81 q week.
When he reached Jerusalem he applied him
self with great ardor TO study. In Ave years
he attained the rank Of rabbi. Then he be-
came a school teacher. and in this capacity he
passed eleven years instructing youth In
Aleppo. Syria. Egypt. Tunis. and Algeria.
Then he returned to Morocco with a passport
as a French citizen. He found his family
poorer than svcr. He. however. had accumu-
lated considerable money. and had developed
the amazing faculty OF his race for businoss.
He heard that there were great opportunities in
the Timbuktu trade. and. though he knew the
as well AS Christians. he determined to mako
an effort to get to Timbuktu. This wasi n 1888
1s M.sh st e ns%S across 81 es shs de sc sna sa XII er %ater
enough to last them for ten days. His prog
ross Was not imPsdsd until ne reached tho
Laing was murdered in the early part Of this
century. At this town. which stands 10 q sea
who declared that no Jew or Christian would
be permitted 70 livs among the faithful; ho
town as once he had killed \ Christian.
1T happened that Mord3khai had the Koran
som his nnT witg srsai tset and IHiS d knaws'd Gs
and pointed pointed out t to then Ma, that m m their relieIoEs
set the sheik and the doctors thinking; and
Mordokhai' and his. brother should be per-
mittsd to trade in the town upon giving the
promising to pay an annual trlbuts Of s25 for
every lew engaged IN trade In AIuan. 30 the
huSshturesome jewish merchant had thus lar
1t was not, however until tho next year that
ne obtained permission to 80 to Timbuktu.
ihlter the desired authority had been given
that he induced Q camel driver TO assume the
FISK o., taking a Jew to the f~anatical city. Nor
aokhai dld not dare to suddenly surprise the
people ct Iimbuktu by aPpearing among them
az Arab disguise, aud when he reached inc
CITY no went at once to the house OF a Morocco
TMhaer who he thought, would protect him.
j lie low, hOWnyar. WAS mistaken. far tina Moor. |
MIN or rompe! hin to turn Mohammedan.
In TINS emergency, his knowledge Of tho I
horhh again assiste him out of adil6mma. |
hatiyo but 10 deny his iaith or die he repeated
70 his enemiss the words Of the Prophet that
lhey who killed II tributary without lust cause
result was that a messepger was sent to tho
tmir to learn his will: and. to the delight OF
IN Jew, the order cane that no was to 10 per-
Gsuai to ssssds In a Itt tab ist GA p.yipgthe
Accordingly Mordokhai aud his 6rother
iveh in Timbultu., doing a most profitable
husIntss. for SsveTal, years, Having accumu-
vans that they sent TO the Mediterranean they
finally returned to Morocco. Then MorioIhai
went TO Timhuktu with three OF his near roia.
they sent to Morocco ostrich feathers. ivory,
ana other prod ucts to the value Of S3O.O0n'
MordoshGls later ventures were not SO sue.
TfST,I,i i0T in S fhS @. his SSravaps were
decided to leave Iimbuktu for good ia 1864.
ms relations there thought II profitable to re-
main. oiher Iews haye since Joined them on
ne .ame terms. and thus 1t happens that to.
day tiirlc are Jewish traders in tho f~anatlcal
city. which, before the advent of this fearless
pi9nre: would not admit any jewish traders.
Mordokhai has done very good work in the ssr-
vice Of the Paris Geographical Society,