The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-10-12

ucNor bhlu tnuty, Eupuh1 Io-
minded him. "Twenty-seven ten
was my last bid"
Sugarman turned up the next day,
and reported that Leibel was unob-
tainable under thirty pounds, and
Eliphaz, weary of the contest, called
over Leibel, till that moment care
fully absorbed in his scientific chalk
marks, and mentioned the thing to
him for the first time. 81 am not q
man to bargain"
The formal engagement was marked
by even greater iunketing and at last
the marriage day came. Leibel was
resplendent in a diagonel frock coat,
cut by his own hand, and Rose stepped
from the cab a medley Of flowers,
fairness AMI white silk, and behind
her came two bridesmaids-her sisters
"a trio that glorified the spectator
strewn pavement outside the ,syna-
gogue.
Leibel and Rose were not the only
couple to be disposed of. for it was
the thirty-third day of the Omer-a
day fruitful in marriages.
But at last their turn came. They
did not, however, come in their turn,
and their special friends among the
audience wondered why they had lost
their precedence.
Gradually the facts leaked out, and
buzz of talk and comment ran
through the waiting synagogue. Eli
phaz had not paid up!
At first he declared he would put
down the money Immediately after
the ceremony. But the wary Sugar
man, schooled by experience, demand
ed the instant delivery on behalf of
his other client Hard pressed Eli
phaz produced ten sovereigns from
his trousers pocket and rendered them
on account.
And then arose hubub of voices, q
chaos of suggestions; friends rushed
to and fro between the camps, some
emerging from their seats in q syna-
gogue to add to the confusion. But
Eliphaz had taken his stand upon
rock-he had no more ready money.
Tomorrow, the next day, he would
have some.
The minister left his post near the
canopy, under which so many lives
had been united, and came to add his
white tie to the forces for compromise.
But he Jared no better than the others.
Incensed at the obstinacy of the
antagonists, he declared lie would
close the synagogue.
At the eighth the buzz of tongues
faltered suddenly, to be transposed
into new key, SO to speak. Through
the gesticulating assembly swept that
murmur of expectation which crowds
know when the procession is coming
at last. By some mysterious magnet
ism all were aware that the bride her
self-the poor hysteric bride-had
left the paternal camp, was coming in
person to plead with her mercenary
lover.
And as the glory of her and the
flowers and the white draperies
loomed upon LeibePs vision his heart
melted in worship, and he knew his
citadel would crumble in ruins at her
first glance, at her first touch. Was
it fair fighting? As his troubled
vision cleared and as she came nigh
unto him, he saw to his amazement
that she was speckless and composed
no trace of tears dimmed the fair
ness of her face, there was no disarray
in her bridal wreath.
The clock showed the ninth min
ute.
She put her hand appealingly on his
arm, while heavenly light came into
her face-the expression of Joan of
Arc animating her country.
"Do not give in, Leibel," she said.
"Do not have mel Do not let them
persuade theel By my life thou must
not! Go homeI"