The San Francisco call., 1904-07-03

it; we had three and l sold the others.
l also brought a Shaas (the Talmud),
but who gives glance into the Tai
mud in this treif America? There it
lies packed up over my bed. At home
my children would be rabbis, perhaps,
but hereof and woe is me!-noe one
cares for such things. My children do
not want to answer in Yiddish when 1
talk to them-nothing but English. =
Let us go to the front room,'' said
Mr. Takiff after 1 had finished eating.
We will talk over old stories until
She comes"
We went to the parlor, or front room,
as they called it. Bes1Ces a folding
bed there were set OF second hand
piush-coVered furniture, a small case
crammed with books, and an old organ.
We sat down. A short pause ensued.
l could see that. he wIsned to tell me
about Make. so 1 waited for him to
begin.
She will be so glad to see you," he
repeated again. My sister grumbles
ali the time, but l bear my wounds si-
lently He was approaching the sub
Ject gently, | observed. His careworn
face showed inner grief.
1t would be a sin for me to COM
pam. l have to praise the Lord for
His tavors to me in my old age. Why
should l bewail my lost wealth so long
as nave saved my daughter? Her
name here is Regina Wfgodski. Yes,
l Wrested her from that scoundrels
hands, he said to me as if he were
talking to himself He threatened to
shoot me; he even AIMED at me. But
what a foolish countiv would rather
have the bullet pierce my brain than
leave her in his house. But l saved
her. | found out that she was with him
on his estate near MohiIeV. l went
there about a month after you left us.
His servants would not let me in. But
l got In. He stood in the veranda of
his palace and set his dogs on me. but
they only tore my clothes and bruised
my hand here" He showed me a deep
scar. But l did get into his palace in
spite of all his threats. l implored him
TO give me back my daughter, and fell
on my knees before him. / kissed his
boots, but he only kicked me. He
threatened to throw me out of his inn
and ruin me. Make. my daughter! 1
cried with all my voice, so she could
not help hearing me. He ordered his
servants to throw me out. They beat
me, they flogged me- they almost
crushed me. But l heard somebody
weeping in an adjoining room. knew
her voice. / knew she would come
back to me; / was certain that now she
must come. So l waited | knew she
would come, and come she did.
1T was in the middle of winter.
had neglected my business and the inn
was less freQuented, for 1 was practi-
cally alone and could not attend to it.
My wife had died just a week before"
This last he said as if in answer to my
inquisitive look Late one night was
sitting alone in the house. My little
boy was asleep. Snow had drifted
around the inn as high as the window
sills and a storm was raging. 1 sat by
the hot oven warming myself and look
ing into book, though my thoughts
were far away. My wifes ghost-peace
be with her-had come 10 me in a
dream the night before and said: No
sen, Make is coming home; forgive
her. / was thinking about this, when
I thought the latch of the door clicked.
1t must be caused by the wind, ] de-
cided. A few minutes later the latch
clicked again, as If some one were try
ing to lift 1t. The blasts of the wind
made frightful noises. as If they were
going to upset the inn. Then every
thing was quiet for a minute or so.
closed my book and paced up and down
the room. l heard something bump
up against the door. / hurried to the
door and opened it. A figure lay pros
trate before me. / fetched the lamp
and locked at it. 1 need not tell you
the rest. She had returned to the God
of Israel"
He heaved a deep sigh and pro-
ceeded:
THAT scoundrel took the inn away
from me and ruined me, as he had
threatened to do. but 1 was prepared
for it. 1 sold out what little was left
me and sailed for America l left my
son with wealthy brother Of mine in
KOyno. At home it would be hard for
her to get married, 1 thought, so 1 de-
cided to come to this country. / am
not sorry for it.
Coming over here 1 had a Aittle
money yet, and did not let her go to
work in a shop. / peddled and made
my three or four dollars a week. But
she insisted on going to work, and she
found a place in a shirt factory, where
she made the acquaintance of Mr.. Wi
goSki, whom she married a year ago.
He is also a student from home and he
expects to take profession after a
while"
AS he finished tears were rolling
down his wrinkled face, but could not
tell whether they were tears of joy or
grief.
The door opened and middle aged
man with a black beard and a jovial
face entered. / recognized him-the
same Reb Dovidle l had met six years
before. He was not as well dressed as
he was then, and hard work had made
deep marks in his countenance.
We'll, Gittele, God be praised!" he
said in Yiddish to his wife. Business
is improving from day to- day."
He took off his stifr nat, put on his
skull cap, and came into the front
room"
You are home early to-day, Nosen.
Oh, L see. you've found an old friend.
Sholcm- -aleichem." He stretched out
his hand to me cordially. II can al
ways tell a greener' as soon as look
at him." he added. without waiting for
formal introduction.
ANY news in Russia? How is the
treatment of the Jews? AS severe as
ever?" and added a few more ques-
tions without giving me chance to
reply to- the first.
do you recognize him, David 2"
(Dovidle being diminutive of David)
asked Mr.. Takiff.
He shrugged his shoulders, and the
smile that spread over his face plainly
signified no"
"Israel-a-Russ-" his brother-in-
law tried to help him out. Q had
adopted the second name of my Rus
sian passport.)
He shook his head negatively.
II had the pleasure of eating at your
table one Friday night" l struck in.
Yly hi