Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

poke about the piles OF bread the back counter,
while the girl looked on in apprehension. Pres
emily he discovered the fairy book and held II up
accusingy.
"such bitsinessi" he cried. You keep on
steal me desc premiums out OF de oatmeal Look
vance what he say on de back: "A Present for the
Baby Shame to yourselfi Big girls, like yous
olt enough to make married alretty, robbin' your
poor fador so he can't do goot btsiness and sell
me dose oatmeals.'
Rachel lifted up her hands TO take the precious
little book from his avenging grasp. As she did SO
his sharp eye caught the light from something
which gttered on her finger. with a sudden grip
he caught her hand in his and examined It more
closely.
"Ach. Gotti" he cried again. more sharply than
before. IBIS auchl You steal me desc ienuwine
chewelry ring out cd dose chewin' Gums premiumsl
Comes all from learning dose readings by de public
schule."
"oh fader, he is SO shiny beautiful, hat to
wear him little yet put him back" pleaded
the girl
Just then Rachel's mother came in through the
front door of the shop and as the bell tangled the
old man turned to renew his complaint to her.
while his daughter slipped out unnoticed into the
back room. taking the book with her.
That night, after the evening meal cleared away,
there a strange caller to the little shop. He
was the schatchen-the neighborhood marriage
SJOOpeQ
and long gray beard, wearing a black derby hat,
many sizes too large, and long, green-faded black
coat Both Rachel's father and mother knew his
-errand without being told. The girl herself was
sent up stairs at his entrance, while the old couple
received him In state. Diplomatically he led up to
the proposition he had to make beginning with a
long euogy Of the character and disposition Of one
Yakob Stransky.
'It is he of what bitsness?" asked the old father
finally.
"It is the arun bitsiness," answered the
schatchen. HE owns alretty the wagon and pferd.
Next year he makes the second wagon. 1t is goot
young He makes mooch moneys" The
schatchen spread his hands in wealthy gesture.
It was plain that his hearers considerably i'm
pressed.
"You have here, also, goot bitsiness," the
schatchen went on, striking out a new lead. The
old man shook his head and started to speak, but
the caller paid no heed to the interruption.
"It is so bad there is son-but daughter,
only. Is 1t not so?"
"Mein Rachel is goot, smart GIRL" spoke up the
little old mother proudly. ''She can also read Of
de English"
''Yah wohl." said the shatchen promptly rubbing
his thin hands together. 'Unt vehen she makes
married yet, you shall give her mooch moneys, not
SOP"
The old father, sitting low stool, with his
gaunt figure bent forward, shook his head.
ut Is that am poor mans" he said whin-
ingly.
"Aber, Rachel shall have dose two hundurt dol
lar When she makes married." declared the old
woman, with glance of defiance at her husband.
The schatchen rose, kissed the old on the
forehead and went out through the shop.
"Morgen sent Yakob Stransky," he said, at the
door
At the sound of the bell the girl came down
stairs. Her parents looked at her fondly
"Morgen comes yet man." said the mother
He is of Yakob Stransky He is of de arun
bitsiness. Maybe you will make married by
him"
Rachel bit her full under lip and shook her head
stubbornly. mo. no. mooder," she cried, ''I will
not"
What for not? When he is goot young man?
When he is of de arun bitsiness and makes mooch
moneys? What for not?"
The girl turned away her face. a rosy flush
showing through the olive of her cheeks. at vait
me aviles yet" she said. softly. with downcast
eyes,
In her deepest heart was hidden the image of
the happy young Prince. the splendid youth in
crimson and gold who was so surely coming to find
her sleeping in the corner of her fathers shop
She must wait for him. She would not, permit even
the thought of another lover.
So she shook her head, heavy with its braids of
dead black, bit her red lips and answered only at
VIII not. VIII not,' to all her old mothers re-
peated urgings
Then broke out the old father. finally" "such a
foolitschniss Comes all from learning dose read
ings." He drew himself up to his full height and
pointed long, thin forefnger at the girl. "Mein
tochter shall obey her fader and mooder." he said
soemnly. ''It ist de law"
Next morning, early. green-painteh wagon.
drawn by bony white horse, stopped in front of
the bakeshop. Rachel's mother, peering through
fba ripJ
with Yiddish inscriptlon--looking to the Gentle
like bar Of sheet music-managed TO spell out
the tin sign, tackled to the wagon box. the name of
Jacob stransky, Junk Dealer" and hastened to
call her daughter from the room behind the shop.
Rachel came in sulkily just Yakob opened the