Gilpin observer., 1915-05-06

happenings. Occasionally the influx
of bands Of compatriots from Russia
or Roumania, bringing stories of perse-
cution and pogroms, sends thrill of
horror through the packed, noisy
Streets. But, In the main, wars, con.
quests. earthquakes, booms and
slumps on the exchange leave the
ghetto comparatively tranquil
Rabbi Tamor was thinking of this
as he strolled along Hester street, TAX
ing his morning walk in the sun. He
had memories of another land where
life was much less even, where feath-
or beds were slashed open and throats
too. sometimes. Here, In America,
was that peace he craved, SO that
he could immerse himself in his stud
les of the Talmud, reconcile neighbor-
hood quarrels. and carry on his own
work of peacemaking.
He never ceased to thank God for
this wonderful peace that had befallen
him in his old age. Nor for another
blessing, his daughter Bertha.
She had grown up in the ghetto.
Their love was mutual and founded
upon that harmony OF disposition
which prevails in most Jewish homes.
Best of all, though she was educated,
had passed through the high school.
and could take her place among the
best in the land. she had not deserted
the faith.
For that Rabbi Tamor thanked God
more devoutly than for his great
peace. All round him he saw the in
fux of new ideas among the people,
parents grieving over delinquent sons
who had abandoned the ancestral re-
ngion, sons misunderstanding their
parents devotion. But in his home
the great peace brooded.
A little crowd Of boys in the dis
tance attracted the rabbits notice.
They we're gathered outside a small
building. and apparently engaged in
jeering at somebody inside The rab-
bi quickened his footsteps. shaking his
head sorrowfully.
Boys will be boys" he muttered,
but they mustn't be rude or pelt peo-
pie. Tchk!"-for one Of them had
thrown a handful Of offal from the
street. This must STOP" said the
rabbi, hurrying along.
Soon the cause OF the trouble ap-
peared. Outside the building, whose
windows were cracked by stones, ap-
peared in Jewish writing the an
nouncement that Christian mission
had been established for the conver-
sion Of the inhabitants.
The boys. seeing the. rabbi, with
drew. The old man shook his cane
at them and they scurried down the
street. But Rabbi Tamor walked
homeward despondently. He had no
fear that any Of his flock would ac-
cept the faith which was associated
in his mind with persecution. But 1t
grieved him to come in contact with
missionaries. He knew how much
higher their faith was than its expo
sition on the part of the votaries who.
even in America. sometimes Knocked
him for his long beard and earlocks
when he ventured beyond the Hebrew
radius.
That night, as he sat poring over
his books. his daughter rushed into
his room.
Father! Come quick!" she cried.
They are killing the missionary, the
Christian"
What? Who? Where is he?" STAN
mered the rabbi, with difficulty recall.
ing himself from a courtroom of Baby
Ion, where knotty question of ritual
was being thrashed out between two
learned Talmudists of the first cen.
tury A. d.
Down the street, father! The
Christian missionary" cried the girl
Rabbi Tamor, now fully awake,
grasped his cane and. thrusting on his
hat, ran down the passage into the
street. A small riot seemed In prog.
ress at the far end.
1t was. indeed. risky enterprise of
the young missionary. to have set up
his tabernacle In that quarter When
the rabbi and his daughter reached the
scene they saw hooting mob around
the good-looking young man who was
being buffeted and beaten by dozens
Of hands. Rabbi Tamor pushed his
way through the crowd.
Enough! Enough" he shouted.
brandishing his cane in a threatening
manner. I'm have you arrested, I'll
have you arrested. I'll call the no.
lice
But that had been done already. for
a small body of uniformed men came
at the double along the street, and.
seeing them, the mob dispersed.
Rabbi Tamor bent over the pros.
trate man.
He lives!" he cried. Poor fellow!
A shame! An outrage on our faith!
Bring him to my house. I'll give our
people an object lesson in charity.
know who did this!"
Muttering thus, Rabbi Tamor strode
behind the little knot of people who
carried the unconscious young man to.
ward his home. The bearers en-.