The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-10-13

AT precisely noon on the Friday In
question Anpibale left his store clad
in all his Sunday inery, with his
guitar case under one arm and bear
ing a valise In his bediamonded right
hand. He entered his neighbours tailor
shop.
Il just come for sake-a hands with
YOU he announced to Ginsburg. Il
like for ask-a you a favor"
ME-" Morris replied, watts der mat
ter? You amt sick?"
Annibale evaded the question.
Il like for ask-a you" he continued,
please make a writing on this card,
just for some n is-a dead. l want
for put on my door
Morris took the card and wrote in a
large scrawl. CLOSED For a Death"
Dots a misfortune" he murmured
In sympathetic accents. He shook An
nibale's proffered hand. Might your
fader is dead?" be inquired.
Annibale nodded gloomily.
Anyhow" Morris continued, you
open tomorrow again, amt itT"
II d'no," Annibale replied; maybe
yes, maybe no."
He affixed the card to his door and
after turning the lock made haste
down the crowded sidewalk. but not in
the direction of Mott street.
The Sabbath evening services at the
Norfon Street synagogue commence in
June at I o'clock, for as soon as three
stars twinkle In the armament the
Sabbath. on rabbinical authority, Is held
to have duly arrived. Accordingly at
a quarter to I Morris locked up his
store and repaired to his place of wor-
ship.
His Sabbath attire, of his own con-
struction. was a modification of the
frock coats respectively known as the
Prince Albert and London walking
suits. A silk hat of ancient vintage
completed the costume. and when
Morris. secure in the knowledge of his
standing as a business man and prop
erty owner. caught sight Of himself In
a plate glass window he felt as though
be were already engaged to the rich
Miss Beckie Adelstein.
The impression was heightened upon
his arrival at the synagogue, for as he
entered the boys choir was midway in
the chanting of Come, My Beloved, to
Meet the Bride" the song of Solomon,
which is a part of the ritual for the
Sabbath eve. Indeed, so personal was
the hymns allusion that he could not
forbear to blush. and to cover his en-
barrassment he bowed and swayed
vigorously. as though in the ecstasy of
prayer for the rest of the service.
At its conclusion he met Mr.. Freed
man. who stood in conversation with
his proposed father-in-law.
"A number vun.' he heard the
schatchen murmur, and. applying the
fattering term to himself, he COM
menced to glisten with a gentle mois-
ture of bashfulness.
The schatchen greeted him effu-
sively.
"Meestaire Geensburg." he cried,
does is M~eestaire Adelstein."
PLEASED to meet you" Morris croak-
ed.
Dots all right" Mr.. Adelstein said
airily, don't mention it."
"Und how is your daughter Becker"
Morris inquired.
Thank Gawdr' Mr.. Adelstein re-
piled piously, meaning that the young
lady was well. Here the conversation
languished until Mr.. Freedman jumped
into the breech.
"Ain't it d fine weather." he declar-
ed. I've so home by your way. Nee
Stare Geensburg."
He nudged the aspiring son-in-law in
the ribs.
Amt you def and dumb" he hiss
ed soto voce. Speech a little some
thing!'
They had proceeded as far as the
corner of Ginsburg's street.
"Und how is business?" Mr.. Adel
stein asked by way of encouragement.
Business Morris echoed, rs um-
broofen good"
He might as well have omitted the
evil dispelling term ''umbroofen." for
no sooner were the words out of his
mouth than a tremendous explosion
shook the ground.
"Oi gewoldtr' they exclaimed in
chorus. ''Vot is dot?'
Morris followed the throng hat ran
in the direction of his place of bust
hess and arrived in time to view An
nibale's barber shop and his w tailor
ing establishment burst into flames.
The Black Hand had carried out
their threat in good earnest. Before
the fire apparatus appeared both stores
were Quilted. and the Sabbath meal,
with its attendant ceremonies, was for
gotten by Adelstein and Freedman,
who stayed to view the stubborn
progress of the flames. The entire
building was involved in the destruc-
ton.
We'll, gentlemen" Mr.. Adelstein said
at length, 81 guess you excuse me. |
must go home to my supper. My fam
ily waits for me-"