The Denver Jewish news., 1919-07-30
KAsRIEL THE WATERMAN
His Passion for Building.
By RUFUS LEARsI

The two pals" little Benjy and old
Kasriel the watchman, were sitting to-
gether late one night, when they heard
soft steps moving about among the
piles of building material.
Its thief" whispered Benny.
''Shshhhh' said Kasriel, grasping a
thick stick which lay near him. But
moment later he sat down again.
ITS my old one" he lid with a
soft chuckle And sure enough there
soon appeared a thin little woman with
II glossy wig who sat down beside
Kasriel.
II felt better" she said, ''and
couldn't stay away any longer"
And the wonderful secret of Kasriel
and his ''oid one" their joint night
watches. began again.
That night Benny, who, as a real
pal" enjoyed full confidence. learned
that they possessed another great
secret Kasriel and his "old one' were
planning and saving to end their days
in the Land of Israel.
"But amt this the best country in
the world?" Benny protested.
1T is Kasriel assented. But,
and he hesitated.
but he wants to live in his own
louse." Make concluded for him.
MY uncle" stated Benny, thought
four lots for fifty dollars. He could
have four houses, only the lots are too
far from his candy stdre."" -e5
tBut Kasriel, said Make @fnde "a.
vof." ea
"A vow?
Yes, Benny. i swore an oath never
to build myself house any more ex-.
cept in the Land of Israel. It's a long
story"
start 'er Off" said Benny, as lie set
tied back to listen.
II always loved to build, Benny"
Kasriel began. when ! was boy
used to catch it many time from.
my father for spending whole days
looking on where building was being
done. When was older I worked at
the building trades and my dearest
hope was to build house for myself
some day and live in it. Building used
TO draw me like magnet"
tMaybe that's why you are now a
watchman," Benny suggested.
Sure !" answered Kasricl's old one.
He could have better jobs and sleep
hy night, but, no! He must have
buildings."
well. Benny, after many years ]
did build my own house, and not one
hut several. The first one was mere
hut with straw roof and only one
window. 1 loved it because it was the
work of my own hands,. but after Il
while wanted bigger and better
one. So 1 moved to another village
and built one with gable and little
porch and two rooms and three win
dows. In that house we lived IN Coy
and sorrow for many years. But the
children came and God was good TO
me and began to think Of n still. big
ger and finer house. The building few
cr must have come over me for / felt
must build myself new house.
5lo-So we moved to the village of Pin
enka, which is the prettiest village III
lall those parts And chose pretty
site overlooking the river and bought
the land from a peasant aud, there
built my house. I built it with the
sifought of living there the rest Ofiniy
days. l planned the rooms hrge with
many windows. / made a long broad
porch in the front and a smaller one
i'm the back. a floor of hard polished
wood. two gables and garret, aud
roof of bright green shingles. And
every beam and board and shinsie.
every trowel of plaster laid with my
own hands. j was never so happy as
when l was building that house. 1t
took long but we went to live in it
before it was quite finished.
And later / added a barn and
stable for my horses and another for
the COW. and a little chicken-coop and
pigeon house. and"
And when there was nothing new