Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1924-04-10
The Family
Feud
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BY NORRIS SCHULTZ
20. 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)

|
70. 1923. Western Newspaper Union)
THERE was a feud between the
Rabinovitz and the Epstein fam.
lilies. One of them had done some
thing to one of the other in the past,
In the old country. Ephraim Rabi
novitz, stern, bearded patriarch,
guarded his Becky like the apple OF
his eye from Jacob Epstein. What
mattered 1t if Jacob had been to col
lege? One of Jacobs ancestors had
offended one of his ancestors In the
old country.
Ephraim was reputed wealthy. He
sat all day long in Mirowitz' place,
playing chess, challenging all corners.
No one could beat Ephraim. He had
one wonderful move, halfway through
the game; gambit no one could fol-
low. 1t always won.
On the day after Becky eloped with
Jacob Epstein the old man was in his
corner as usual. One of the bystand-
ers, who had not heard the news that
was percolating through the East side.
asked him how his daughter was.
Daughter have no daughter"
replied old Ephralm mildly.
Ephraim was like that, mild in man.
ner, bitter at heart. He never acknowl-
edged that he had had a daughter,
even though Jacob was making good as
salesman and they lived In a fine
apartment uptown.
Day by day he continued to sit play
ing chess in Mirowitz'. 1t was a point
Of honor with him to take on all COM
ers. Once Becky used to stand beside
his chair and watch. Now there was
no Becky. But.
There were stories of Becky who
had come to the apartment with a
child in her arms and seen her father
face to face. "No, no, do not know
you, madam" Ephraim had answered.
That Madam" was the browning in
suit. 1t signi6ed that she was no
longer of his race. Even on Yom Kip
pur when Jewish people are recon-
ciled, he had denied Becky
He was sitting in his corner. Sud
denly the onlookers gasped. Jacob
Epstein, looking very prosperous and
pale, had pushed forward. 81 will play
a game with you, Mr.. Rabinowitz," he
said.
For moment old Ephraim was non
plussed. He could not give vent to
anger, for according to his hypothesis,
he had never heard of Jacob. He hes
itated and glared.
"Sit you down." he said coldly.
"But Mr. Rabnowitz, shall we not
have little stake on the gamer" asked
Jacob.
Ephraim shrugged his shoulders.
what you Will"
Listen, then. If you win, pay you
a thousand dollars. If l win-my wife
and l adopt you as our father"
Ephraim looked thunderstruck.
Then a boisterous mood seized him.
"Sit you down !" he roared. "What Is
your name, my future SOM"
"Jacob Epstein" replied the other.
Ephraim chuckled. 1t was evident
that he meant to give Jacob the trim
ming Of his life, daughter or no daugh-
ter.
Everybody watched with bated
breath. The game proceeded along
strictly orthodox lines until Ephraim's
move was due. He made II. What
A lightning change in the
situation, the sudden hurting Of his
forces forward?
MOI Something had happened.
Ephraim looked bewildered. He had
made his famous, mysterious move, and
Jacob had countered. He sat gnaw-
ing his beard In perplexity. Then he
looked up at Jacob. And suddenly he
burst into such oaths as had never
been known to come from his lips be-
fore. With a single motion of his hand
ne swept every piece from the board.
He sank back in his chair, glaring
defiance about him, at Jacob-at
Becky, who had appeared, who had
,ome forward into the circle Of spec
ators.
"My game" said Jacob coolly. "This
adv is my wife, Mr.. Rabinowitz.
all upon you, as man Of honor, to
ulfill the terms of the compact"
Old Ephraim's bloodshot, haggard
yes passed from Jacobs to Becky's.
Becky was standing where she used to
tand beside her father. Nobody
TIRED.
"Do you honor your word, sirT'
acob asked.
Old Ephralm looked at Becky, and
pasm shook him. "Oi, oil " he moaned.
You taught that fellow my gamb!t,
"But, father, / was no longer your
aughter," pleaded Becky. "Oh, father,
ay that you will forgive u.s."
Ephraim rose up from his chair. Il
Drgive," he muttered. Come home,
hildren. We've got to keep that gam
it in the family"