The Glenwood post., 1924-02-28
The Family
Feud
By MORRIS SCHULTZ
70. 1898. Western Newspaper Uniou.)

lilies. One of them had done some
thing to one of the other In the past,
in the old country. Ephraim Rabl-
noyitz, stern, bearded patriarch,
guarded his Becky like the apple of
his eye from Jacob Epstein. What
mattered 1t If Jacob had been to col
Iege7 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 cOmers.
No one could beat Ephraim. He had
one wonderful move, halfway through
the game; ganlbit no one could fol
low. 1t always won
On the day after Becky eloped with
Jacob Epstein the old man was in his
corner us usual. one of the bystand-
| ers, who had not heard the news that
was percclating through the East side,
asked him how his daughter was.
Daughter? l have no daughter"
replied old Ephraim mildly.
Ephraim was. like that, mild in man.
ner, bitter at heart. He never acknOwl-
edged that he had had 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 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 a 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 crowning In
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
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. Rabinowitz, 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. II win-my wife
and 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
ter.
Everybody watched with bated
breath. The game proceeded along
strictly orthodox lines until Ephraim's
move was due. He made 1t. What
happened7 A lightning change in the
situation, the sudden hurting of his
forces forward?
No! 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 single motion of his hand
he 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
come forward into the circle of spec
tators.
."My game" said Jacob coolly. "This
lady Is my wife, Mr.. Rabinowitz.
call upon you, as man Of honor. to
fulfill the terms of the compact"
Old Ephruim's bloOdshot, haggard
! eyes passed from Jacobs to Becky's
Becky was standing where she used to
stand beside her father. Nobody
stirred.
"Do you honor your word. sir?'
Jacob asked.
Old Ephraim looked ut Becky, and a
spasm shook him. "Oi. OF" he moaned
"You taught that fellow my gambit
rraitress."
But. father, was no longer your
daughter" pleaded Becky. "Oh. father
say that you will forgive u.s."
Ephraim rose up from his chair. az
forgive" he muttered. "Come home
children. We've got to keep that gam
bit In the family"