The Southern Jewish weekly. [volume] (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1939-1992, 1941-10-31
Sho|em AIechem
As 's'.;',., ! Knew Him
Especially written for the Southern Jewish Weekly
BY JENNY ROBERTS
Part VII
ALECHEM'S LATER YEARS
(COpyrighted)

OuTlnS the summer OF 1915 my
husband and 1 went to Belnlar,
New Jersey, in search of Sholem
Alechem's home. It was a beau
tiful Saturday afternoon, one of
those days that makes one happy
to be alive.
I was attracted by a hedge of a
vast variety of blooming gerani-
ums which enhanced the beauty
of pretty little cottage. 1 ad-
mired the artistic arrangement of
the flowers, and stopped in front
of the gate, wondering who the
fortunate occupant could be. The
cottage was outstanding in beau
ty in spite of it's simplicity, be-
cause of the brilliant hues of the
blooms growing as if in careless
; abandon.
Suddenly 1 thought I felt a
hand patting my shoulder gently.
Then came the voice Of the man
so greatly admired: How do
you like my floral arrangement,
Jennie? Do you think Bebe will
be pleased with our little nest ?"
turned and embraced him.
why of course she will, Sho-
lem. How can anyone help fall
ing in love with this dollhouse 2"
Il arranged the plants myself.
Of course if I could have afforded
roses = :" He sighed, and for
a moment thought he was sad,
but only for a brief moment Then
he added, his eyes ablaze with
happiness, Thank God that we
are here in this heavenly country"
Suddenly the expression on his
fine sensitive face changed, he
wore that oh! how 1 have suffered
in Russia and Germany look.
i These geraniums are delight
full, so colorful they gladden. the
heart" 1 assured him again. Il
know Bebe will be very happy
here, and 1 hope that she will
soon be strong again." Sholem
called his wife, Bebe, and each
letter he uttered seemed to be
wreathed in a caress.
+ i i
Sholem continued to write even
after his failing health made this
work a great exertion for him.
For several years before he died
the doctors ordered him to write
while standing. In order to be
able to write in this position he
had built a tripod.
While visiting the author in
Belmar, New Jersey, in 1915, not
knowing that the doctor had or
, dered him to stand while at work,
and seeing that he looked tired,
l handed him a chair. Then I
suggested that he discard his tri-
pod. Surely you would be more
at ease were you to sit and write
instead of standing for hours at
a time"
my dear Jennie" Sholem said
to me with deep feeling, gazing
meanwhile at the chair, you al
WAYS think of everyone's COM
fort, but nature does not quite
understand the needs Of a sick
man in the same light that you
do"
You see Jennie, I have decided
that in order to be great one must
also be tall, and I have several
inches to grow. That is why l
stand at least ten hours every
day." Sholem concluded with q
deep sigh.
Sholem loved little trinkets Of
all kinds, rings, watches, STICK
pins, and pen knives in particular; ;
hut I doubt whether they had
greater fascination for him than
the buckles on his opera shoes.
The only time that I ever saw
a man wearing evening pumps
with buckles was when Sholem
and his family were my guests In
New York City. He was all dress
ed to 90 to the theatre where Ad-
Ter was producing one of his plays
7 looked into his smiling face
I. mn glance dropped to his