Year: 1879

me. Bring him to me at once that |
may inform him Of my desire


After much search Rabbi Samson
was found standing in the multitude.
He was taken to the king. On hearing
what was desired of him, he was greatly
astonished and began offering excuses
on the plea that he was not able to
manage such exalted an office. But the
King said


that can manage 50 we'll the moneys
which God entrusts him with, must also
be able to manage the Exchequer of a
King. You must come to me into the
residence and be the Treasurer Of the
State. | give you only two weeks time
to wind up your affairs in this city.


Thus Rabbi Samson became the Treas
urer Of the King. He established for
himself large business house in the
Capital Of the State. All the Princes
and the Lords Of the realm patronized
him as he became vastly known for his
honesty and reliableness. He prospered
greatly, so that he was often able to
lend large sums of money to the State.
He grew in favor with the King the
more he became known to him. But in
all his prosperity, Rabbi Samson perse-
vered in his serenity and modesty.


One day, when the King was in a very
good humor, he asked Rabbi Samson
Tell me now, my good and faithful
Treasurer, Of how much money does thy
riches consist?'


If your Majesty please, [ could not
answer this question at once. | never
try to keep such things in my memory.
If your Majesty will allow me three
days time, | shall refer to my books
and give a correct answer"


The three days time was allowed him,
after the lapse Of which he came to the
King and reported that his riches con-
sisted of eighty thousand guldens.


W udt CACldlulCC UliC AlilS' OHlS
eighty thousand guldens? Why, the
Treasury of the State owes you more
than treble the amount Thou hast
willfully and adviscdly deceived me.
Thou shalt be banished from my coun-
try, and all thou hast shall be confscat-
ed by the State for this falsehood p


Thus the King spoke without giving
Rabbi Samson an opportunity to Justify
himself. The following day all that the
Rabbi possessed was confscated and he
was banished from the country to roam
about as q beggar in foreign lands. The
Community of Ostropol wanted to take
care of his family, but he refused to
leave them behind.


God will protect and hel p me for the
sake of my wife and children, who have
done no wrong. lived for them and in
their arms | will die wherever Provi-
dence wills it that my life shall end. >"


After the lapse of three years, the
King went to travel iincogntto in foreign
lands and took the Queen with him.
He arrived into a German city AGght-
ing from the carriage in which they
travelled, the Queen broke one Of her
rings in holding on to pole while try
ing to step over muddy place Imme-
diately the King despatched a servant
of the hotel to bring a jeweler to repair
the broken ring How great was his
astonishlnent when Rabbi Samson was
ushered into his presence.


Rabbi Samson y he exclaimed, what
art thou doing here ?"


Since your Majesty has exiled me
from my native land, the Rabbireplied,
8" | have come to this city and pursued
my profession as jewelcr. 1t was very
hard for me to work myself up at first,
as | had nothing to commence with
but now it is better, thank God, my
family and myself need not suffer for
want of a meal.


What is the amount of your riches
now ?" asked the King mockingly, eye
| ing the poor apparel of the Rabbi