able assortment, from a refreshing oasis in the burning desert, sunshine in rainy season, perpetual youth, and so on, to the begetting of sons instead of daughters, but where the omission of giving the much coveted coin will turn the sweet sounding good wishes into unthinkable curses. Just as the Ghetto Jew will call down on you all blessings in return for a favor, or at festive occasions, so will he, with the same aptitude, let loose a shower of invectives if you happen to arouse his ire. Good wishes, whether prompted by ulterior motives or by a sharing heart, are always prone to strike an harmonious chord. On New Year good wishes are greatly in vogue. Sweet to the ear and soothing to the soul are the good wishes which flow from sympathy. "It is The silver link, the silken tie, Which heart to heart and mind to mind, Kalmen Wielnik's kind and sympathetic soul was heavily laden with unadulterated and holy wishes for all men all the year round, and they grew particularly with the approach of the New Year. He was permeated by the essentiality of bearing good will to all and hatred to none before asking pardon from heaven for the wrongs he might have committed. After worship in the synagogue on New Year's eve, when he had exchanged good wishes with a number of the congregants, Wielnik could scarcely await his home-coming in order to relieve himself of the special good wishes he had in store for his nearest and dearest. Shprintza waited for him at the door, for the longing had been mutual. Holding her head in both his hands and looking into her face with paternal affection, he said softly: "My daughter, I wish you a most happy New Year! May your life be as sweet as honey. May I live to lead you under the 'Khoopa' (canopy of wedlock), during the ensuing year. Tremblingly I utter this wish. You are of invaluable assistance to me in all my enterprises. You are my friend- my companion. The thought of parting with you bends me lower than does the weight of my years. You are my youngest child, the last fruit of my love; the later the fruit the greater its lusciousness. But no, my good Shprintza, the stronger the love of a father for his child, the less selfish and the more self-denying he should be. I am growing old, very old, not only in years but also in spirit. The loss of your brave and chaste mother, the incurable condition of your brother and" - here he gave vent to tears" the deplorable condition of our country, which I love with all the fibres of my soul, are speeding me to the grave. I feel that my days are counted, and I pray to God to grant me the privilege of seeing you in a haven of happiness before I die." Kissing her and pressing her to his heart, he continued: "May the Lord Zebaoth fulfill the wishes of your heart. I know your desires are pure.' Shprintza was greatly moved. She wept copious tears, her entire frame shook, her lips quivered. How gladly would she have uttered some words of encouragement to soothe the perturbed soul of her father. But in vain was her struggle. She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of his heart. What an array of pictures passed before the vision of her soul:- her loving mother, who had been torn from her three years before, succumbing to the shock caused by the terrible " pogrom " when she saw innocent babes hurled from upperstory windows down to the cobble-stoned street; the rapid decline of her beloved father and the thought that she perhaps would not be able to fulfill his most ardent wish of seeing her married soon. She threw her arms around his neck and leaned her head upon his shoulder, and their loving souls communicated through their vehemently beating hearts. It required several days for both Mr. Wielnik and his daughter to recuperate from the excitement and to free themselves to some extent from the torturing visions called forth by the exchange of their New Year's greetings. Though both were encompassed by the one thought of trying to render each other happy, each nevertheless reverted to the individual heart's craving - to the one who should become the husband of Shprintza. Some business affairs called Mr. Wielnik to Lomza. Shprintza gladly accepted her father's invitation to accompany him. The drive by team from Ostrowo to Zembrowo is delightful, especially in the early autumn of the year. The tall white birch |