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the Russian vast domain, through the usual mismanagement and thievery, was drained and impoverished to such an extent that thousands of its citizens perished from starvation, and the famishing multitudes, realizing that their misfortune was due solely to the misrule and the licentiousness of the aristocracy, autocracy, and bureaucracy, began to appeal to the government and cry aloud for bread, and the government, despite fusillades and martial law, finding itself inadequate to cope with the maddened people, succeeded in diverting their attention by inciting them against the Jews, making the raving creatures believe that none other than the "Zhidi" were responsible for the distressing conditions of the country. Pogroms were instituted by government officials in the cities most densely populated by Jews. Slaughter, rapine, pillage, and the torch intoxicated the mobs who were bound to mete out re

venge to some one. In the meantime the government gained respite and gathered together all the forces, holding them in readiness to shoot down, to incarcerate and to banish to Siberia all those whom it believed to be in its way, even the same ones who so shortly before had served it as bludgeons, lest they again appeal for bread.

It was during the Bialystok massacre that Reb Khayim Sokoloff, a hoary Jew of patriarchal appearance, was on his way home from his morning worship. A bag under his arm containing his praying shawl and phylacteries was believed by a drunken Muscovite soldier to be filled with valuables. A terrific blow on the head with the butt of the rifle more than sufficed to lay Sokoloff low. He never regained consciousness, and in a few days succumbed to the wound he had received. Shall we attempt to depict the agony of poor Leah,

his only daughter, who, motherless since birth, was the apple of his eye? No, gentle reader, our vocabulary is inadequate of description, and while our tears glide upon the altar of human sympathy we will patiently follow the current of the stream of fate and be repaid when we see poor Leah arrive at marital bliss which brings light into her darkened heart.

Gdalya Brunoff was deprived of his parents in his early youth. He was cared for by charitable people until his thirteenth year, when he entered the banking house of Pollak & Co. Through diligence and faithful service he imbedded himself in the hearts of his employers, whose confidence in him grew faster and firmer every day. Among Gdalya's benefactors had been Reb Khayim Sokoloff. Of grateful character Brunoff was ever alert to find opportunity to show his gratitude. Sokoloff was not blessed with an abundance of

earthly possessions and not infrequently he was obliged to avail himself of Brunoff's kindness. Even at the time of his demise he was in his debt. Gdalya had already then advanced to junior partnership in the banking firm and was well able to look upon Sokoloff's note as a mere form only. Destroying the document he effaced every evidence of the indebtedness and was content that no one knew of it.

The many hours he had passed in Reb Khayim's home gave Gdalya an opportunity to watch Leah's physical and mental development. Though his attachment for her had grown constantly stronger, it had not entered his mind, previous to the time of the direful catastrophe, how dear she had become to him. He felt the weight of her misfortune very keenly and in his love and compassion he vowed to himself to try to replace to her the loving father and companion in every possible way.

After Time, the great healer, had wrought its soothing influence upon her grief-stricken soul, Leah begged Gdalya to procure work for her in some office or store.

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Leah," he tenderly replied, "you shall work for no one else than for

with me."

- pardon

"Is there a position open in your establishment which you think I could fill?" interrupted Leah surprised.

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'No, Leah, not in the establishment in which I am interested financially, but in the establishment of my hearth that, to found for you and me, my heart, which you already occupy, ardently desires."

A look which overspread her countenance made Gdalya hastily add, “It is not pity, but my ardent love for you which is dictating this proposal. The conviction that you are making me happy will, I am sure, also render you happy. The

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