father while she herself would try to make preparations for the Sabbath.

Chatskel drew forth his pocket-book and all three counted: two dollars and ninetyseven cents, which sum, after the deduction of one dollar for a week's lodging, was reduced to one dollar and ninety-seven

cents.

66

Ah," exclaimed Chatskel, "not so bad yet! I am rich, for I am contented! Money, a lodging, and above all, though last, an Esther, a virtuous woman! And my Malkeh! How many millions is she worth? Is she not a real queen?1 May she live till one hundred years!

"With the entry of the Sabbath cometh the bliss of rest. I am happy and rejoice that we arrived in time to celebrate Sabbath according to our rites. Yes, Esther Leben, I'll lie down for awhile whilst you prepare for Sabbath, and then I'll go to

1 Malkeh signifies queen in Hebrew.

'Shool' (synagogue) and pour out my heart to our Lord, our Maker. I shall pray for your welfare, my beloved ones, for mine and for that of the entire human race. Oh, Esther Leben, is it the tea, or the pure love with which it was scented? I feel a new soul in me. Oh, I am so infinitely happy!"

He then arose and threw himself on the bed and within a few moments slept the sleep of the righteous. He dreamed, and in his dream he saw the sweetest visions of a paradise, reserved for the perfectly righteous only; he beheld a deputation of seraphim, ophanim, and holy beings surrounding him, the angel Michael to his right, Gabriel to his left, and at his head the resplendence of the mighty God. He heard a voice of God addressing him: "Fear thee not, Chatskel ben Shimon, the God of thy forefathers is with thee, thou shalt not stumble. Follow in the path of

the God of thy father Israel and thou shalt experience and enjoy all the glory he hath promised on Mount Moriah." Here the gates of the vaults opened themselves and lo, the treasures and luxuries stored up therein well-nigh blinded him. He was overwhelmed with a joy which knew no bounds and he cried out: "Hineni!" (Here I am, thy servant!) in a voice so ringing and powerful that Esther and Malkeh, who were busily engaged in cleaning fish in the hallway, in order not to disturb the one they loved from his sleep, became frightened and ran to his bedside.

"Masoltov! Masoltov!" he cried. “A Baskol! A Baskol!" (Good luck! Good luck! A voice of God! A voice of God!) The poor wife feared a derangement of his reason. He continued: See ye not the resplendence of God with us? Hear ye them not, the host of angels filling this space and in sweet chorus singing: 'Holy

holy-holy-Lord of hosts'? Oh, how happy am I! I am filled with joy! The Great, the Mighty, and the Tremendous is with all of us and we fear not!"

Mother and daughter soon understood the situation, and when Chatskel concluded with: "The name of the Lord be blessed eternally," they responded aloud " Amen."

It was four o'clock. Chatskel had learned from the landlady before he lay down, that they go to the synagogue on Allen Street at six, and she promised to send her little boy Simche with him as a guide. He jumped up quickly. How he longed to take his accustomed bath in honor of the Sabbath, but the expenditure it would involve, his being strange, and, above all, fearing that he might be late for the reception of the Sabbath, were factors weighty enough to dissuade him, and he contented himself with washing his face and hands. Esther had prepared warm water

for a foot bath, but wishing to be early in the synagogue so as to be able to indulge in the pentateuch, the abstract for the week and its commentary before the “Chazan (cantor) began, he thankfully declined to use it.

CHAPTER II

WHAT a mighty factor is song! We find even Spiegelberg in Schiller's "Robbers " indulging in singing. Some of the wildest animals are tamed by sweet strains of music and song. For ages song has been, and still is, the constant and inseparable companion of the Jew. When his heart is cast down he pours it out in song and finds solace in the soft minor keys. When he feasts or celebrates he gives vent to his happy feelings through song, and song constitutes the bulk of his religious services. It is easy to judge a nation's degree