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"The bal-shem has commanded it; it is sure to prove successful," said others. After a day spent in earnest but ineffectual arguments, Mendel saw that his endeavors in this direction were futile, and concluding that further interference would be useless, he sorrowfully wended his way homeward. The sun shone fiercely on the morrow upon a desolate landscape.
That a bal-shem should thrive and grow fat is a matter of course, for consultations were often paid for in gold.
"For God's sake, what is the matter? Why are you not in Tchernigof?" he said. "I was," retorted Itzig, "but I have come back. Here," he continued, opening a bag about his neck and carefully drawing therefrom a small piece of parchment covered with hieroglyphics, "put this under the boy's tongue and he will recover!" "But what is this paper?" asked Hirsch, suspiciously. "It is from the bal-shem.
It seemed as though I was suspended in the air, and trees, fields and villages passed me in rapid succession. This continued until about a half hour ago, when I suddenly found myself before Kief and at once hastened here with the parchment." This incredible story produced different effects upon the auditors present. "It is wonderful," said one. "The bal-shem knows the mysteries of God."
In the margin was written in Hebrew, "In the name of the Lord Rabbi Eleazer." There was no time for idle curiosity. Hirsch ran into the patient's presence with the precious talisman and placed it under the boy's tongue. "There, my child," he whispered; "the bal-shem sends you this. By to-morrow you will be cured."
The money, destined as a gift to the bal-shem, was securely strapped about his waist, and arrangements were made with a moujik, who was going part of the way, to carry Itzig on his wagon. "Get there as soon as possible, and by all means before Shabbes!" were Bensef's parting words. In the meantime not a little sympathy was manifested for the unfortunate lad.
From one end of the quarter to the other the inhabitants mourned for thirty days, bewailing the death of their beloved Rabbi, as though each household had lost a revered parent. The plague continued its ravages, and the people in their wild terror resorted to the bal-shem for amulets and talismans. On every door could be read the inscription, "Not at home."
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