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Updated: May 7, 2025
"I have perhaps less of this judgment than you think," said Gotzkowsky. "It may be that I have stood security." "Then you will certainly know how to pay?" said Itzig, with a forced laugh. "But how if I cannot pay?" said Gotzkowsky, sadly. Itzig stepped back, and gazed at him horrified.
Behind him sounded the wailing and raging of Itzig, who implored Heaven and hell to punish the criminal who had cheated him of his money. Exhausted and weary, Gotzkowsky returned to his house, and retired to his room, to give himself up to the sad and terrible thoughts which tortured him. He could not conceal from himself that the sword above his head was only suspended by two thin threads.
Envious people were not wanting who gave ear to this unkind rumor and even helped to spread it. But the fact that Mendel had been snatched from the jaws of death was sufficient vindication for Itzig, who for a long time enjoyed great honors at Kief. Mendel's fondness for study determined his future career. Nowhere were there such opportunities for learning the Talmud as in Kief.
"I don't believe a word of it," shouted another; "such things are impossible." "But we have proof of it before us," cried a third. "Itzig could not have returned by natural means."
"How should I know?" "Guess." "I might guess from now until the coming of Meschiach and still not be right." "Pesach Harretzki, your cousin and old admirer." Miriam sank into a chair and a smile rippled over her pretty features. "Pesach Harretzki here? When did he arrive?" "To-day. This morning. Itzig Maier, who knows all the news in town, has just told me.
But Gotzkowsky did not allow himself to be repulsed. It seemed to him that his future, his honor, his whole life hung upon this moment. He felt like a gambler who has staked his last hope upon one throw of the dice. If this fails, all hope is gone; no future, no life is left, nothing but the grave awaits him. With impetuous violence he seized the hand of the rich Itzig.
The little fortune which, if gossip spoke truly, he had acquired by his adroit manoeuvring at that time, had been dissipated; his family had grown larger and was a constant drain upon his meagre resources, while his income appeared to diminish as his expenses increased. Besides, Itzig had a daughter who was now of a marriageable age, and he was obliged to toil and save to provide a dowry.
After the last rouble had been spent, Itzig sought refuge in the great synagogue, where as beadle he executed any little duties for which the services of a pious man were required sat up with the sick, prayed for the dead, trimmed the lamps and swept the floor of the House of Worship; in return for which he thankfully accepted the gifts of the charitably inclined.
Gotzkowsky smiled at their glowing protestations of friendship, and withdrew himself gently from their ardent embraces. "I did not do it for the sake of your thanks, and personally you owe me therefore no gratitude." "Gotzkowsky, have you entirely forgotten us?" said a plaintive voice near him. It was Itzig, one of the rich Jews of the mint, to whom Gotzkowsky had promised assistance.
Listen, then, Herr Itzig, I am going to suspend payment; my house must fail!" Itzig shuddered with a sudden terror. "My God!" cried he, "only yesterday I bought a draft of yours. You will not pay it?" "I will not do it, because I cannot; and I would not do it, if I could. I have humbled myself before you in the dust, and you have stretched out no hand to raise me.
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