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The destruction of human life was appalling, many corpses being recovered from the river, days after the occurrence; and the number of people who were driven to insanity by the atrocities committed will probably never be known. Rabbi Winenki, who had received a dangerous wound, recovered slowly.
Let us trust that those who have suffered losses through the merciless hand of death may find some consolation in the greater happiness and prosperity of the community." Mendel was interrupted by a knock at the door, and Recha upon opening it gave admittance to a soldier, whose uniform proclaimed him one of the Governor's body guard. "I seek Mendel Winenki," said the man, with military precision.
In spite of its humble plainness, the place beams with cheerfulness; it bears the impress of holiness. Gradually the benches fill. All of the men, and many of the boys who form the population of the quarter, are present. Reb Mordecai Winenki, the reader, begins the service. Prayers of sincere gratitude are sent on high.
"Tell the Countess that I await her here, and then bring me the boy you found on the road!" Both Louise and Jacob made their appearance shortly after. Jacob had been washed and his hair combed, and not even the Count could deny that he was a lad of uncommon beauty. "What is your name?" interrogated the Count, with the air of a grand inquisitor. "Jacob Winenki." "Where do you live?"
"In the name of the Governor of Kief, I command you to go on!" shouted Loris. "Down with Rabbi Winenki and his family! Down with the miserable race that killed our Saviour!" The battering at the door was resumed with renewed vigor. A cry of triumph announced to the crowd that the barrier was down, and a portion of the infuriated mob rushed into the house.
Hearts were bleeding for some departed soul cut off in the midst of life by the lawless mob, or throbbing with suppressed sorrow at the enforced departure of relatives or friends for the distant shores of America. One by one a number of our old acquaintances and some of their friends entered the dwelling of Rabbi Winenki, glancing furtively behind them as though in fear of being watched.
There was a melancholy pleasure in recalling the trials they had experienced, contrasted with which their present security was all the more comforting. Mordecai Winenki related with tears in his eyes how he saved his wife's honor by a hasty flight from home, and how he arrived in Kief just in time for the Pesach festival.
The mobs soon had ringleaders; unscrupulous agitators who counted on the gain they could derive from a general pillage of the property of the wealthy Israelites. The greatest terror reigned in Kief. But for the example of a few energetic men, prominent among whom was Rabbi Winenki, the Hebrew population would have been in despair.
One day Rabbi Winenki was sitting in his study. It was raining in torrents without, and the landscape appeared deluged and desolate. The Rabbi gazed out at the dismal scene and sighed regretfully as he thought of those whose occupations compelled them to remain out of doors in such miserable weather. Suddenly the door was thrown open and Joseph came, or rather rushed, into the room.
The Count crossed the room and looked at the boy. "What is your name?" he asked, gruffly. "Jacob Winenki," answered the child, timidly. "A Jew!" ejaculated the Count. "By our Holy Madonna, that is just what I needed to make me completely happy the companionship of an accursed Jew!" Jacob instinctively divined that he was not welcome, and began to cry. "Please, I want my mamma!"
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