Page:Famous stories from foreign countries.djvu/36

 The bitter smile reappeared on the face of Alfred.

“I have nothing!” he replied to the Jew.

But the Jew did not permit himself to be dismissed so easily.

He pushed his way into the room, and peered inquisitively about.

“Perhaps you’ll find something. Old shoes—books. Aron buys everything, everything, everything!”

“Look for yourself,” commanded Alfred, bitterly.

“Here is the clothes closet; here are the book cases, here—”

“As God is good, not a thing!” declared the Jew, amazed. “It’s as if it has just been swept out! Too bad—Young Man! Too bad! Aron pays—pays fine! At these words he drew from his dirty caftan a leathern purse and began to shake it. The bright sound of gold rang out; the alluring voice of the metal, more alluring than the voice of a siren. Alfred trembled at the sound. His eyes looked greedily upon the dirty purse. Over the face of the Jew flashed lightning swift a look of satisfaction. Patting lovingly the fat purse he continued:

“Aron pays—pays fine! Aron buys everything, everything, everything!”

“But can’t you see that I haven’t a thing to sell?” demanded Alfred angrily.

“Certainly the gentleman has something—for which Aron will pay many, many pieces of gold—”

“Stop this humbug, Jew! If you don’t, I’ll throw you down stairs and straight into Abraham’s bosom!”

“Aron knows what he says”, replied the Jew, in