Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/89

 Scrupulous Honesty. Exemplified in the Hospitable Rabbi Phinehas

the various virtues that adorned the ancient Hebrews, hospitality was not the least. They took pleasure in entertaining strangers, and administering to their comfort. It happened that two travellers came to the residence of Rabbi Phinehas, the son of Yair. The Rabbi bid them enter, take some refreshment, and stay with him over night. To this they willingly consented. They had with them a few measures of barley, which they probably intended to sell the first market-day: these they gave their kind host, to save for them till their departure. Early the next morning, they took leave of the Rabbi, thanking him for his hospitality, and proceeded on their journey. But in their hurry they forgot the barley. Phinehas waited several days; but finding they did not return, he ordered the barley to be sown, and the produce to be taken care of. More than a year elapsed before the travellers returned. As soon as Phinehas saw them, he knew them again.—"I suppose," said he, "you are come for the barley." "Yes, Rabbi," replied they; "when we were last here, we were so delighted with thy hospitality, that we never thought of the deposit till we were too far off