Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/20

6 Rabbi asked his daughter to decide between Jacob and David. With a crimson blush on her beautiful face she replied, &quot;I love both my cousins alike, and I cannot show any preference.&quot;

&quot;Now,&quot; cried the Rabbi, &quot;what are we to do? She cannot marry both."

Again the old guest arose and said:—

&quot;Good host and hostess! It seems after all that you did well in calling us together to help you to find a solution to the problem of your daughter's marriage. What we advise you to do is to give a sum of money, say one hundred pounds, to each of your nephews and to send them out into the wide world to seek their fortunes. Your daughter will wait one year from to-night, and then she will marry the one who returns with the larger fortune.&quot;

&quot;Hear! Hear!&quot; cried the guests, and the nephews also appeared to be satisfied.

The Rabbi expressed his entire approval. All present agreed that this was a fair and proper solution. The party broke up and all went home satisfied with the result at which they had so unanimously arrived. That same night the Rabbi in the presence of his wife and daughter gave the two nephews one hundred pounds apiece and blessed them, wishing each one good luck. Next morning the two nephews set out on their quest of gaining a fortune. They