Page:Yiddish Tales.djvu/180

 176 SHOLOM-ALECHEM

Instead of one bundle, one has two on one's shoulders, you understand ? Besides being worn with anxiety about my own, I had to tremble for the other, because if Esau, which Heaven forbid, fail to pass, it's all over with Jacob. But what I went through before I got that Christian, a shoemaker's son, Holiava his name was, is not to be described. And the best of all was this would you believe that my shoemaker, planted in the earth firmly as Korah, insisted on Bible teaching? There was nothing for it but my son had to sit down beside his, and repeat the Old Testament. How came a son of mine to the Old Testament? Ai, don't ask! He can do everything and understands everything.

With God's help the happy day arrived, and they both passed. Is my story finished? Not quite. When it came to their being entered in the books, to writing out a check, my Christian was not to be found ! What has happened? He, the Gentile, doesn't care for his son to be among so many Jews he won't hear of it! Why should he, seeing that all doors are open to him anyhow, and he can get in where he pleases ? Tell him it isn't fair ? Much good that would be ! "Look here," say I, "how much do you want, Pani Holiava?" Says he, "Nothing!" To cut the tale short up and down, this way and that way, and friends and people inter- fering, we had him off to a refreshment place, and ordered a glass, and two, and three, before it all came right ! Once he was really in, I cried my eyes out, and thanks be to Him whose Name is blessed, and who has delivered me out of all my troubles ! When I got home, a fresh worry ! What now ? My wife has been reflect-