A Song of a Single Note: A Love StoryBarr, Amelia E.
General
A Song of a Single Note: A Love Story
Barr, Amelia E.
Fiction; Love stories
"Certainly, Mr. Cohen," he answered, as he stepped inside the gloomy
warehouse, crowded with articles of great beauty and astonishing value.
"Will you sit here, if you please, sir," and Cohen drew a large stool
forward for Neil; "I must not detain you, your time is worth much money,
many people wish to buy it, but it is land I would buy, if you will sell
it to me."
"Land, Mr. Cohen! Perhaps a house----"
"No, it is the land you own next to our synagogue. If you will remember,
I had it in my heart to buy this plot of ground six years ago. I thought
then we could build a larger temple, one more worthy for our worship;
but we did not reach agreement at that time and then came the war. I
offered you then, four hundred pounds for the land; to-day I make you
the same offer if you will take it."
Neil's emotion was almost beyond his control. For a few minutes he could
not answer the proposition, but Cohen had the patience of the Jew, and
he divined the young man's agitation and mental tremor. Silent and
motionless he waited for Neil's reply. It came strained and hesitating,
as if speech was an effort.
"Mr. Cohen--I will sell you the land--yes, indeed! As you say, for four
hundred pounds."
"To-morrow? Can the sale be completed to-morrow?"
"I will prepare the papers to-day."
"I am well pleased."
"Mr. Cohen, this is a great surprise--a good surprise--you do not
understand how good. I believe it is something more than business you
intend; it is sympathy, kindness, friendship."
"It is business, but it is kindness also, if you will accept it. Your
house have ever done me good, and not evil. I and mine prayed for
you--yes, the Jew knows the pang of injustice that must be borne without
protest and without redress."
"You have done my family and myself an unspeakable kindness. I were the
worst of ingrates not to acknowledge it," and Neil rose and offered his
hand. And when Cohen took it, and held it for a few moments within his
own, a marvellous change passed over the old man. The timid attitude,
the almost servile respect, vanished; his face beamed with a lofty
expression, his eyes met Neil's frankly; in the prosaic surroundings of
the dark, crowded shop he looked, for a few moments, like an Eastern
prince.
As they stood thus together, Neil longing to say something that should
show his deep gratitude and friendship, and forgetting that Israel in
America at that day still preserved much of their Oriental seclusion in
household matters, asked after his daughter, Mrs. Belasco. "I have not
seen her since her marriage," he said; "but I can never forget her. It
was her promptitude in the duel between Captain Hyde and myself that
saved my life."
"She has a good heart;" then suddenly, "come, come into my home, yes,
come in and see her."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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