at once. suspected, a sternness which silenced and repelled them One other remark we must make in conclusion: her eldest son, Colonel Graham, who had just returned from abroad, was then visiting her. He had brought her many valuable presents, of the costly productions of foreign countries; and, among other things, had given her a ring, set with almost an invaluable diamond, which the old lady was at that time wearing, and perhaps (as some people said) displaying with rather more ostentation than a woman of her good sense should have done. But this may be only gossiping tittle-tattle. Our little merchant, Benoni de Leucada, was an orphan Jew, about fourteen years of age, whose sole property was deposited in the few silver wares he was carrying in a flat mahogany box, slung across his shoulder. He was tall of his age, though of a slender make; his countenance strikingly exhibited the characteristic physiognomy of his people, but without that sinister expression so often visible in it. Sorrow and unusual thought were deeply traced in every line of his face, which, notwithstanding, was one of extraordinary beauty. He might indeed have furnished a model for the study of a painter. As he went on his often extensive rambles from village to village, he was called the handsome little Jew; and many a kind-hearted countrywoman laid out her two shillings in a thimble, or bought a silver bodkin, out of pity for the solemn expression of grief which, she thought, had spoiled his beautiful face, while in fact, we believe, it owed a great part of its charm to that very cause. Such was the boy who, rather against the internal sentiment of some of her visitors, was ushered into the drawingroom of Mrs. Graham. The change of feeling was instantaneous and universal; and all thronged round the interesting lad, looking so curiously into his face, under pretence of admiring the arrangement of his goods, that he blushed deeply, both from the sense of the bright eyes upon him, and the consciousness that his poor box made but a miserable appearance. Mrs. Graham searched among his wares until she found what she wanted, and whilst so doing, of course exhibited her ring. The light radiated from the beautiful stone, which contrasted strangely with the paltry articles she was surveying. The eye of Benoni was rivetted by the ring: the lady spoke, but received no reply; and supposing he was amazed by the sight of so unusually splendid a diamond, and thinking that perhaps he might understand something of the value of stones, she said kindly, "You admire my ring, I suppose?" The boy cast upon her his fine eyes, swimming in tears, and exclaimed with emotion, "That ring was mine,--that ring was my mother's!" The ladies looked at each other in astonishment, and most of them immediately thought hardly of the poor boy, believing he intended to act some strange part. Mrs. Graham, assuming her sternest manner, replied sharply, that he was not brought there to own any lady's jewels, but merely to attend to his trade. Benoni no way daunted by the manner she intended should awe him, calmly and firmly declared the ring to have once been his sole property, which, having lost, he had been reduced almost to beggary. "If, however, what I assert be true," continued he, "that diamond may be removed by a delicate though complicated spring; and underneath will be found engraven two Hebrew words, and the initials A. L. I never mentioned this peculiar formation of the ring to the wretch who robbed me of it. It was a family secret: and therefore he could not communicate it to another." Mrs. Graham rang the bell, and ordered her son to be summoned ; then informing him of the strange relation of the boy, demanded from him, whether the ring had not been brought by himself from India, a few months before. The Colonel made no reply, but it was observed that an unusual flush passed over his brow. He took off his mother's ring, and placing it on his little finger, held it towards the boy, saying, "Now, sir, for your juggling ;-mind you, sirrah, however, if you attempt any fraud, I'll have such an example made of you, as every Jewish rascal shall remember to his death. وو "Sir," said the boy, not attempting to touch the ring, "what I have said is the truth. That ring has never been in India, since the day it was brought out of the mine, and that is at least, fifty years ago. As to practising fraud, how could I do it, if I would?" he continued earnestly. "I am an orphan, and poor; and in losing that ring, I lost all but what buried my father, and purchased the wretched articles with which I furnished this box. I am in your house, surrounded by your servants, how is it possible, then, that I could deceive you ? "If you will allow me, however, to hold the ring one moment, I will show you, not only how the diamond may be removed, but the initials of my mother, Adah de Leucada, and two Hebrew words, engraven beneath it." Feeling the truth of the boy's argument, and half ashamed of suspecting one so entirely in his power, the Colonel instantly handed him the ring. It was but the work of a moment, to displace what had appeared the firmly-set diamond, which he returned to the Colonel, giving, at the same time, the ring to Mrs. Graham. The signs he had spoken of, were beautifully distinct, though engraved in so small a space. Silence, and blank looks of astonishment, immediately succeeded, and the strange and magician-like boy was ordered to relate those circumstances which had so singularly connected him with the ring. The Colonel, however, in the first place, candidly made the avowal, that he had practised a little deception on his mother, with regard to the ring, as the one he had brought from India had been exchanged in London, for that to which it appeared some mystery was attached. The exchange had been made, because he considered this diamond so much finer than his own, and he wished to present his mother with the most valuable one he could obtain. Mrs. Graham appeared tolerably well satisfied with this explanation; and poor Benoni, standing before her elegant worktable, with the Colonel and the ladies seated round him, related a narrative to the following effect— His father was a Jew merchant of Lisbon, of considerable influence and wealth; and his mother was the daughter of one of the chief men of their people, and was remarkable not only for her beauty, but also for her large possessions. Joseph Solomon de Leucada, for such was his father's name, was considered a person of no small importance in the state, in consequence of bonds he held from the noblest families in Portugal, to whom he had advanced monies. His house was crowded by the most potent grandees and ministers; and from his knowledge of the European courts, the solidity of his judgment, his popular manners, and the influence he possessed over the Portuguese nobles, as well as from being the depository of many state secrets, he had acquired an extraordinary importance in the capital. After the earthquake, which demolished so considerable a portion of the city, and the whole property of many of the noblest families, Leucada, though himself a great sufferer, had still sufficient wealth left to assist those whose losses had been greater than his own. (To be continued.) THE SABBATH IS COME! THE Sabbath is come! and its beauties disclosing The beasts of the earth, and the warblers of heaven, The Sabbath is come! and the sun in his glory The Sabbath is come! boon of infinite grace, An earnest of love to the works of his hand On Sinai, confirmed by his solemn command. The Sabbath is come! redemption for man! Bright heralds of mercy from heaven proclaim, "The Saviour has risen! death, hell, and the grave, He has conquered! and now he is mighty to save!" The Sabbath is come! and saints shall rejoice, The Sabbath is come! and sinners may come The Sabbath is come! and it tells of a rest, Where no hunger nor thirst, no sickness nor death, When that Sabbath is come, it shall never depart; O Sabbath of heaven, down, down on my soul; And bid my freed soul to its ecstacies rise! September, 1851. J. R. |