“For the Passover, is it not?” asked the President. “Greet your parents for me, Litvak. When your visitors come to Jerusalem, bring them to my house. It is arranged.” He extended his hand to them. They took leave of him while the orchestra struck up the beginning of the third act.
When they entered the foyer, Kingscourt exclaimed: “He seems a fine fellow, your President; but a little old and weak. Why did you elect him?”
“I can explain that in one word, Mr. Kingscourt,” said David. “We elected him because he didn’t want to be elected.”
“That is very fine.”
“Yes. We have discovered a great principle among the teachings of our sages: ‘Give honors to those who do not seek them.’”
(To be continued.)
The Jewish Captive*
Lo! where Euphrates, in his tranquil bed, —Scarce swells his heaving bosom to the light, While from the West a thousand hues are shed, To deck his waters, ere the somber night Shall on his gorgeous palaces come down, And shroud each glory in his darkened frown.
Forth from a marble fount the waters splash, And twinkle down in many a mimic fall That ever in the light like diamonds flash; And in their melody they seem to call To old Euphrates, as he wanders by, And spreads his waters to the golden sky.
* “Readings and Recitations.” Published by Jewish Lub. Society.