A Modern Abraham Lincoln
LITTLE introduction is needed for the refugess of this persecuted race; to us they are no strangers. We have seen them in their close, ill-smelling, and not overclean shops, toiling from early morn until late at night, with never a complaint, although their wage is small and their task laborious.
A settlement of these strangers from far-off Poland, including their wives and children, numbering in all probably two hundred souls, had located on the outskirts of the city of Brooklyn, near Brownsville, where they lived like one large family in the same circle, continuing the traditions, customs and religion of their native land.
Among the men working in the recently established tailor shops, was one who towered above the others, not only because he had studied English and could quote the Talmud, but on account of a certain indescribable something about him that commanded their respect.
He was their arbiter in all disputes, no matter how trifling, or how great. To him, at all times, without hesitation and with implicit faith were intrusted sums of money, either to be deposited in the savings bank or turned into a draft to be forwarded to some loved one in their far-off native land. His decision was recognized on all occasions as final, and none questioned his always fair and impartial rendition. After a time the name of Abraham Lencoffsky became a household word in this little settlement.
Strange as it may seem, Lencoffsky had come amongst them as a perfect stranger, being a native of a different part of Russia from that of any of his neighbors. They knew but little regarding his previous life and antecedents. In appearance, Lencoffsky was not much different from the other men that worked in the shop with him, excepting that he was a trifle taller and had been introduced into the mysteries of a beard trim. It was hard to judge his age, as he had made no intimate friends, his age and past life were problems of great importance to the neighborhood.
His intelligence and close attention to his machine were readily recognized, and it was but a short time afterward that Lencoffsky was given entire charge of the factory. His employer had accumulated a few dollars, and now began to dabble a bit in real estate, and could not give full attention to his shop. But Rubenstein, the contractor, was a shrewd man, and he had made no mistake in placing Lencoffsky at the head of the shop.
Abraham Lencoffsky's wages had been increased considerably from what he was formerly getting while working at the machine, but there was no change in his mode of living, for he continued to occupy the small room in the very modest boarding house kept by a widow of one of the men, who had lost his life in an accident.
The belles of this little American Poland had cast sheep’s eves at Abraham,