Chapter I: Preface

The "Ghetto Tragedies" collected in a little volume in 1893 have been so submerged in the present collection that I have relegated the original name to the sub-title. "Satan Mekatrig" was written in 1889, "Bethulah" this year. Anyone who should wish to measure the progress or decay of my imagination during the ten years has therefore materials to hand. "Noah's Ark" stands on the firmer Ararat of history, my invention being confined to the figure of Peloni (the Hebrew for "nobody"). The other stories have also a basis in life. But neither in pathos nor heroic stimulation can they vie with the literal tragedy with which the whole book is in a sense involved. Mrs. N.S. Joseph, the great-hearted lady to whom "Ghetto Tragedies" was inscribed, herself walked in darkness, yet was not dismayed: in the prime of life she went down into the valley of the shadow, with no word save of consideration for others. I trust the new stories would not have been disapproved by my friend, to whose memory they must now, alas! be dedicated.

I.Z.

OCTOBER, 1899.

CONTENTS

I PAGE "THEY THAT WALK IN DARKNESS" 1

II

TRANSITIONAL 41

III

NOAH'S ARK 79

IV

THE LAND OF PROMISE 127

V

TO DIE IN JERUSALEM 159

VI

BETHULAH 185

VII

THE KEEPER OF CONSCIENCE 249

VIII

SATAN MEKATRIG 345

IX

DIARY OF A MESHUMAD 403

X

INCURABLE 457

XI

THE SABBATH-BREAKER 479

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I

"THEY THAT WALK IN DARKNESS"

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I

"THEY THAT WALK IN DARKNESS"