156 MR. WILLIAM E. A. AXON ON THE 



'^Then tlie travellers continued on their journey. 



"Much was Rabbi Jochanan perplexed. ^Not only 

 did we neglect to pay them for their hospitality and 

 generous services^ but his cow we have killed ; ' and he 

 said to Elijah^ ^ Why didst thou kill the cow o£ this good 

 man who ' 



" ' Peace !' interrupted Elijah ; ' hear, see_, and be silent ! 

 If I answer thy questions we must part.^ And they con- 

 tinued on their way together. 



" Towards evening they arrived at a large and imposing 

 mansion, the residence of a haughty and wealthy man. They 

 were coldly received ; a piece of bread and a glass of water 

 were placed before them, but the master of the house did 

 not welcome or speak to them, and they remained there 

 during the night unnoticed. In the morning Elijah re- 

 marked that a wall of the house required repairing, and 

 sending for a carpenter, he himself paid the money for 

 the repair as a return, he said, for the hospitality they had 

 received. 



" Again was Eabbi Jochanan filled with wonder ; but 

 he said naught, and they proceeded on their journey. 



" As the shades of night were falling, they entered a 

 city which contained a large and imposing synagogue. As 

 it was the time of the evening service, they entered and 

 were much pleased with the rich adornments, the velvet 

 cushions, and gilded curves of the interior. After the 

 completion of the service, Elijah arose and called out 

 aloud, ' Who is here willing to feed and lodge two poor 

 men this night ? ' None answered, and no respect was 

 shown to the travelling stranger. In the morning, how- 

 ever, Elijah reentered the synagogue, and, shaking its 

 members by the hands, he said, '^I hope that you may all 

 become presidents.^ 



^^Next evening the two entered another city, when 



I 



