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his presence, because he considered that the injury done the second party to the suit was due to Anan's careless- ness. Anan in his distress kept many fasts, and offered up many prayers, before Elijah would return to him. Even then the Rabbi could not endure the sight of him ; he had to content himself with listening to Elijah's words without looking upon his face.70
Sometimes Elijah considered it his duty to force people into abandoning a bad habit. A rich man was once going to a cattle sale, and he carried a snug sum of money to buy oxen. He was accosted by a stranger — none other than Elijah — who inquired the purpose of his journey. " I go to buy cattle," replied the would-be purchaser. " Say, if it please God," urged Elijah. " Fiddlesticks ! I shall buy cat- tle whether it please God or not ! I carry the money with me, and the business will be dispatched." " But not with good fortune," said the stranger, and went off. Arrived at the market, the cattle-buyer discovered the loss of his purse, and he had to return home to provide himself with other money. He again set forth on his journey, but this time he took another road to avoid the stranger of ill omen. To his amazement he met an old man with whom he had pre- cisely the same adventure as with the first stranger. Again he had to return home to fetch money. By this time he had learned his lesson. When a third stranger questioned him about the object of his journey, he answered: " If it please God, I intend to buy oxen." The stranger wished him suc- cess, and the wish was fulfilled. To the merchant's surprise, when a pair of fine cattle were offered him, and their price exceeded the sum of money he had about his person, he
