High Destiny
Sketch for a Novel
By Richard Bransten
IN those days San Francisco had just developed from a frontier city into a commercial center. The older Jews were still very proud of the pioneering they had done, and of their part in the building of the city. In those days every Jew of social prominence knew every other worthwhile Jew: about his parents and his bringing up, whether his people were of German stock or merely Poles, cultured or just moneyed, how often he went to Temple and how much he gave to charity. Every Jew in society esteemed Philip Selznick's parents and admired their fine house on Van Ness Avenue.
When Philip graduated from the Harvard Law School his prospects of building up a practice were assured. His father bought him an interest in a prominent firm and Philip had an ingratiating personality. He was friendly and anxious to please and not afraid of work. Tall and athletic, with light hair and a winning smile, he made friends easily. His eastern manners distinguished him. When he had been home a few months Philip became interested in Madeleine Birnbaum. Philip's parents told each other proudly that their son wasn't one of those wasters, and didn't have any of the ideas most college fellows have. He knew what was what! For Madeleine's father had founded the Oriental Steamship Company and owned the controlling interest. Madeleine was the youngest of three children, the apple of her father's eye, and Mr. Birnbaum must be worth well over eight million dollars. Philip's parents told each other proudly that their son wasn't one of those wasters.
Philip courted Madeleine for a year while she made up her mind. Madeleine had many suitors though she wasn't very good-looking. She was slight and dark, with a thin mouth and deep-set eyes, and she had a sharp wit. When she felt certain that Philip was as good a catch as any other young man in San Francisco she gave in and married Philip. After their honeymoon in Del Monte and Santa Barbara they moved into a handsome house, and entertained and associated with just the right other Jews, Sometimes, because of their nice income and because Mr. Birnbaum was President
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