EZRIELK THE SCEIBE 229
and great-grandfather used to pray. Believe me, broth- ers, I would not do it, only they give me one hundred and fifty rubles earnest-money, and I want to pass it on to my father and father-in-law, so that they may rebuild their houses. To your health, brothers ! Drink to my remaining an honest Jew, and wish that my head may not be turned by the honor done to me !"
And Ezrielk began to davven and to sing (again without a choir) in the Great Shool, in the large town of Kamenivke. There he intoned the prayers as he had never done before, and showed who Ezrielk was! The Old Shool in Kabtzonivke had been like a little box for his voice.
In those days Ezrielk and his household lived in hap- piness and plenty, and he and Channehle enjoyed the respect and consideration of all men. When Ezrielk led the service, the Shool was filled to overflowing, and not only with Jews, even the richest Gentiles (I beg to distinguish!) came to hear him, and wondered how such a small and weakly creature as Ezrielk, with his thin chest and throat, could bring out such wonderful tunes and whole compositions of his own ! Money fell upon the lucky couple, through circumcisions, weddings, and so on, like snow. Only one thing began, little by little, to disturb their happiness : Ezrielk took to cough- ing, and then to spitting blood.
He used to complain that he often felt a kind of pain in his throat and chest, but they did not consult a doctor.
"What, a doctor ?" fumed Reb Yainkel. "Nonsense ! It hurts, does it? Where's the wonder? A carpenter,
