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The interest of the bystanders waxed more lively. Among them stood a storekeeper, whose shop was close by. "Give him, Chayyim, a few jars of salt and other things that he wants even if it comes to a few gulden. We will contribute."
"All right, willingly !" said Chayyim. "A poor Gen- tile!"
"A precept, a precept! It would be carrying out a religious precept, as surely as I am a Jew!" chimed in every individual member of the crowd.
Chayyim called the peasant to him; all the rest followed. He gave him out of the stores two jars of salt, a bar of soap, a bottle of petroleum, and two packets of tobacco.
The peasant did not know what to do for joy. He could only stammer in a low voice, "Thank you ! thank you !"
"And there's a bit of Sabbath loaf," called out one, when he had packed the things away, "take that with you!"
"There's some more!" and a second hand held some out to him.
"More !"
"More !"
"And more!"
They brought Antosh bread and cake from all sides; his astonishment was such that he could scarcely articu- late his thanks.
The people were pleased with themselves, and Yainkel Leives, a cheerful man, who was well supplied for the
