EEB SHLOIMEH 333
to a fish." He was a member of all the charitable societies. The Talmud Torah was established under his own roof, and pretty nearly maintained at his expense. The town called him the "father of the com- munity," and all unfortunate, poor, and bitter hearts blessed him unceasingly.
Reb Shloimeh was the one person in the town almost without an enemy, perhaps the one in the whole prov- ince. Rich men grumbled at him. He was always after their money always squeezing them for charities. They called him the old fool, the old donkey, but without meaning what they said. They used to laugh at him, to make jokes upon him, of course among themselves; but they had no enmity against him. They all, with a full heart, wished him joy of his tranquil life.
Reb Shloimeh was born, and had spent years, in wealth. After making an excellent marriage, he set up a business. His wife was the leading spirit within doors, the head of the household, and his whole life had been apparently a success.
When he had married his last child, and found him- self a grandfather, he retired from business, and lived his last years on the interest of his fortune.
Free from the hate and jealousy of neighbors, pleasant and satisfactory in every respect, such was Reb Shloimeh's life, and for all that he suddenly became melancholy ! It can be nothing but the fear of death !
But very soon Reb Shloimeh, as it were with a wave of the hand, dismissed the past altogether. 22
