e were many
millions of light money, many millions of bad eight-groschen pieces,
which, to this day, are known by the name of _Ephraimites_, and whose
repudiation at a later period ruined many thousands of honest,
worthy tradesmen, while Ephraim and Itzig became wealthy and powerful
thereby. Yet it was now this same money which brought misfortune to
them, and was the cause of their suffering and mortal anxiety; for
General Tottleben had threatened that if the Jews could not pay
the tax imposed on them, he would take the mint farmers with him as
hostages, and destroy their factories. Besides this, he had, as we
said before, arrested their elders and sworn to send them to Siberia,
if the Jews did not pay.

The payment was to be made in three days. But the three days had
elapsed, and they had not been able to raise the money which was
demanded of them. In this dire extremity, the two mint-contractors
remembered the man whom they had hitherto most cordially hated, and
whose ruin was the cherished wish of their life. They now recollected
that John Gotzkowsky was the only man who, in the generosity and
kindness of his heart, was capable of forgetting their former insults
and injuries, and of remembering only their need and misery. They
determined, therefore, to apply to him, and request his intercession
and assistance, but they did this with a bitter sigh, for they felt
the hatred and grudge which they nursed in their hearts toward him
become only more intense and stronger.

"Who would have thought it?" said Ephraim, as, by the side of Itzig,
and accompanied by some of the most wealthy Jewish merchants, he took
the road to Gotzkowsky's dwelling--"who would have thought it? The
powerful Russian General von Tottleben is the friend of Gotzkowsky,
and the greatest men among our people are now obliged to go to
Gotzkowsky's house to implore his influence and protection."

"Yes," sighed the rich merchant David, "we are obliged to apply to
him to befriend us, and yet what is he compared to you? You are much
richer than he is."

"Silence, unfortunate man!" cried Ephraim with a shudder, as he looked
shyly around. "I am poor, and for that reason can pay nothing. I am
poor, as all of us wretched Jews are. Have we not to contribute the
greater portion of the war-tax? Are not all our means exhausted? Is
that not enough?"

"Too much!" groaned Itzig, who till now had walked in melancholy
contemplation at Ephraim's other side. "It is t