t is a petrified tear of joy," interrupted Itzig, "shed by us on our
delivery by you from taxation. You are our greatest benefactor, our
best friend. You have proved yourself the savior of the Jews, for you
freed us from the tax, and saved us what is more precious than honor,
and rank, and happiness--our money; for, without money, the Jew is
nobody. Accept, therefore, the ring, and wear it for our sakes."

"Accept it, we pray you," cried Ephraim, and the Jews took up the cry.

Gotzkowsky took the ring, and placed it on his finger, thanking the
givers for the costly present, and assuring them he would wear it with
pleasure in honor of them.

Itzig's brow was clouded with a slight frown, and stepping back to
Ephraim and his friends, he muttered, "He accepts it. I was in hopes
he would refuse it, for it cost much money, and we could have made
very good use of it."

The solemn advance of the honorable gentlemen of the Berlin Town
Council interrupted Itzig's private soliloquy, and drew his attention
toward the chief burgomaster, Herr von Kircheisen, who, in all
the splendor and dignity of his golden chain and of his office,
accompanied by the senators and town officers, strode pompously
through the crowd, and presented his hand to Gotzkowsky, who was
respectfully advancing to meet him.

"The Council of Berlin has come to thank you. For it is an
unparalleled example for a man to undertake and go through what you
have done for us, without any interest, without any ulterior object."

"You make me out better than I am," replied Gotzkowsky, smiling at
Herr von Kircheisen's pompous words. "I had an ulterior object. I
wished to gain the love of my fellow-citizens. If I have succeeded, I
am more than rewarded, and I pray you say no more on the subject."

The chief burgomaster shook his head majestically. "You have exercised
toward us the virtue of philanthropy. Allow us to exercise toward
you in return the virtue of gratitude." He took from the hands of the
assistant burgomaster a dark-red _etui_, from which he a wreath of
oak-leaves, worked in silver, which he presented to Gotzkowsky. "John
Gotzkowsky," said he, solemnly, "the Council and citizens of Berlin
request you, through me, to accept this memorial of their love and
gratitude. It is the civic crown of your magnanimity. Receive it from
our hands, and accept also our vow that we will never forget what you
have done for the town of Berlin."

Tears of delight, of heart-