“Joseph, I love you as though you were my son. Listen well to what I am
about to say. If by marrying my daughter you think you will obtain her
fortune, tell me if this be the case; be candid and I will satisfy you
and redeem my pledge by giving you her dowry. Nay, I will double the
amount if you agree not to wed my child. If this should not satisfy
you, name the sum of money you desire, and if I possess it, it shall be
yours. I will gladly give it with a good will, only do not risk your
precious life by running into danger. You have been a source of real
comfort and happiness to us all ever since you set foot in our house.
Do not, I beseech you, plunge us all into unutterable misery by risking
your life. To marry Hannah is to die.”
“Dear uncle!” Joseph cried, “do you really think for one moment that I
wish to marry Hannah for the sake of money. Do not even think that I
would take a penny piece if I am not allowed to marry her. I do not
think of money or worldly things now, for I know that love is the best
of all treasures. In Hannah have I found my ideal; she alone of all
women on earth will be mine, even as I alone of all men will be hers,
now and always. Providence is not against us, for I feel that we are
destined to make one another happy. Moreover, in our happiness you and
dear aunt will find your true peace and joy.”
Seeing the folly of prolonging the discussion, David consented to carry
out his promise, and said that he would at once tell the news to Hannah
and her mother. No sooner had he disclosed the proposal to his daughter
than she began to weep and to pray to God for His support and counsel.
Joyfully would she have suffered death sooner than see any harm befall
Joseph, whom she loved with all her heart. She knew how noble was his
character, and she realized that nothing would induce him to change his
mind. She felt that she was helpless and that there was nothing to be
done except to put her life and that of her beloved Joseph in the hands
of God.
Later in the day Joseph came to her and placed the engagement ring on
her finger, meanwhile saying,—
“With this ring art thou betrothed unto me according to the Law of
Moses and of Israel.”
They sealed their engagement by a sweet kiss, exchanging promises of
love and constancy. In spite of her happiness, tears welled up in her
eyes, for she knew that their great joy and love were in the balance.
Joseph tried to console her by telling her that all would be well.
The news of their engagement soon spread in the town where they lived,
and the friends of Hannah’s parents came to wish the couple joy and
good luck; thinking that their congratulations would gladden the hearts
of Hannah and of her parents. Joseph’s usual good humour was
intensified by the happy event. He sought out the poor, to whom he gave
gifts of money, well remembering the poverty in which he had lived till
he came to his uncle.
A few weeks later the ceremony of marriage was fixed to be celebrated.
Once again Hannah put on her bridal attire, thinking the while of the
terrible misfortunes she had experienced. At last the hour came when
she stood with Joseph at her side beneath the wedding canopy.
Just as the marriage service was about to begin, an old man, unknown to
all the assembled guests, approached Joseph and asked him to give him a
moment’s attention, because he had to tell him something of vital
importance. Joseph immediately turned aside with the stranger and asked
him if he required any help. The stranger replied,—
“I come to help you, for I know that you have a good and kind heart. I
ask you to remember that wealth will not avail in the hour of your
need, charity alone will save you and deliver you from death. Be
hospitable this day and invite to your wedding feast the poor who will
bless you for your kindness. This is all I have to say, and now let me
go, for I wish you well.”
The stranger was Elijah the prophet, the friend and comforter of all in
trouble and distress.
The marriage service began, and at its conclusion the guests took their
places at the banquet. At the head of the table sat the bridegroom, and
at his side was his beautiful bride. The guests began to eat and to
drink, when all of a sudden there was seen at the door of the room a
beggar in rags and tatters, his skin yellow and unwashed, his hair
unkempt and his stature bent. His eyes were flaming like fire, and at
his presence profound silence obtained. Not a sound was heard within
the room; all was hushed in strange suspense, till Joseph in a loud and
fearless voice cried,—
“Come hither, good friend; you are most welcome at this, my marriage
feast. At my side shall you sit, for here all are most heartily
welcome, rich and poor alike.”
Joseph told the servants to go to the door of the house and to invite
all the poor who passed by to join his guests.
The beggar went to the seat next to Joseph’s and sat down. Joseph
waited on his unknown guest and gave him of the best. When the banquet
was over the bride arose and retired to her apartment. Joseph arose
likewise and was about to follow her when the beggar placed his hand on
Joseph’s shoulder and said in a whisper—
“I must have just one word with you in private, please. I cannot stay
here much longer, but I have to tell you why I am with you to-day.”
Joseph led him to an empty room and requested him to be seated. After a
moment or two had elapsed the stranger began to speak as follows:—
“My friend, I am truly sorry for your own and also for your dear wife’s
sake, but I have come here on a very sad errand. I am sent to you
against my will. It is God who has sent me here to take you to Him.
Prepare now to leave the world and all its joys.”
Joseph looked at his guest without fear, and in a very calm voice he
said,—
“If this be God’s will, so be it done in love and obedience.
Nevertheless, I do beseech you grant me a respite—just one year in
happiness with my wife, and then I promise to go with you.”
“No, my good friend, it cannot be,” cried the angel of death, who was
in the beggar’s guise. “Not even a month,” said the angel, “not even
the seven days of rejoicing appointed to be kept by bride and
bridegroom, not even one day’s delay, but this very day must you die
even as the former three husbands of your beloved wife.”