Isra-Isle by Semel Nava; Cohen Jessica;

Author:Semel, Nava; Cohen, Jessica;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mandel Vilar Press
Published: 2016-10-13T16:00:00+00:00

THEY URGED him to report the latest gossip from Tammany Hall, and wanted to know who had helped his election campaigns for the important positions he held. The Jew fell into the trap and could not resist boasting. He told of how he had freed Americans held in slavery by the Bey of the Kingdom of Tunis. He was destined for greatness from his youth, he explained. George Washington himself had been a guest at his parents’ wedding. The chief also noted that he dined twice a month with Governor Clinton, and was his confidant. Was he not the most glorious Jew in America? He was regularly mentioned in newspaper headlines: Mordecai Manuel Noah. He repeated the name twice and opened up the latest newspaper on the table, among the dishes, as evidence.

The guests cheered, and Lady White gave him a few dagger-sharp smiles. Was he in the mind to marry soon and produce a few little Noah children for the world?

It was not yet time, he replied. He had yet to find the right match. He winked at Lady White and rolled up the newspaper.

Then the women were sent away and the men lit their cigars and filled the parlor with smoke as they lounged among the glass and china cabinets. Master Lenox insisted on walking the guest around the room to show him his cherished collection: white-tailed deer horns, the heads of boars, raccoons, and turkeys, and a taxidermied dove and raven. He told Noah how he had hunted the two birds on the day he married my lady. No one will ever forget that ceremony, he said. The bride’s veil billowed up in the gust coming from the great falls, and the groom tied it around her neck so that it would not fly away.

A woman likes to be bound, he explained with a loud chuckle, and recommended to the lauded journalist from New York that he write down this piece of advice and disseminate it.

The Jewish chief grimaced, but I could not read his thoughts. Only moments before, he had found favor with Lady White and Lady Ransom when he professed his support for women’s suffrage. But upon hearing Master Lenox’s sentiments, he remained as quiet as a black bass.

The Jewish chief did not let go of the title deed for even a moment, keeping it buried deep in his tunic, close to his chest. I could have stolen it without him knowing. He asked to retire to his room, and apologized to his guests, explaining that he needed to finish writing his speech for the ceremony. Lady Lenox told me to prepare his fine clothes, and I followed him to the guest room, two steps behind, my head bowed. He handed me a robe and asked me to clean it. I held my breath. This shade of crimson was appropriate only for the elderly Seneca chief Red Jacket. A cascade of silk flowed between my fingers.

Finally the Jew spoke to me: The day will come

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