The Wandering Jew (4)

It was a bronze medal, bearing these legends on reverse and obverse: VICTIM of L.C.D.J. Pray for me! ------ PARIS, February the 13th, 1682. IN PARIS Rue St Francois, No. 3, In a century and a half you will be. February the 13th, 1832. ------ PRAY FOR ME!"What does it mean, Dagobert?" resumed Blanche, as she examined the mournful inscriptions.Those who had this token were descendants of a family whom, a hundred and fifty years ago, persecution scattered through the world, in emigration and exile; in changes of religion, fortune and name. For this family -- what grandeur, what reverses, what obscurity, what luster, what penury, what glory! How many crimes sullied, how many virtues honored it! The history of this single family is the history of humanity! Passing through many generations, throbbing in the veins of the poor and the rich, the sovereign and the bandit, the wise and the simple, the coward and the brave, the saint and the atheist, the blood flowed on to the year we have named. Seven representatives summed up the virtue, courage, degradation, splendor, and poverty of the race. Seven: two orphan twin daughters of exiled parents, a dethroned prince, a humble missionary priest, a man of the middle class, a young lady of high name and large fortune, and a working man. Fate scattered them around the world. . . .

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