The Fixer Read Free Page A

time to try elsewhere I’ve finally decided. I want to make a living, I want to get acquainted with a bit of the world. I’ve read a few books in recent years and it’s surprising what goes on that none of us knows about. I’m not asking for Tibet but what I saw in St. Petersburg interested me. Whoever thought of white nights before, but it’s a scientific fact; they have them there. When I left the army I thought I would get out of here as soon as possible, but things caught up with me, including your daughter.”
    â€œMy daughter wanted to run away from here the minute you got married but you wouldn’t go.”
    â€œIt’s true,” said Yakov, “it was my fault. I thought it couldn’t get worse so it must get better. I was wrong both ways so now enough is enough. I’m on my way at last.”
    â€œOutside the Pale only wealthy Jews and the professional classes can get residence certificates. The Tsar
doesn’t want poor Jews all over his land, and Stolypin, may his lungs collapse, urges him on. Ptu!” Shmuel spat through two fingers.
    â€œSince I can’t be a professional on account of lack of education I wouldn’t mind being wealthy. As the saying goes, I’d sell my last shirt to be a millionaire. Maybe, by luck, I’ll make my fortune in the outside world.”
    â€œWhat’s in the world,” Shmuel said, “is in the shtetl—people, their trials, worries, circumstances. But here at least God is with us.”
    â€œHe’s with us till the Cossacks come galloping, then he’s elsewhere. He’s in the outhouse, that’s where he is.”
    The peddler grimaced but let the remark pass. “Almost fifty thousand Jews live in Kiev,” he said, “restricted to a few districts, and all in the way of the first blow that falls if a new pogrom should come. And it will fall faster in the larger places than it falls here. When we hear their cries we will rush into the woods. Why should you walk straight into the hands of the Black Hundreds, may they hang by their tongues?”
    â€œThe truth of it is I’m a man full of wants I’ll never satisfy, at least not here. It’s time to get out and take a chance. Change your place change your luck, people say.”
    â€œSince the last year or so, Yakov, you’re a different man. What wants are so important?”
    â€œThose that can’t sleep and keep me awake for company. I’ve told you what wants: a full stomach now and . then. A job that pays rubles, not noodles. Even some education if I can get it, and I don’t mean workmen studying Torah after hours. I’ve had my share of that. What I want to know is what’s going on in the world.”
    â€œThat’s all in the Torah, there’s no end to it. Stay away from the wrong books, Yakov, the impure.”
“There are no wrong books. What’s wrong is the fear of them.”
    Shmuel unstuck his hat and wiped his brow with his handkerchief.
    â€œYakov, if you want to go to foreign parts, Turks or no Turks, why not to Palestine where a Jew can see Jewish trees and mountains, and breathe the Jewish air? If I had half a chance there’s where I’d go.”
    â€œAll I’ve had in this miserable town is a beggarly existence. Now I’ll try Kiev. If I can live there decently that’s what I’ll do. If not, I’ll make sacrifices, save up, and head for Amsterdam for a boat to America. To sum it up, I have little but I have plans.”
    â€œPlans or none you’re looking for trouble.”
    â€œI’ve never had to look,” said the fixer. “Well, Shmuel, good luck to you. The morning’s gone so I’d better go.”
    He climbed up onto the wagon and reached for the reins.
    â€œI’ll ride with you as far as the windmills.” Shmuel got up on the seat on the other side.
    Yakov touched the nag with a birch switch the old man kept