Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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The Spectator 33 After bidding each other goodbye, Ruth and the Quakers parted. Ruth was very glad that she had met the Quakers, even in such...an odd way. ' A Ruth went to see Miriam that evening, and many other evenings. Roger insisted always on escorting her home, al- though Ruth assured him that it was unnecessary. Captain VVinters, Ruth's father, looked with dislike on these frequent visits, for he hated all Quakers. He finally forbade the visits altogether, and Ruth saw her new friends only when she met them on the street. Suddenly these meetings stopped, and Ruth saw no more of Miriam. She became very worried about her friend, and she finally decided to break her father's command. ' One evening, when her father was away, Ruth hurried to Miriam's house.' There she found that Miriam was very ill. After the first visit she often went to see her sick friend, and from these visits Roger always accompanied her home. On her last visit she learned that Miriam's and Roger's families were going to the new country, America, with William Penn. She bid her friend goodbye, and Roger, when he took her home, lingered longer than usual. As they stood talking Ruth said: I shall miss you so, Roger. You and Miriam were my first friends here, you know. Roger turned suddenly and said: Will thee really miss me, Ruth? WOH,t thee come to America with me, as my wife ? just then Ruth heard her father's step. Oh, go, she cried. My father is coming. Not until thee promises, Ruth, Roger replied. Oh, I can't, I can't, Ruth said. My father. Captain Winters stepped up to Ruth. Where have you been? he asked sharply. And whom, may I ask, is this? turning to Roger. I I went to see Miriam, Ruth said, straightforwardly. This is Roger, her cousin. I Whom Ruth is going to marry, added Roger. Is thee not ? Ruth merely nodded. Captain Winters laughed harshly. I think that I will say something to that, he said. Ruth, go into the house.

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22 The Spectato-r lecture. Perhaps Uncle Billy thought he had already received some punishment, though not a word of Billy's mishap did Uncle Billy hear. Whither Thou Goest By Helen Eldridge ,I2 T was a beautiful spring day in 1762. The trees were bud- dingg the grass was growing, and there was that in- describable odor in the air which tells of spring. Ruth VVinters thought that she had never seen a more beautiful day. As Ruth walked along, she glanced curiously at the quiet dress of the two Quakers in front of her. It seemed strange that these people, who had such good, kind faces, could be wicked heretics, as her father had taught her to believe. Absorbed in her thoughts, she did not notice that a crowd was collecting, until she was roused from her reverie by hearing a voice'cry, Down with the Quakers ! The cry was taken up and repeated by the mob, which be- gan to press in upon the Quakers and Ruth, whom they had mistaken for a Quaker alseo. Then one of the Quakers turned to Ruth and said: I am sorry that thee is annoyed on our ac- count. Ruth turned and saw a sweet-faced Quaker girl of about her own age. The girl continued: HI am Miriam Sharp- less, andf' turning to the young man, this is my cousin, Roger Sharpless. VVe were coming from Meeting ,when the crowd surrounded us. Thee is not afraid, I hope P Ruth laughed and said: I am afraid I was, but the crowd is dispersing now. I am Ruth Winters. The crowd, seeing that the Quakers could not be made angry by their taunts and jeers, had dispersedg and Ruth and the Quakers were standing alone. I must hurry home now, Ruth -continued. My father will think that Iam lost. We just came to London, and I have not yet become acquainted with the town. We should be pleased to have thee come and see us, said Miriam, if thee likes. I shall be delighted, replied Ruth. I do not know any- one yet, and I do get dreadfully lonesome.

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24V The Spectator As Ruth walked up the path to the house, Captain Winters turned and said: My dear sir, I warn you not to trespass on my grounds again. He turned then and followed Ruth into the house, and Rogers walked sadly home. The next day, as Roger was walking past Ruth's homie, a servant hurried up to him and said: Miss Ruth said you should come in. She wants to see you. As Roger walked up the path, Ruth hurried to meet him. Roger, she said, I want to go to America with you. Father thinks that the servants can prevent my running off, but jane, here she nodded to the servant, 'left me out. Come at about eleven o'clock, and I will be ready. Thee can stay tonight with Miriam, and tomorrow, be- fore the ship sails, we can get married, added Roger. They parted then, Ruth to get ready for the journey, and Roger to tell Miriam about his plans, and bid her prepare for a guest. Alt the appointed time, Ruth crept softly down the stairs. Jane was waiting for hair. She quietly unlocked the door and Ruth, after kissing Jane goodbye, went out. Roger was waiting for her. He hurried up to her and said softly: Is thee ready ?,' Ruth nodded. Then Roger said to her, gravely: Ruth, dear, it is not too late for thee to return if thee wishes. Thee is giving up thy country, religion and father. Think well before thee chooses, Ruth. Ruth looked up, and sweetly said, as the other Ruth had said: Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from follow- ing after theeg for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.