Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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THE SPECTATOR 17 A Glanahian Smrritire VVilbert Hoffman, '20 The golden sun was just sinking in the west and casting a ray of brilliant colors over the Saskatchewan wheat lields. The wheat stalks swayed in the slight breeze like a sea. On the doorstep of a cabin sat John Steele, pipe in hand, with a contented look on his face. As he smoked he could hear the clatter of dishes and a cheery song within the cabin. Steele had a right to be happy. It was his first successful year in the wheat lands and if everything went right he would possess a bumper crop. This would be profitable in two ways. First, he could buy his Wife some of the luxuries she deserved, and second, his large crop would help to feed England in her attempt to stop the Hun. 1: :sf ak ik wk ak :nf va wr if It was noon the next day. John Steele had just arrived at the cabin from his daily grind in the fields when Roger Burke, government agricultural expert No. 26, rode up to the door. 4'Glad to see you, Burke, said Steel. Come in and eat with us. I accept the invitation, replied Burke, as he dismounted. He entered the cabin and took a chair. Florence will be here presently, said Steele. She is picking flowers for the table. Your crop looks good, commented Burke. 'All the others I have seen are just the same. That wheat should put some kink in old Hindy's line. Yes, and Florence will be happy, replied the farmer. just then Steele's wife entered. She carried some little yellow ilowers in her arms, which caused Burke to gaze at her in astonishment. Tho-those flowers, said Burke. Where did you get them F 1..- . , .

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16 THE SPECTATOR the stairs into the garden below. Here, amid the bushes, lay Ashca, a great gash in her temple from which the blood gushed. Esther tried to arouse her, but discovered that the heart which had been so cold towards her had ceased to beat. Then she thought of herself. It was she who had kicked the stone down over the cliff. Merchant Kemuel would accuse her of murder and the avenger of blood would take her life in the most horrible way possible. What should she do? Where wasthere safety? She heard other slaves returning from the fields. She hid from their sight, creeping stealthily along, getting farther away every moment. At last she reached the road. Her only hope was to elude her pursuers. But where could she be safe? Suddenly she thought of the latest decree of Moses. He had granted to the Levites forty-eight cities. Six of these were cities of refuge, and the nearest of all was Shechem. There she would be safe, for had he not said that They shall be cities of refuge for you ...... that the slayer may flee thither that killeth any man unawares P All day and most of the night she traveled. She feared to rest lest she might be overtaken. She had had nothing to eat and even water was scarce. Her feet were bleeding and her legs seemed unable to move. Schechem seemed afar off. Suddenlyshe heard behind her the sound of hoofs. She was pursued! She ran on and saw, when rounding a curve, the promised city before her. The horsemen had seen her and were coming faster and faster. Oh, why could she not reach the gate-it seemed so near. The horses were right beside her -now, their hot breath fanned her face, then she stumbled and fell. Merchant Kemuel dismounted and, striding to the girl, raised her up. Esther had fallen just outside Shechem, but Esther's soul had reached the real City of Refuge.

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18 THE SPECTATOR Among the wheat, answered the woman. Aren't they pretty F Burke was speechless. Steel moved closer to examine the flowers. The wonder shone in his eyes. It can't bef' he said. He received no answer. In a moment Burke broke the silence. Steele, he said softly, you know what those flowers mean. I do, answered the farmer, with a faint trace of a sad smile. - ln two days Burke had burned Steele's wheat crop to the ground. Nothing was left except the charred stalks. Before leaving the expert had a talk with Steele. It is all right, he said. The pest did not spread to the other fields. We checked it just in time. Your crop is gone but the others are saved for England. HI think I can manage to get through the winter, said the farmer. But Florence will have to wait another year for her things. I will wait fifty years if it will help England, said the woman, appearing in the doorway. She carried two glasses and a jug of wine. Here,,' she said, drink to England and think no more of me. Next year we will begin all over. Burke took a glass. To England, he said. Stele was thinking. He had lost his whole year's work. He could not buy his wife what she should have. Then he thought of England. He brought the glass closer to his lips. To England, he repeated. .sim