Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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THE SPECTATOR 15 The following day Esther began her work. She toiled from sunrise until dark among the vines and, as she lay down to sleep, she was awakened by a voice: Awake, you lazy slave. Do you not know that it is time for evening worship? Come, before you reported to the judges. ' It was Ashca who spoke so rudely. Esther followed with hurried footsteps. Each day Esther labored hard and at even- ing attended the services. Each day Ashca strove in some way to insult her. At the end of a month she was sent to the upper vineyard. There grew the choicest grapes and she felt happy to think that she could tend them there. The upper vineyard was situated on a cliff overhanging the gardens and one could not be reached from below without ascending the steps in the wall. Esther worked with a will and was just thinking how happy life was when suddenly she was startled by a sound from behind. She turn-ed quickly and beheld Ashca staring at her arrogantly. What are you doing here ? demanded Ashca. I thought you were in the lower vineyards. I was assigned here today, answered Esther. Go at once to the other fields and do not return again. Go, I say, without question, Ashca ordered. I was sent by Master Kemuelf' Haughty girl! You forget that you are only a slave. What right have you to dispute my word ? Esther did not answer, but stood trembling as Ashca, turning, went down the steps to the gardens. After she had gone Esther straightened like a goddess. She was not the humble slave. She stamped her foot and cried, Why can't I be as other girls and have the same privi- leges ? In her anger she kicked violently at a large, jagged rock beside the path and it went hurling down over the cliff. A shriek pierced the air which froze the blood in Esther's veins. With frightened heart and nervous tread she descended

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14 THE SPECTATOR stood with bowed head and flushed cheeks. It was humiliat- ing to her to be placed before the people as an object of scorn. just when the auctioneer was becoming quite earnest in his praises, desirous of receiving a larger sum, a gentleman halted before the market. Besides his own family he had with him a large retinue of slaves. I-Ie glanced at the girl standing so shame-facedly before the people, and as he did so she looked up appealingly, her large brown eyes filled with unhappy tears. The man seemed pleased with the picture he saw. For Esther was of the brunette type and very much fairer of face than the people of that district. Her dark, heavy locks, drawn back from her face, hung in two thick braids down her back. Of an olive tinge was her complexion, with just a tinge of pink in the cheeks. She was very beautiful in her way, and the fact that she wore poor clothing rather enhanced her at- tractiveness. 'fI'll take her for fifty pieces of silver, spoke the gentle- man. The old jew agreed without delay. Esther was placed upon a mule and started on her journey to her new home. A After hours of riding the caravan arrived at a large estate. Here her master sent for her. As she stood waiting without the door she heard voices. But, father, you will never allow her, a slave, to dwell under this roof, will you? Shall I, your daughter, with honor- able heritage, associate with her, a slave-with no parentage at all? Ihope not. Oh! father, please I Listen, daughter Ashca. I have purchased her because she is so young and pitiful. I cannot turn her away. And see she, too, looks for the arrival of the Messiah. Docs not our great Moses decree us to protect and care for such? Now, you understand. After a silence Ashca replied: I understand, but you can at least yield this point. Make her work in the vineyard. Ashca left the room as Esther entered. The interview was not long. Esther was assigned duties in the vineyards. She was told that her master was Merchant Kemuel, the wine maker, renowned throughout Palestine.

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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 was there 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 Hee thither that killeth any man unawares ? 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. Suddenly she 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.