Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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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.

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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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THE SPECTATOR 17 A Glanuhian Qarriiire Wilbert Hoffman, '20 The golden sun was just sinking in the west and casting a ray of brilliant colors over the Saskatchewan wheat fields. 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. wk 4: :sf wk -of 1: :cf rf Ik as It was noon the next day. John Steele had just arrived at theicabin from his daily grind in the fields when Roger Burke, government agricultural expert No. 26, rode up to the door. 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 flowers in her arms, which caused 'Burke to gaze at her in astonishment. Tho-those flowers, said Burke. Where did you get them ?