The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1920-12-08
The Keeper Of the Light
A CHANUKKAH STORY.
BY JOSEPH FISHERMAN.

In the corner Of the vast and mag
nificent Temple Of God in the city Of
Jerusalem, completely hidden from
view by the frightening shadows,
crouched the trembling little Abner.
For the third time he had risked his
LIE by stealing into this beautiful edi'
flee, erected and dedicated by his fore
fathers to the worship of the Lord
aow defiled and descrated by the idol
atrous Syrians. For the third time
he was forced to stand by and see the
denominations of the heather commit
ted in this hottest of places.
At times he was seized with great
rage. His heart would beat wildly,
his fists would clench, while the blood
rushed to his face. Oh! how he long
to pounce upon those cruel Syrians and
drive them headlong from the TEN
pie! But he always checked him
self by recalling that he was, after
ALI. a mere lad of thirteen. unarmed
and alone. What could he do against
the stalwart soldiers, strong and nu-
nervous, and armed to the teeth?
But there was one thing that All.
rer could not endure. Day after day
the Syrians were burning large guam
titles of oil in performing their idola-
trous rites: and the oil was not their
own, but taken from the large store
of jugs which had been collected by
the Jewish priests and which bore tho
seal of the High Priest. So literally
were the Greeks helping themselves
from this store, that now there were
, but few jugs left.
-"Knaves!" exclaimed Abner to him.
self. "Knaves and towards, how dare
you seize the sacred oil with your foul,
biood.stai:,ed hands?"
And again he clenched his fists uh.
til his nails cut into the flesh Of his
palms. Suddenly he was filled with II
great resolve: He would rescue the
remaining TASKS of oil. He would
hide them until the time would come
when the Lord would lead the Jews
back in triumph to His holy Temple.
Then lie began more thOrO search /;
and as his eyes became accustomed
to the dim light Of the stOrecinml'er
lie was finally rewarded by finding u
single little jug, standing no,iestly In
a corner. but bearing the authentic
seal of the High-Pricst. Abncr could
hardly suppress cry of Joy. lie
Rugged the little vessel; he pressed 1t
to his bosom and danced with slcc.
I'll save you," he exclaimed OK
ultingly. mo heather hand shall de-
I'll. you. You shall not burn To light
up pagan altars-tO WASTE your holy
Warmth on cold marble limoges OF
Greek idols!" -
Cautiously H. now rctrarcd MS
steps and proceeded to the Temple
gate, concealing tie jug under the
folds of his mantle. He wnlic'l with
stcalthy tread, for fear that from some
dark recess n G.eel; might spring forth
aud rob him c: his precious burden.
Every distant rnise alarmed him nihi
even the sound of his own footsteps,
soft as they were. male his heart
flutter. When he finally reached the
uulcr gate. he fnwnrlly uttered thanks
70 The God of his fathers and hchvtu
A s,rtIe sigh of rali,
IL.
A cool. refreshing breeze and myr
lads of twinkling stars greeted Abher
rs he emerged iutO the open. lie
turned his steps northward, intending
10 hasten to the ruins of once proud
mansion which he called home. So
cuger was he to deposit the jug of oil
in a place of safety. that his pace UNI
consciously quickened, until his walk
changed into run. But his haste
almost proved his undoing. for he At.
tractcd the attention of two Greek
soldiers who were patrolling the Tein-
pie precincts.
HALT, there. young ccit!' cried one
of them sharply, bringing Abner to n
sudden stop.
"Whithcr are you running 80 WIFI
Ivy" demanded the other.
"To INV sick mothers bedside" re.
piled Abner. reddening to the roots OF
his hair at the lie.
And what are you carrying III your
bosom? stolen goods, 1 suppose
sneered the first.
Il am but taking some ointment to
my mother. whereby her malady may
Inc cured" stammcred forth the fright.
ened lad.
He might have Jared Ill at the hnhas
Of the Greeks but for the fact that
they were in rather good humor'
which so often marks the early stages