Enemy of the Tzar: A Murderess in One Country, A Tycoon in Another. Lester S. Taube

      Hanna Barlak did not have the least suspicion that meeting Hershel Block would one day change the course of her life forever. Nor could she have believed that those she loved would be tormented and tortured, and even die because of him. Not on this summer afternoon in 1904, as she swung along with her long legged stride through the dirt streets of her village.

      She stopped at Feldman’s to buy the Sabbath supper. Two small herring would have to do. It was barely enough for a family of six, but that took all the money she had. Even though Mrs. Merkys, owner of the only dressmaking shop in the area, had seen an unusual ability when she was but ten years old, and after much training, now considered her to be the best worker she ever had and paid her more than her other two seamstresses. And being a Jew in Gremai, a minuscule village in Russian-annexed Lithuania, was bad enough, but having a crippled father, a mother that was suffering from an unknown ailment, and three young siblings, was certainly not finding favor with the Lord.

      “You’ve got a young man at home,” said Mr. Feldman gaily, placing the fish in the basket she carried. His shop sold thread, lamp oil, pots, pans, tobacco, along with herring and chickens.

      Hanna looked at him with surprise. Nobody came to Gremai. The sixty or so houses were probably not even listed on a map. “How do you know?”

      “Your mother sent Gitel. She said you were to get a plump chicken.”

      She shook her head in exasperation. There were less than fifteen kopeks in her pocket.

      Mr. Feldman read her expression with understanding. “It’s all right, Hanna. You can pay later.” In the eighteen years since she was born, he knew she would rather do without a meal than owe money.

      Silently, she took the packages and handed over the fifteen kopeks towards the bill. She could only nod her thanks and goodbye as she left. There were no words to be spoken.