Stephen Shooster no payment, and they expected little discussion, other than, “Yes, sir.” Most times I did not know where I was going. They preferred to direct me, right here or left there until we reached the destination. Once I followed these directions a few times, I began to know where they wanted to go without further assistance. I can still see them dressed in their uniforms. They wore fine clothing with official-looking badges while I was wearing my Star of David arm- band. When they gave me orders, I did not have to answer. If you stood on the side of the road as we trotted by and looked toward us as we passed, you would see two Nazis with their tight haircuts and flat hats with the black leather circling the brim and a Star of David on the back of the carriage. I was summoned on multiple occasions to drive Kastura and Grunov and, after I dropped them off, sometimes I would wait as instructed, and other times I would re- turn to the ghetto. But at all times, I was a careful observer, and the thing I was most interested in was the marketplace. First, I bought potatoes. I don’t know where I got a little money to make the first purchase, but I traded the little I had for spuds and hid them in the back of the wagon. I became a valuable lifeline for the most valuable thing in the ghetto, food. On my first purchase, the woman was selling a pakiet ziemniaka, a bundle of pota- toes, for 100 Zloty, but I only had 80. So, she took a few out and gave me most of the bag; this made it possible to make the first purchase. On the way back into the ghetto I had to be recognized by the Jewish police. They were in charge of the gate. They let me through without too much trouble. I sold the potatoes for three times what I paid and quickly made a reasonable profit. This I parlayed into other purchases, always fol- lowing the same basic plan, driving the Gestapo and ending up at the market. It took some courage for me to do this. I am not sure what would have happened if I had been searched, but I’m sure it wouldn’t have been good. The following trip I started to get a little bolder. I purchased a chicken and some vodka. Gold would be less valuable than this in the ghetto. With the money I earned, I purchased clothing and boots. Taking care of the horses and equipment, staying warm, and keeping my stomach from being empty was my whole life. All I had to do was to drive the Gestapo wherever they wanted to go. Over time I did not want any more potatoes. Instead, I preferred things that I could hide in smaller packages, like vodka. Soon, Sol learned about my dealings. He waited by the gate for me to return. When I crossed into the ghetto, and past the Jewish police, Sol stopped me and said, “You’re not going to sell this.” He didn’t even know what I had. He continued, “I need it for my sister and brother.” I owed Sol my life and
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