Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-09-09
BROTHERS
BY TALMI.


BY LAZAR TALMI.
Years ago Aaron Simkhovich made
his departure from home leaving his
mother under the care of his only
brother, David. He dearly loved both
his mother n brother. but as he saw
no future for himself in Russia, he was
Obliged to seek opportunity in another
country. He went to Austria, as it was
nearest his home. and in course of time
ne succeeded in establishing himself
firmly in the new land. which he came
to REGARD as his native country. Dur
ing these years he kept up his inter-
course with his old home. His brother
also succeeded in setting up a home in
which he lived with his aged mother.
And it seemed that nothing in the
world would destroy the happiness of
families which had preserved the ten
derest affection for each other. al
though separated-until the war broke
out and the two brothers were torn
away from their homes to join the
armies of their respective countries.
Inere was a small stream which
marked the boundary between the two
countries. Austria and Russia. Still
were flowing the clear waters of this
little stream purling among the pebbles
of its bed. as though it We're telling of
innumerable sufferings OF people it
had Witnessed crossing its waters on
iSo g. slSI OSS
the broad ocean. Today this small
stream will witness a tragedy far
greater than all those it has ever seen.
On both shores troops of the two hos
tile countries are standing in battle
array, Il soon the innocent stream
will become red with the blood of thou
sands OF slain soldiers.
The day is over. The battle is fin
ished. though no result has been at
tanned. Both armies nave retreated to
repose before giving battle again. And
on the shores are left piles of dead and
wounded.
The night falls heavy upon the earth,
as though 1t would conceal beneath it's
darkness the horrors of the previous
day. The waves of the stream are
moving on carrying away the blood
with which 1T is ainted.
David. who is among the wounded
on the Russian side. is awakening from
the unconsciousness into which he had
fallen. He looks around him with a
senseless air. A long distance on both
dead. dead. He tries to rise. but a
sharp pain in his leg hinders him from
doing this. His senses come back to
him and he only now sees what has
taken place. The pain reminds him of
his own condition. He feels a terrible
the clear stream which sparkled under
the rays Of the u and seems to in
vite him with a promise Of relief.
Creeping over to. the stream he begins
to drtng eagerly.
Suddenly he p.erceives on the oppos-
lite shore a head which looks familiar.
Without being able to think Of any
think definite, he rushes across the
stream. kneeling before the body he
raised 1t carefully and looked into the
dead face. His eyes became wide with
terror. Aaron! My brother!"
Enr a So4np1onf ho NJ, a 4, oil c1nosA
n he fell upon the body and burst
out weeping. his hot tears wetting the
dead face of his brother. Thus he lay
Tor some time and when he rose his
face was deadly pale and the light Of
reason had gone from his eyes. He sat
down beside the dead body and MUIR
INJURED to himself. as though he was
continuing some interrupted CONVEX
1atiOn:
And 4 will come home and my
mother win ask me: Hast thor seen
thy brother?' What shall ! reply then
70 her? Ny brother Is dead. And who
has slain him? Was not the bullet
which struck him dead from my rife?
have. like Cain. slain my own
brother and. like Cain. I shah wander
70 lay my wearied head. And I shall
bear on my conscience h death Of my
he burst into tears again. Reason
seemed to be returning to him. He
rose, his eyes burning wildly. and his
cnrse upon the heads Of all those who
Se4ld brothers against brothers.
And ne AGAIN knelt beside his broth
-. 8 8 HIS head into his hands and
my brother. ! shall not i've after
soairgmofhcrathe message Of thy death
SDlaie mr. mn ~ bay0net he struck Il