The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-03-25
I3E TRAITORS MOTHER---By Maxim Gorky
Many Are the Tales That May Be
Told About Mothers, and Here Is One
Of the Most Appealing to Be Found
in the Literature of ANY Nation.

came across another woman: she kneeling
The side OF a corpse, and praying with face n
hited TO the stars; on the wall above her heaC
'entincls were talking quietly; their guns cateret
as they knocked against the projecting stones OF
the walls.
The traitor, mother inquired:
Your hu,band7'
"No'
"Rrother?"
Son. My husband was killed thirteen days ago
this one today
And rising the mother of the dead man sale
humbly:
The Madop"a sees everything she knows every
piled: ~ ''' ''"'' re
Now that he ha, fallen with honor fighting 70,
ms iathcrand, can say that he sometimes caused
me anxiety: He was reckless fond of pleasure and
feared Tor that reason ne might bctrav the TOWN
as Narianna IS son has done, the enemy of God and
men. tu" loader of foes; accurSed be he and ac
cursed be the womb that bore him"
covering her face Mariana hurried away II,
next day she went 10 the defenders of the town anc
Either kill me because my son has become vour
enemy, or open the gate for me- that may 20 to
They replied:
You are citizen, and the town should be dea,
j. ours "
"I ann his mother: love him and deem it to be
my fault that Dc is what BIZ, l~'
Then they consulted together as to what should
be done and came 10 this decision:
We cannot. I'm honor Kill Won for yorr SON . 60,
we know YOU could not have suggested this terrible
sun TO HIM: and We can guess how you must be Suf
ierug. You are not wanted by the town even as
hostage your son does not trouble himself about
you: We think he has forgotten YOU the fep6-
and therein lies your punishment if Won think Won
have deserved IL! To Us it more terrible than
deathl' ''
Yes. she said. ut is moro terrible,
They opened the gate for her and let her ont o.
thr wall a. she mad. ncr way this native soil
soddcn now with blood shed by her son Sbs
walked slowly. dragging her feet painfully trouob
thr mire, bowling her head before the corIS.s of tho
defenders Of the town and rcpuguautlv spurrino
inc pieces OF broken weapons that Law I'm her patb-
i"' hothers nate the instrument, of destruction be.
heving only in that which preserves life
NU' walked carefully. as though she carried IN
der her cloak bowl full of some LIQUID which She
wa, afraid of splitting. And as she went on n.
her figure grew smaller and smaller IL seemed 70
those who watched her from the wall that tbei
iorn'. oppression and hopclcSsnc>S were disappear
They saw her stop when she had covered half ;h,
distance, and. throwing back her hood. gaze lone
ai the town. Beyond, ia the cucmy's camp they
had also noticed her advancing alone throli0b tn
deserted hcdS; figures, as black herself eau
tI"uS.y approached her. They went zap to her asked
h'r Who She was and whittier ~hn was going
YOUR leader is my son. she said and none Of In,
soldiers doubted her words. They walked hv hey
Sli' speaking n terms OF praise of the bravery and
ri'NnrHcSS OF their leader. She listened 10 tbatp
'rr bead raised proudly In the air and showing moi
,H, least surprise That just how her son should
And now she stands before the man ,rto,, cha
Knew nm" months before Boz, birth before him whom
She mad never pat ont of her heart And hc stands
before nor 100 silk and velvet. and wearing a sword
o'hdmr ht'd with precious stones. Iu everything
mo and Secmly. exactly as she had seen him MANY
a time In hor drcams-rich. famous and beloved
Mother! Boo said. kissing her hands Yor
com. 80 mo ~ means that Won have understood me
ald 70 morrow ] viii capture this accur-cd town..
In which you were born. She reminded him
lhi"Ni'aifd 10y bis exploits, maddnued hy tho
a'-r" for still greater glory ho spoke 20 her witt
'N. Iu-prnt pride Of youth