The Denver Jewish news., 1925-01-01
The ReaWakening
Continuation
CHAPTER 4
By VI. NJ. DOLITZKH
From Ylddish, translated by i. H. Boutchcr


a dclicntc little woman, who had been
In failing health for some time. Typi-
cally Jewish, her features still retain
cd traces Of maidenly beauty Of that
time when Gittcl used to be the pride
Of little village a short distance
from Odessa. But now there were
long deep burrows there betokening
the trial and struggles and the grief
that were the common lot Of the wife
Of poor Rabbi.
When the officer had broken the news
Of Joseph's death TO her husband she
was in her bedroom, just finishing the
prayer of Selma. previous to retiring.
"For thy salvation. o Lord, have I
waited. o Lord, for thy salvation" she
was saying. AS she repeated these
words of stricken soul the picture
Of her Joseph flashed across her
thoughts. Silently she buried her
head in the pillow, mhecding the tears
that giShcd forth.
Joseph was the only child that still
lived for her. Baruch. her first born,
she could know no more. In Moscow
he had sold his birthright for mess
of pottagc. There was a void In her
heart that he had left. rs rcSolutcly
Shg put him away from her memory,
Cod" she prayed, keep and pro
tcct Joseph. He is all that we have.
He has ever been vigilant in thy law,
and he is Thy servant"
She heard sounds issuing from the
room adjoining sounds that were sus-
piciuusly like stillcd moan from her
husband. She opened her door. and
going across the hall walked into the
library.
The same visitors wcre there that
had called on her husband shortly he
fore. but as she looked about she
.cnscd a subtle change. As she en-
tered their voices were hushcd. Then
she saw that her husband had rcmoy-
cd lis shoes. and that there was a
Q
drCp rent in his lapel of his long coat.
"IIeavcn help me. What has hap
pcncd," cried Gittcl. running 10 her
husband in alarm.
Nothing, nothing" the unhappy
father stammcrcd.
I'VE have already sat in mourning
for Baruch our eldest Why do You
sit in mourning now with your coat
torn? For who:"
For bin. For him"
For Baruch? Baruch has long since
died for us. Tell me, does Joseph
live?"
BE calm, Gittle." said the Rabbi
I with forced courage, rising mp and
taking her by the hand. Il just hap,
pencd TO think of our Baruch and my
thoughts so overcome me that had to
sit Shivah again for him" He tremb.
led ms he spoke
"Yes, that's true" chimed in the
d friends
Gittlc became little calmcr. 80
what misfortuncs what terrible suffer
ing we must bear ON account of both
Of our children. Baruch lost to us
Joseph God knows where. Have you
heard nothing from Joseph:
Nothing, nothing
She glanced M at the wall There
over Joseph's picture was hung black
shrOud. 4 trcmor ran over her. MY
God just an hour ago his picture hung
here uncovered and | could see hi,
boyish facc as it smiled at me from
thc wall Now what have YOU done
Ny boy is killed and you try to eker
! it from me-" She wrunG her hands ii
( agony. He is dead, he is dead she
burst into a frcnzied outcry.
But Gittel though weak in body was
strong in spirit Her cries grew quiet
cr Those gathered in the little room
eazcd at her ms if stunned. Only the
Rabbi tried 10 calm her. Tell me,
She sohbed turning to one of those pres
cnt and putting her hand on his shoul
der, isn't it so? O, I know it is Yor
needn't tell mo"
He took her hand and patted i
F. ccutly. "you are not the first mother
who has received sad news from IN,
battlefield You are n woman Of cour
age We have received good from the
Lord. shall we not receive Evil"
Woe. woe is me | felt all day that
something would happen 10 my Joseph
Al day it seemed as if something wa.
tearing itself away from me. Oh
how can we bear IT, how can we beal
it. our only SON" she cried, throwin.
her arms about her husbands neck
"Our only son. our only son" she kept
ycbbirg, subblug
He tried to comfort her He whis