THE SERBIAN MOTHER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 68, 14 December 1918, Page 5

THE SERBIAN MOTHER

It is the moral of an army which secures victory;'but this moral depends upon many, factors—discipline, the spjrit of sacrifice, endurance,, and temperance, and; above all, upon, a profound lovo of country (states a writer in the "Daily News"). And who is it who first instils these principles into'our soldiers? Their mothers. Their mothers, who brought thom up in the heroio traditions of the past, in the lovo of their native tongue and native land, the pride of tlieir raco and hopo in its future. A peasant woman had three sons. Tho eldest was a schoolmaster and went to tho war as an officer in the reserve. Tho secoiid one went also, but as a common fioldier. The woman's husband was a frontier guard. So only the third eon, who was too young to join the colours, remained at home. Said he to his mother: "My father and my brothers are at the war; let me ro too. I am sure I can do some good." And tho mother replied: "Serljia lias a greater claim upon you than I. Go, and if God wills we shall meet again -in joy." So he went to Belgrade. He would not be incorporated in tho army, but his brother-in-law, a captain in tho reserve, took him as his orderly, thus setting one more man free for the front. t The lad witnessed the battles of Kumanovo and Prilep, where the captain was wounded. Ho was ta&en to hospital in Belgrade, and his youthful orderly accompanied him. Ono day the captain said: "Bogdan, wouldn't you like to go and see your mother? Ilere is n pass for you." The boy was delighted, and a few days later ho surprised his mother ono evening just ns ahe was preparing suppor. She did not hear him como in. "Mother, it is I, Bogdan!" cried tho boy. She started, roje, and, looked at him fixedly. Upon his return the.captain asked his orderly: "What did your mother say when you came homo? Wasn't she pleased to aeo you ?" The boy replied: "Jfolhor was frightened. She would not welcome mo at first, because she thought that I lint! come without leave. She said: 'Bogdan! How is that you arc hero? Is tho war finished?' Hotv is it that your father and your brothers have not como home?" I told her: Tt's all right, mother. Hero is my pass. T haven't done anything wrong.' Then she opened her arms ami embraced. 'God bn praised! , sho said."