The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-30
UNDER FIRE AT OLTENI7 "a.

UNDER FIRE AT OLTENI1ZA.
THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS ROBBED ON EVERY &C.
cAsIoN-sHARP PRACTICES IN RETURN-CAMp
LIFE AND THE DAILY ARTILLERY DUEL.
OLrENIrzA, July l. 1877.
Tho forced quiet OF this little town Is at times op-
pressive. When whole day has passed without u
single shot from either line OF the batteries fownng
At each other along the river bank the conversation
In the little cafe gets dull and spasmodc, and ut last
lckers aud goes out like burned up candle SIMPLY
for want OF something to feed IL II was, lLen with
approach to excitement that we, who had no other
occupation all the forenoon than shifting our chairs
around the corner OF the cafe us tho shadow moved
with the advancing sun, saw crowd of infantry
gathor ut the door Of tho little shop
opposite and heard the noise of dispute
within grow louder and louder Discussions between
the soldiers and the by any means in
frequent, aud if there had been any other diversion
should not have paid the least attention TO the Of
which speak. However, when the Mayor of tho
towna short, thick sot, active little body, who
finds other Geld tor tho exercise OF his authority
except the ever recurring differences between the cit
zen and sodier-went across the street through the
blazing sunlight and mingled his high Keyed voice
with tho chorus thought It time to investigate the
affair myself. TIE situation was too ludicrous. Thoro
stood the sharpeaturcd shopman his darK eyes fairly
aash.ng with rage nourishing large sausage at mild
looking iniantryman, who his side had piece Of
the same kind OF sausage, bu. only about third
long. l thought could hint OF smile under
the soldiers white mustache twinkle In his gray
eyes, but until the Mayor has summoned this Colonel
from his quarters opposite and the shopman paid
the crowd dispersed had idea OF tho cause OF
the dispute being totally unable to seize enough words
Of the jargon Of Russian and Roumanian that was fly
ing about TO make one complete phrase.
BADLY CUT UP.
II turned that the soldier into the shop with
q couple OF comrades TO buy sausage. He MADE his
bargain, put the sausage under his lott and took
out his purse to pay for It. Before he put tho
money down no asked the price again. -Four
francs" says tho shopkecper "Four francs
for this piece or bad sausage" yells
The SOLDIER holding to the aslonished native piece
only about onc.third Of the whole sausage had
moment slowed under his ''rake your id old
sausage, you theving native, and he started over
take his comrades who by that Time half way up
the street. But the native was too quick Tor him and
held him until the crowd gathered and tho affair ter
minated as have described. The trick was shrewd
one but o little 300 thfn' to deceive even Walla-
chan. The two comrades had In accordance with a
provious agreement, taken the opportunity while there
dispute about the price 10 cut oil the longer part
OF the sausage which appeared from under the soldiers
arm behind and made their way TO the camp with
their booty. This mild species OF robbery is not raro
and must sympathize with the soldiers more or
less In their attempts to get with the natives for
in all matters of trade the soldiers invariably get
worstcd Their paper money Is taken for only two
thirds It's real values the moment soldier enters
shop door the prices rise two or three per cent or
% sral-
shopman, who takes advantage of the need of the SOL
der 10 drive sharp bargain. Very few Of open
robbery have como under my notice. and ~ only In.
stance Of skul thicvery that have heard of will well
bear relating.
COSTLY EMBRACE.
An old peasant had just come to town to buy
groceries for the week, and naturally enough walked
down the street with little selfconscousness at the
thought of having purse we'll filled with
Russian roubes, the result of the sale OF his
last load of hay at the camp Before he reached the
shop or haa even had time to take glass of raki in
the little GROCERY he was mot by Cossack who,
without any ceremony, fell upon his neck and kissed
him with cfusion, exclaniug to the astonishcd peas.
ant in broken Roumanian that he looks I'd so much
like his old father away OF tho banks OF the Don
that the impulse ~ embrace him WAS rfesis,iblc 1t
seems that the sentiment. WAS con,agous the peas
ant after looking ut The Cossack Tor moment cried
out that lie called to mind the pride OF the family who
was away with the Eoumanian army at Kalafat and
the Cossack had 10 endure the embrace In his turn
This could not last long oil course and after IN OK.
haus,ve struggle TO express his JOY In language that
was almost entirely unknown to him the CossacK took
his leave, promising see his adopted father in div
or two When the simple old fellow went to pay for
his tca and sugar lie found he had purse He went
Immediately to the Mayor, bu, his would.ba son
could not be found. fson.fa
Since tho news OF the crossing OF Simni,za tho
officers here have been unable conceal thcir d,sap
pontnont at not being able 10 participate In passage
Of tho Danube and venture to say that IL was only
the lack OF material which has prevented them from
turning ono OF tho numerous demonstrations into a
serious attempt to got over here Itis keen aggraya.
ton lie Tor weeks In the lace OF enemy have
no valve for tho pent up ardor anu growing impncnce
except The Interchange OF few bullets aud shells and
/ heartily sympathize with tho officers, who take Il
turn among the batteries daily to have pop at
Turks with rifle, attn ough 1t s kind OF warfare that
cannot be commended, because II has result
SOLDIER REST.
If Russian soldier Is half hour at rest without
tent he immediate sets ABOUT constructing shelter
from what he has at nand The Cossacks tic their
lanccs together, and with great coats for u covering
make asor. Of wigwam, which rs a good protection
agninat sun and rain. An inlantryman with few
sticks ana bundle OF reeds grass VIII make little
hut IN few moments which Is watcrtIght as u
topt. Behind the breastworks the soldiers have
patched up all kinds OF shelters from hole dug under
the ctdIste, III which sturdy soldier Is tran
gully sleeping, OF danger OF bits OF shc stray
bullets to elaborate structures OF marsh grass and
reeds like Indian huts. few sticks bent into quar-