Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-25
IN A POLISH VILLAGE.

We we're travelling through Poland in
great haste the pressure of urgent business
was hurrying us; and, moreover, that almost
fiat, marshy, and unhealthy country, which
lies between Minsk and the Gulf Of Bothnia,
offers no destinations to delay the traveller.
Villages and hamlets followed each other
along the interminable road, that we're almost
similar in aspect, and differed only In the
quantity of their houses and cabins, and in
the number and importance Of their church
es. We confess, TO our great shame, that the
sight of the post stations alone gave us Joy,
in which the picturesque side Of things had
no part. But it is only necessary that we
should be in a hurry, for thousand disa-
greeable accidents TO entangle themselves in
TO each other. II we thought over 1t much,
il would be realized that such accidents al
ways happen, even when we take our own
time and travel at our case. By the greatest
good luck we had made quite q long stage
in our journey without any impediment.
II feel that some catastrophe Is going to
happen TO us, said laughingly TO my COM
panion.
had scarcely finished my sentence when
the position, turning half round on his seat,
pointed out to u.s. with the end Of his whip,
the small hamlet We were approaching.
at is on fire" he said phlegmatically.
A rose-colored light was seen in the lower
part of the sky, whose delicate blue-that
forget me-not blue which is peculiar 10 north
ern countries was darkened by the falling
night The somewhat irregular outline of
the hamlet was thrown out against the fire,
from which escaped great vhirlwinds Of
smoke, and the tin cupols of the Russian
church reflected the flames like q dim mir
ror.
"What is the name of that hamlet ?" ask
| ed the position, who had Just given the hors-
es q hard cut with his whip.
"Roudnia," said he. 1T Is the town of
Roudnia."
To all Russian and Polish peasants three
houses make town, provided they are group
ed around q church. Now, Roudnia possess
ed two churches one of which was Catho-
lie.
The horses, which were pushed ahead Wig.
orously, gained the large pole, painted in
| white, red, and black oolors, which at that
| time marked the boundaries of all towns; and
| funotionary in a greasy uniform came to re-
ceive the obligatory toll-money. He cried
out something that was unintelligible,
and the pole which was placed across the
road rose obliquely towards the sky. This
| kind of toll gate which is very primitive still
exists on many state roads, although the Rus
sian government has bought up the toll-gates
/ which encumbered its great highways. Our
position hurried on his horses, who asked
nothing better than TO reach their STABLE and
we passed at galloping speed through two or
| three very dirty and abominably paved streets.
tumultuous crowd was Fastening towards
the place where the fire was burning, aud we
nearly ran over half dozen Jews who vert
running, holding up their long coats and ut
tering ordinations of distress.
1T is Jews house that is on fire, saiG
our position, without eeasing to urge on hi
horses
"How do you know that ?" asked my COM
panion.
''It smells of grease I" replied the fellow
laughing with all his might.
The calash turned suddenly round corner
at great risk Of upsetting, and stopped II
front of the post-station. 1t was the woodeI
house of q Jewish butcher that was on fire
opposite 10 us on the square the co-religion
lists of the poor fellow were removing his fur
niture ont of the front windows the fire hAt
caught in the rear Of the house. The faoad'
was still quite black, but that deep blael
which precedes combustion. Some puis o
blue smoke filtered here and there through
the roof. presaging the general conhagratior
which evidently would soon take place.
While my companion was busy seeing tina
fresh horses were given to u.s. and having ou
travelling permits signed, remained on thu
steps of the post station, that were raised
few feet above the level OF the square, AM
which overlooked the whole scene.
hre Is not q rare occurrence In Poland
but when jews house is burning, the Jew
alone run to give help and exert themselves
while the Catholics watch motionless, perhap
not without certain satisfaction, the ''ill
gotten" goods Of the sons of Abraham perish
This inhumanity can be explained, II 1t car
not be excused, by the Isrealites rapacity
who, on account OF their commercial ability
hold In their hands the greater portion Q
these unfortunate peoples incomes, who al
, generally very poor, and made still poorer b
the system of usury which is largely practise
In that country.
! The butchers wife and children, who weE
! in the centre Of the square, were rending th
ait with their shrill cries some dogs WeI
barking; our embarrassed horses were shRl
/ ing their bell-ooVered collars, while the stI
ble-men were attaching lot of other bells
the harness Of the horses that were 10 replaC
/ them. All this made an inexpressible nois'
principally In sharp notes, stopped my eal
: with my fingers.
l Suddenly saw the Jews who were reno
D ing the furniture rush with precipitation o.
, OF the windows, as well as out of the door
4 q cloud of white smoke filed the room the
5 had Just left, while a red blaze shone throuG
: It's further extremity the inside partitiC
was In flames.