Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-07-30

ton OF a call. lie stood nervOusly rubbing
his hands while ] informed bim his know.
ledge Of his own people was the primal
object Of the interview, if he would impart
little Of j, 20 the inquirer
Are there many Of your people and
religion living in this cityl' was asked
In verv thick utterance and bad English
this shaggy faced cddity said be did not
know won undered1
Noticing the accumulation OF books scat
tered on boxes and side shelves, he was
asked If be was writer as well "a a reader,
to which he automatically replied, II writes
won ] bleazen
'Will you not mention a few of your Rus
sian friends, and state their general occupa-
tiuns.~
''Vor vatr was his inquiring reply Few
faces could have held such deep suspicion
and distrust a. covered his every feature
Satisfying him that no harm was intended
he made mention Of a score OF names, always
terminating with witch" or witch" Ac-
cording TO Mr. Soldenlovitch, there are more
witches in New York to-day than has ever
been heard Of since the era Of Salem witch
craft Little information could be obtained
from this nervous, reticent specimen Of his
race. Climbing a dingy stairway in an
apartment house on Chrystie street, a family
was found, answering 10 the name Of Ire
bolsk. Considerable mystery hangs over
the father Of this family, whs is always
reading, writing and studying in his own
language. They are neither rich nor
poor, but live squalidly; they profess
to know very few of their own people, and
look upon all intruders with marked sus-
picion. Not one Of the Slavs found in New
York city hut anticipate some time a return
to their native land. They do not favor the
idea of colonization, citizenship or English
education. Yet they are unusually inteIli-
gent OF all the poor classes of sll nations
TO he found here none are generally so we'll
read. welkinformed and quick in all mental
abilities
There is comparatively little trade between
the United States and the land of Slavs; the
high tariff on all Russian productions put
an obstacle in the path of commercial inter
ests wears ago. The principal growths and
main products Of Russia are similar TO those
of the United States, and we have no need OF
their stock. No advantage is taken of our
educational or business interests by the best
Of this people 10 foster the expenditure Of
time or money, or even a temporary home
among us. Land they have in abundance;
educational advantages. without crossing the
Atlantic. But the poorer classes. the suffer
ing peasantry AMI struggling souls who are
eager for gain, are the people who find New
York. The most intelligent among this
class seem TO do all the writing. teaching
and guiding of their fellows-at the same
time. will not admit that they know anyone,
or have any actual dealings with their fellow
countrymen. The Nihilistic elem mt exists
here upon general principles. 50 10 speak.
They are interested in Nihilism. and the in
telligent are argumentative upon its doe
trnes, without betraying a fidelity 10 it. In
this pointed shrewdness OF character the
Russian is eminent.
The few who will talk declare they are not
in. sympathy with Nihilism, bat betray a
live interest in il at the same time.
The female Slav is an interesting study.
Physically. she is slight, Of medium height,
with ruddy brunette or sallow face; ewes
that are kind in expression, but with murky
depths. beyond the surface of which no one
can penetrate. These women are quiet, to
almost stOlidity, but alert to catch everything
that passes They are not takers. even among
themselves. Pass il around TO the credit of
the nation. They are good wives and
a
but showing that they consider a woman is
made by the Creator TO simply exist for
mans good An inherent sense Of being
possessed, owned a. a chattel, is openly the
Slavic woman's reigning idea. As a rule,
they are not neat in person; not unclean y,
but untidy and ankempt. Their natures are
slow. cold, Indifferent, as il hope were un-
desirable, energy waste of material. am
bition a stranger.
This, Of course is ali sdEong the squalid
ranks-the Russian lady is quite another indi-
vidual There are but few in New York city
they are tall. symmetrical, with social tastes
and refined manners beftting the highest sta
ton. type Of womanhood Of the Chris
tine Nilsson order, only more Of the bru-
nette complexion. SO interviewer with the
Hebrew element is this limited Russian citi-
zenship. it hardly forms distinctive one.
Such "a il is il possesses interest for its exclu-
siveness, forbearance with privation and its
intelligence. Our Slavic poor give the
courts, societies and police SO trc:i5le at all
compared with some of our foreign brother
hood. LIsIE LESTER.