The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-02-07
THE STREETS OF MOSCOW
QUAINT SCENES AND INCIDENTS
ABOUT A RUSSIAN CITY.
An Army of Beggars-odd Signs
Peculiarities of the Houses -


Peculiarities of the Houses
Water Carriers.
Strange city that Of Moscow A
traveller writing from there says the
houses are mostly OF but one story, with
the floors level with the sidewalk. In
nearly every window flowers are kept to
prevent passers from glancing into the
apartments. One of the first things i'm
pressing visitor is the large number of
beggars soliciting aims for religious pur.
poses and the large amount of money
given to that end, Both men and women
beg tor the church, they dressing alike
in long black gowns, with round caps
and wells. People generally respond to
these petitions, II only the smallest cop
per piece is given, while merchants and
mobiles frequently endow churches and
monasteries. At what is called the
Iversky Gate, located in the busiest part
of the city, is little chapel, in which is
an old and popular image, known as the
"Iversky Mother of God," before which
a throng OF worshippers is constantly
kneeling. Often the image is taken
away to heal the sick and bless new
houses, in which case copy is put up;
but be it original or substitute, all classes,
even to the Emperor himself when in
Moscow, stop for moment to pray.
Blessed candles are sold at the
entrance, and from them and the con.
tributions about $5c, 900 year is realized.
The peculiar street signs are another
thing attracting special attention from
the stranger. Nearly every one shows
alterations in smaller letters than those
first used. This came of the law giving
the police authority to regulate
signs, and the succeeding correction of
bad spelling and other inaccuracies,
Pictorial signs are in great favor, and
every article in household use and for
family consumption can be seen painted
on the shop doors and fronts of the
buildings. Family residences are painted
in white or yellow. Brick is not used
for building, but houses are constructed
of squared logs, nicely fitted together,
with the cracks calked with oakum. The
exterior is then boarded and still further
covered with thick felt, and over all
coated with stucco plaster. AS may be
imagined, the interiors are snug and
comfortable. There are no cellars under
the houses, but small caves are dug in
the ground in the courtyards. These are
filled with ice in the winter, and are
used for keeping meat and game through
the summer. The houses have another
popularity in seldom having a door
open on the street, but into the court
surrounded by high fence. The gates
are barred at night, and the doorkeeper
or "doornik" sits on bench in front to
let people in and out. The "doornik"
is useful person. He keeps the court
clean, sees to buying wood, shovels snow
off the walk in winter and sweeps it in
summer. In warm weather, if the pave.
ment is dusty, he sprinkles it with .
dipper and pail of water. He collects
rents, sees to repairs, and will acts as
gardener if necessary. Gardens are at
tached to nearly every house.
Among the earliest movers on the
streets in the morning are the water
carriers, who seem always busy. Moscow
is supplied with water from springs
twelve miles away, but it is brought
only to the large fountains in the street
squares, and the pipes are rarely laid to the
houses. 1t is necessary to bring all the
water for household use from one Of
these fountains and distribute it to their
customers, who pay something like 30
cents to 40 cents month for it. Every
thing about these fountains and water
carriers is so primitive that there are not
even any stop cocks or hose, and each
man must fill his own barrel with long
handled dipper The carriers become
so expert in handling the clippers that
they keep an almost continuous stream
going from the fountain to the reservoirs
carried. In case of a fire there is always
trouble. The engines are small and
with but little force. They are drawn
by horses, with half dozen men to each
machine, but no sooner does everything
get into working shape than the water
gives out. All the water for the engine
is brought in large cask mounted on
wheels, similar to water sprinkler, and
these casks must be constantly renewed.
There is not in all Moscow cistern for
fire purposes, and though the city is
provided with water pipes, there is not
q single hydrant. Every water cask
must 90 to the fountain to be filed In
spite Of these ridiculous appurtenances,
their brass helmets, high boots and
coarse gray clothes, and are far more
efficient than one would suppose. Unless
the flames get under too mu( h Roadway
they are usually checked before doing
serious damage, but otherwise it is
thought a good thing if spread is pre-
vented.
Street vendors are everywhere with
every variety of offerings. All kinds of
fruit, brushes, baskets, tinusee bread,
vegetables, cold tea, everything is
hawked about by men and boys on foot.
Italian organ grinders are also plenty
and bands Of singing gypsies are often
met. The latter go in bands OF about a
dozen women and half do en- men, and
are at hand in nearly all the cafes.
Their music has something weird and
unearthly about it, and is at the same
time fascinating. The accompaniment
is usually by guitars thummed in most
unmusical way and yet with a certain
pleasing effect. What is much liked is
the dancing. A girl and a young man
rise and face each other, singing alter
nate stanzas, while the rest sing quick,
lively chorus. The two circle slowly
about each other with parallel waving
of their hands. Suddenly the girl be-
gins to trembie, first with her hands and
then with her whole body. The music
becomes quicker and quicker. and wilder
and wilder, until her whole frame is one
tremor, and she sinks exhausted into
the arms of her partner amidst the in
voluntary applause of the spectators.
WISE WORKS