The herald. (Big Stone City, Dak. [S.D.]) 1883-1890, 1889-03-08
RUSSIANS IN NEW YORK.
Their Home Life and Mysterious Castro
nouic Delicac,es-The SamoNar.

In society circles Of this city Russian
innovations, such a, the "Samovar.
have recently found favor. says the
New York MO,2ttny jOhrNa(, untllprob-
ably some new japanese or Pata"on-
ian fad rtlcgatcs the copper FURNISHED,
evcr-hummiug. tca-brewinr machine
to 4 stall in the antlquarian's collcc-
tions or to a corner OF the workshop If
circumstances take pcrvcrSe turn.
There is, however, a small and wealthy
element Of Russians living here i'll the
homes Of whom the sanovar and all
that is distinctly Slavonic pleasantly
coDvinces the American who has the
good fortune to be honored with an iu-
vitatiou that he can study Russian So
cictv life without travelling in the do
mains Of the ear.
Among the Russians of means and
lineage residing in New York, Count
Gesthoilsky and his pretty young wife
whr occupy elegant apartments at the
Eskdale, appear particularly Is Il cen
ter of attraction to those Of their com
patriots associated with the Russian
diplomatic and consular service, in
Guiding Baron Roman de Rosen and
Doctor Popotl.
1t was at Il dinner party attended by
this elite circle of Russians that the
writer had an opportunity a few eve
uiHgs ago to study 4 bit of customs
and life among our highbred Slavs
The drawlng-room iii which the sew
cral guests were received with charm
inc informality by the hostess at once
impressed one with the foreign pic
turesquencss Of lis appointments.
With orthodox Greek Catholic rev.
erence each guest, rs soon as the first
gretlng had been exchanged, passed
across the room to an image OF the
national saint cnshrlncd in Il rich.
quaint frame of BYZANTINE design COW
erlng all Of the canvas except Il me-
dallon oval showing the face and bust
of the holy image.
A small, cresccnt-shaped silver cup
containing lighted OH taper stood
before the "lkon,' As this image is
called by Russians. Having bestowed
the customary homage in solemn ST.
lenee, the guests made themselves at
home, conyersng on politics, foreign
court gossip, and literature.
Works Of the best foreign authors,
rs Gogol, Dostow, JeilsSy. Loyotf, and
Runsky korsakotf, were earelesslv
strewn on 4 eentcr-table. Those who
would enjoy the music of the national
compatriots found at tile piano COM
positions Of Gluscla, Serotf, and Te-
narkoskS.
But the feature that puzzles an
American guest most of all is undoubt-
edly the gastronpmlc part of the feast.
10 say nothing of the odd Russian
typography OF the menu, they are 4
hundredfold more curious and COM
plcated than the mere letters sug-
gest.
Besides, the dinner has 4 prelude.
The host refers to this part Of the ban
quet as our .zak ouska,' which in off
/ hand translation may be described as
liquid and solidiied appetizer of gem
erous proportions. The zakouska is
served la fourchette 1T the sideboard
! III 4 separate room. The deicacies
comprise salt and picked herring,
genuine cavlare, anchoyies, fine
chopped onions,ani black bread Each
morsel requires 4 special libation of
O,schstenni Vodka, a liquid that re-
minds me Of Jersey ligntning," fla
vored with Tabasco sauce
Strengthened by these compounds.
the party adJonrns in a body to the din-
ing-room, where fresh and startling
mysteries await the investigator whose
stomach is about to become Russian
ized
Two fat turechs send forth AN
aroma different from that of any known
soup. The host asks If You wish 4
plate Of "borsch,' Or would you ratll-
CT have 'schtee?'
Ignorant Of the ingredients, one
might as well choose at random. The
.borsch' turns out on nearer acs,,laint-
soup, in which You pour gill Of cream
/ Il give 1t the rlgat seasoning accord
/ ing to Russian gournand notions.
''Sehtee' soup has 4 dark, burnt-su-
| gar color. aud pr,,cs itself on vcge-
/ table mixture Of boiled bects. turnips
and Il half dozen other relatives Of tho
| beet family.
he meat courses are served with a
variety of patty pastry, while Criinean
wine in original llayons cheers the
| diners. After dessert the guests are
regaled with splendid Russian tea,
scented with lemon, and the putting
OF strong cigarettes announces that
! the dinner is ut IN end.
Tho Presidents : writin.y desk q Wash.