The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-25
ALASKAN EXHIBIT.
Ella Sterling Cummins' Fifth Interest
ing Letter.
. The Black Priest of KilIisnoo-Glory
of Mt. Tacoma-Home-
ward Bound.
lsnecfal Corregpondence REcoRD-UNIoN.l

ANA-SCANN'"
Intuition is wonderful thing. Actually
you could almost feel a Russian among
the other descendants of the white race
in Alaska. There was something so
striking, so remarkable about them, with
their fine features, clear compilations,
vivid eyes and abundant boards. lntul-
ton is a wonderful thing, but some way
ours seemed to be mixed over all the Rus
slams / picked out, and felt mysterious
thrills over, regarding their belonging
originally to the Cars regions.
Hi made bold to ask one, Excuse me,
but you are a Russian, are you not?"
And the reply was, well, net particu-
larly 1 am from Indiana, and my name
is Allan McDougal." Twice my Russians
were from Indiana, SO l gave it up.
But 1 did see a Russian who came from
the region of the Ural Mountains, who
was wonderful enough for the central
figure of a novel or painting. He was
the Black Priest OF Killisnoo. Since the
American aSceudancy in Alaska, the only
apparent evidence of the former lords OF
the land is the Greek Church and its con-
comitants. The Indian must be puzzled
at the difference between the Greek, the
Catholic, the Presbyterian and other
forms of Christianity presented to him.
But at least the Greek has the advantage
of having been first on the ground, and
the Government of Russia still NAM
tains these missions at its own expense.
Thus it was that at the island OF Kills
moo, after visiting the fishy little Indian
village, we climbed the hill to the little
church. The interpreter was pure Rus
sian, but from his manner, speech and APP
pearance you would never have guessed
he was other than a Kearny-street BUSH
ness man. But the priest-ah, he was
something strange and wonderful. Very
tall, six feet three or four inches, and
clean shaven, with head of long, curling
black hair about his neck. His eyes were
dark, deep set and almost sinister, though
he was young aud would be called hand
some by any woman, young or old.
There was something gigantesque about
him that made him seem to belong to an
other planet, which was accumulated by
his peculiar long black princess garment
and the gold chain and cross about his
neck.
The interpreter explained that he be-
longed to the order of the BLACK Priest
hood" which never married, different
from the usual Russian priest, and that
he came from the Ural Mountains. Red
Cap and | looked at him with awe. 20
think OF such a wonderful creature being
banished to dwell with Indians on this
delightful things OF civilization, compan-
lonleSs ever and alone. He asked in
russian what was our particular form Of
religion, through the interpreter. [ told
him and he repeated it.
The black priest folded his hands across
his breast, looked up where heaven is
popularity supposed to be, and shook his
head in pity-and, [ think, uttered a
prayer for our benightedness, and then
crossed himself l felt sorry. Out of re-
Spect for his evident pity for US | tried TO
bow and cross myself, too, as we went
past supposed-to- be sacred spot in the
church, that he might not think us ire
Nerent-but my ancestors would not al
low 1t. And 50 the priest crossed himself
Tor US again, still shaking his head IL SUI
perior wisdom over our ignorance and
evident heathenishness.
That afternoon, as the ship sailed away,
he stood on the wharf-a beautiful picture
against the queensland background,
with his little church on the hill. But it
seemed all right TO leave him there. The
cells in his brain were closed UP, the de-
lights OF freedom and civilization were
unknown to him-he might as well be in
kiIlisnoo as anywhere.
1t was on our return journey that
accomplishing became a taVorite pas
time. Everybody was scraping and rub
blng and comparing and talking spoon"
There were those who affected to despise
'spoons"-but they were distinctly out
OF the SWIM" as it were. And the tinkle
OF the silver bracelets rang in our ears
like the Naturalization OF II bell. Bas-
kets and curlos were peeping from every
room, and so, as the ship was on its slide
and nearing Victoria, L suggested that
we get them all out aud have q competi-
tive display, with a prize mention for the
best spoon, best basket and best totem,
w hat" said the pious old lady, ION
Sunday night?" We explained that on
the morrow the party would begin to
break up, and that it was the last chance
To compare baskets and see which were
the genuine native-dyed ones, and note
the difference between native curios and
those imported from Boston and other
lands TO be palmod off on the unwary
traveler-all OF which the Captain would
show us. But she remained firm, 1t was
Sunday night, and she, for one wouldAnot
look at basket till the following day.
But the Doctor" responded at once
with a pleasant smile, and said of course
she would unpack her curios for the ex-
hibit, and the lovely Persian brought
down armfulS of treasures to the tables.
and the Egyptian" all her silver souye-
Mrs, and good-hearted Totem his stone
pipe In the shape OF a fish head and hall
but hoops all carved in totemS, and soon
We had "a fine display as they came down.
one by one. While the "Cherub,n a six
foot infant taken on at Chilcat. brought
out rich furs and added to the pile. OF
all the many baskets on the ship, there