The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-02

bers, herbs and Jumps Of salmon. with cold
/ kvaso poured over it-and drained my
glass Of vodka, when 1 began a retrospec-
tive study of my notebook. The life of the
simple people of the steppes along the Vol
ga is very varied in its everyday routine
From May to October their working year
drags its slow length along. How would
the American laborer fancy a working day
of 1s hours duration? And this beneath
the rays of q sun almost tropical in its in
tensity. The long frosts of winter, fire.
quently lasting, without thaw, for seven
consecutive months, necessitate suspen-
sion of all work, and the open months
must therefore be made the very most OF
All down the long reaches of the river
the country is dotted with towns and vii
lagos, and seized the opportunity for visit
ing some of them. Here the primitive life
of the tOiling moujik is seen to the best
advantage.
The volga Peasantry.
A Russian village is quite a pastoral
scene on summer evening or during
the daytime when a holiday is on. Tho
old people sit around out of doors and Cos
sip, and the younger men and women join
in the Khorovodor merrymaking held n
the village square. Yet they have not al
ways been so very peaceful, for during the
reign of Nicholas the serfs in the Volga
villages rose in rebellion and INDUCED in
gross barbarities, actually roasting their
masters ut the stake.
Besides the actual hardworkers among
the peasantry, there is also a large contin-
gent of itinerants who toll not, neither do
they spin. 1t is ON the Volga's banks you
meet the curious object known as the
bourlak. l saw numbers of these fellows
at the places where the steamer put in.
The bourlak squats on the ground and
half buries his face in his hands, while all
the time he chants somewhat dismal
song. What it may be all about is usually
very much of puzzle to the listener. With
my own knowledge OF the Russian tongue
/ failed to recognize the meaning of the
bourlaki songs. The church itself supplies
some of the most incurable Migrants to be
found in Russia. For longer time than
/ can approximately estimate the Greek
church has been distinguished for its over
crowded state. l refer to the ranks of the
clergy, which are Joined by more men than
the country can support. They find relief
from the congested state of the profession
in accepting the mission of aims collectors
for religious charitable institutions. In
this capacity they wander all over and lead
the most irresponsible kind of existence.
They are really little better than mendi-
cants, but have the call on the nonSacer-
dotal beggar in being. despite their dissi
pated habits, objects of generation to the
guileless moujiks. These clerical wander
ers are extensive patrons of the traktirs
(saloons), but no matter how drunk they
may happen to be-a frequent condition
the peasants will seek their benediction
and receive it with every evidence of keen
appreciation of the precious gift they have
secured. Nuns will also be frequently en-
countered who are on the same mission as
their brethren III religion. Like the lat
ter. they tramp from post to pillar solicit
ing contributions for the support of the
church or its charities
Life of the Peasantry.
The village communities OF Russian
peasants deserve some attention here. The
brief reference made TO the village life Of
the Slavs in a preceding paragraph requires