The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-15
HOW RUSSIA ABUSES ITSELF.
n Croquet Set Suspected and Confis-
Gated by OmciaIs.
F. wishaw in Chambers Journal.

f. Wishaw in Chambers Journal.
If were asked to state what Russian
sehoolboy does with his spare time after
working hours are over l should be much
puzzled what TO say.
Unfortunately, young Russia has not the
faintest glimmering of knowledge of the
practice or even Of the existence of such
things as foot ball, cricket, hves rackets,
golf athletic sports, hockey. or any other
OF the numerous pastimes which play so
important part in the life of every
sehoolboy In this merry land of England
Therefore there is no question, for him.
OF staying behind at the school premises
after working hours, in order to take part
In any game. He goes home; that much
is certain; most of his time Is loafed away
that, too Is beyond question. He may
skate little, perhaps, in the winter,
II he happens to live near skating
ground, but he viii not go far for II; and
in the summer, which is holiday time
for him from June till September, he
walks up and down the village street
clothed in white calico garments, or plays
cup and ball IN the garden; fishes a little.
perhaps, In the river or pond II there hap
pen to be one, and lazies his time away
without exertioa. OF late years 'lorte-
neece," as lawn tennis Is called in the
cars country, has been slightly attempt-
ed; but 1t is not really liked; too many
balls are lost, and the rules of the game
have never yet been thoroughly grasped.
A quartet OF men will occasionally rig I'm
their net, which they raise TO about the
hight OF a foot and a half, and play a
series of battledore and shuttlecock over
II until the balls disappear; but IL IL
scarcely tennis. AS matter of fact a
Russian generally rushes at the ball and
misses IL; on the rare occasions when ha
strikes the object. he does so with so
much energy, unless stopped by his
adversary's eye. or his partners. disap-
pears for ever into the blue" Croquet
Is a mild favorite, too; but 1t is PLAYED
very languidly and mechanically.
Wen do remember a scene at the GUS
tom house some years-a good manv vears
l fear-agol / was a schoolboy at the
time, and had arrived from England In
order to spend the summer HOLIDAYS In
Russia. Among my impedimenta was a
box of croquet paraphernalia which l had
been commissioned to bring out for An
English resident. At that time the gam.
was as yet unknown to the country. and
the custom house authorities on opening
the box retreated In horror and alarm
when they beheld its awe-inspiring con-
tents Instruments of assault, bombs.
mysterious weapons of every kind ver,,
contained in that awful box-not one or
them would go near II! Amid excIama-
tons OF warning and horror, l drew forth
one OF the bombs and placed II upon the
ground; then second; to the accompani-
Inent OF cries or terror and CONSERVATION
] took from the case a terrible weapon
Nnown to croquet players as a malleD,
and 70 the inexpresslzle alarm OF all pres
ent / commenced a little exhibition game
of croquet upon the floor OF the custom
house, in order TO demontrate the uses
OF the various implements. As the hoons
could not well be utilized on the wooden
boards, these Innocent articles were
gravely suspected. I believe the officials
took them TO be boomerangs Of a novel
and peculiar description, and the whole
box was consequently detained for FUR
Their and fuller investigation. | believe
they sunk II IN deep water and sent down
a scientifically disposed diver to inspect
Il In safety. My friends got their Gro.
auet set eventually. but the balls bore
marks Of careful testing; those officials
had felt sure they were bombs, and had
done their very best to convict them OF
dynamite.