The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-16
carriers, is inscribed with pious notices In
their own language.
A SIrPERSTITIOI-S RACE.

their own language.
A SUPERSTITIOUS RACE.
The Emperor has promised his volunteers
beautiful new tangled "iostas," appropriate
to the occasion, in the national colors, black
and white. bearing some patriotic motto. but
Ii Is not yet settled that the gift VIII be
accepted. The Lithuanians are a very super
stitious race and fear TO lose caste with
their fellows by adjoining themselves with
anything coming from Germany. All their
stuffs and goods are home-ma lie. When the
weaving and embroidery. Every farmhouse
has its old-fashioned loom. and the winter
evenings are generally spent In the spinning
room.
The Lithuanians are blonde or brown; the
race doesn't produce dark or red-headed
glrls- one OF the slghts OF tne reglnen v
long and thick hair. When the girls are on
horseback their braids reach TO their heels:
They like to wear them drawn over the left
shoulder. but it's a question whether mill
tary rules will permit this act OF vanity.
The regimen will have no hats. The only
head-dress custom permits the Lithuanians
to wear is the ~raisztis, a sort OF linen cap,
feStooned with lace and flowers. To this
they cling with something akin OF religious
wives. widows and old women's caps, and
woe 10 the woman who dons one not be-
longing to her rank. The gods will certainly
Christians, the Lithuanians still cling to
this day to their ancient mythology and
heather notions. They ride to church on
Sundays well enough, but on the way
thither worship some traditional deity, sup
posed to reside in a tree, on the river bed
or seashore. with offerings OF grain, eggs
or chickens.
Not the least interesting part of this
Amazon regiment are the horses, bred from
Arab, Neapolitan, Spanish and English
stock. They are, as a rule. alert animals
with brainy foreheads and intelligent eyes
set wide apart. The head Of the Lithuanian
horse is small and carried on lengthy neck.
He has sloping shoulders. a roomy chest
and small ears. The best of these horses
look like thoroughbreds. with their promi-
nent muscles, wide hips and their general
air of gentleness and fearlessness.
The regiment proposes TO meet the Kaiser
at some railway station, not yet named.
between Koenigsberg and Gumbinned. take
him into its midst and march him In tri-
umph all through Lithuania. or Lithauen.
as the Germans say. Lithuania comprises
the greater half Of east Prussia, and con-
tains many royal castles, hunting grounds,
studs and other crown domains. The fiat
which beautiful roads lead to the various
country houses and villages belonging to his
Majesty. is well adapted TO a snowy pro-
cession of that kind, and II, after reaching
headquarters at Rominten, William feels
like alarming the garrison he can do so
without disturbing the sleep of outsiders.
Rominten is usually furnished with a
guard OF 200 infantry during the kaisers
stay there. The girls will take the places OF
these foot soldiers, and like them. bivouac
under canvas. Their long herding whips
are their only weapon, which Will probably
be used in case of obnoxious curiosity seek
ers or even of poacherS.