New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
THE RUSSIAN JEHU.
HE OWNS HIS OWN OUTFIT AND Is A
FARMER FOR PART OF THE YEAR

From The London Field.
The cab driver Of Russian towns differs in
many ways from our own Jehu. although in the
matter OF having a ready answer which does
not turn away wrath. for both friend and foe
ne seems TO be closely related. There are no
large cab owners, and, if those of the tram COM
panles be excepted, large stables in either
MOSCOW or st. Petersburg, and almost every
driver owns or has at least a share in the lot
he drives Although at first sight cab driving
IN the capitals Of the empire can hardly be con-
sldered as village industry, yet in Russia il IS
considered as such. The "isvoshtchiks." as the
hymen are called, are nearly always members
or far distant village cOmmunes. who spend the
whole or part Of the year at town work but
who remit the greater portion Of their earnings
to their native place, and themselves return to
IL When agricultural work or fishing is ut
premium. and when city work health gives
out This connection between farmer and fac
tory hand, tOWnSmau and tiller of the soil is
characteristic of all Russian industry it is no
uncommon sight to a cotton linen factory
empty during harvest. The coachman Of the
city Is generally a member Of a peasant family
whose males Outnumber the females. so that
some of the former are forced to forsake the al
lotment which proves insufficient TO provide
support or labor Tor them all, and turn to the
town for a living. He comes TO the busy centre,
learns his way about it. buys a droshky, i
small but not uncomfortable vehicle on run
ners and a four-wheeIed chase Of about the
same size for summer use, takes out a license
from the police and makes a start. His horse
(for, unlike the London brother, he seldom has
more than one) he brings with him from the
farm or, perhaps, to be literal, it brings him;
and often the possession Of the animal is the
reason Of the drivers change Of fortunes and Of
scene
This isvoshtchik is a strange object as he sits
on the narrow board which serves him as a seat
at the front Of his drOshky, clothed in a long
blue gown which reaches to the ground is heav-
lily quilted with down, and tied in at the waist
with a strap or ornamental cord and heavy
sheepskln cap over his ears. He lives no.
madiC life seldom having any fixed residence
OF stable in the town. and is thus often to be
seen asleep in his drOshky while his horse feeds
at the public trOughs. which the local author
tiles put up in almost every side street One
may see him. when he has put down passen-
ger and earned his fare, go to the nearest corn
merchant. buy Just sufficient hay and corn for
one meal for his horse and place it in the man.
ger. Then he gets fodder for himself from the
| ambulant vendors of black bread, tresca (odor-
ferrous cOdfish) and weak. milkless tea. who
stand the corner Of most Russian streets,
and afterward he sleeps peaceably IN his sledge,
until his horse be rested ard ht for another
/ journey. Then he goes again until. some
hours later, he repeats the process at the other
end of the town. At night he plays Box and
Cox with his partner. with whom he forms a
| limited liability company. AT a fixed time he
must meet him in some tavern yard, take out
his own tired horse and surrender the droshky
I The second man. whose horse is fresh
takes his twelve hours, and at the appointed
/ time IN the morning must meet IN the same tav-
ern. After week they change over, the night
/ man takes the day work and vice versa thus
[ one vehicle. with no lodgings or Stable-fOr the
men rest in the pOthOuSe, the horses in the
yard or sheds adjoining it-supports two men
whose sole object in life is to earn and save
Z
return to the land the mistress Of every mujik's
/ affections.
The isvoshtchik is an excellent example OF
that absence Of fXity OF tariff which is so
prevalent throughout Russia for in the matter
Of charges he is a law unto himself When you
show signs of wanting a drOShky all the drivers
within hail assemble and bid against thu
other for the custom; this viii take you for
so much. that for less and so one takes
/ ones choice, a good. fast horse and smart sleigh
at a good price, a bad one for fraction OF it,
Should one, however, select poor looking beast,
the drivers left behind viii make encouraging
/ remarks as one drives away He is lame"
. He stumbles" The driver is drunk they will
shout in chorus, until one is out of earshot. One
/ natural result of this elastic system is that the
old law # supply and demand makes itself felt;
for while fares low during slack hours, they
are apt, at close Of play or beginning Of storm,
10 at once rise several points"
The isvoshtchk is not bad cOachmdn, gen.
orally driving with very tight rein and sOme<
/ what furously He shouts at everything in his
way. and constantly encourages his not unwil-
ing little steed with such remarks as Now
Vanka (Little john. your dinner" 1T is
not far" The day IS cold AT the end are
food and rest" God is good"