The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-28

yer. which have been stolen from the pal
aces of the nobility by their servants
Knives, forks, spoons. opera glasses, Jew
ery of all kinds. clothing, hats, caps and
shoes, bed linen, towels, cooking utensils
everything that is made and used by men
and Women-are there. A nurse girl may
pawn the clothing of an infant; a lady
maid may steal a hairbrush or towel or
two. or a pair of gloves that her mistress
has carelessly laid one side. When people
miss articles and have any reason to sus-
pect that they have been stolen, they go to
the Thieves Market instead of police head
quarters, because ii is an easier and
cheaper way of recovering their property
The police are slow and severe ana the
plaintiff in a criminal case generally suffers
almost as badly as the defendant.
One of the greatest drawbacks in visiting
Russia is the filthy habits of the people
The external use OF water is almost un-
known among the lower classes. who sell
dom change their garments from year TO
year. unless they wear out. They work and
sleep in the same clothing, and the Vermln
TO which one is exposed in the churches,
railway stations markets and other places,
where the common people are in the habit
of gathering, are very offensive. A woman
who has sensitive olfactories is unable TO
remain long in Russian church While
service is in progress, and Is fortunate II
she leaves before she faints, because with
in few minutes after the service begins
the atmosphere becomes poisoned by the
worn by the peasant worshipers For the
same reason it is not desirable TO spend
much time in the ca bins of the peasantry.
THE RUSSIAN BATH.
The Russian BATH so-called, is sanitary
measure and not for the purpose of cleanli-
ness. peasant who is i'll will wrap him
self in wooden garments, sit on top of a
stove until he is swimming in perspiraton,
and then suddenly strip himself naked and
plunge at full length into the snow The
shock, which would kill an ordinary person,
is relied upon to cure most OF the disease TO
which ne is subject, and. followed by a
hard rubbing and chatting of the skin, is
undoubtedly a healthful exercise. This
practice among the peasants was the origin
prevails among the Turks.
The Mushrooms in the railway cars of
Russia testify to the habits of the people
They are never supplied with towels or
soap, and you seldom find a stopper for the
washbowl. We have spent several nights in
Russian sleeping cars, which were usually
crowded with other passengers, but have
always had the Mushrooms to ourselves,
and have had to pay a rouble $50 centS)
each for sheets, pillow cases and towels,
which are supplied by the porters to fas-
tidious foreigners. The natives seldom use
them.
The Russian sleeping cars are luxurious.
They are divided into compartments, some
with two and others with four hunks. at
right angles with the car, and during the
Gay accommodate three persons on each
seat. At night the Settee is turned topside
down by pressing a spring and discloses a
woven-wire mattress, which is nearly as
wide the beTths in our sleeping cars and
much more comfortable The charges are
about the same as those of the Pullman
company. II rOubleS go for the large and 4
roubles $3.50 for the small compartment.
with 1 rouble extra for trimmings" as /
have said. The porters and the other rail-
way attendants look ike cavalry soldiers
with their trousers tucked into high boots
and leather belts around their waists
All the railway officials. custOm-h house in
spectors and other employees of the railways
and the government with whom travellers
come into contact are civil and respectful.
They give strangers an unusual amount Of
attention and endeavOr To make your jour
ney as comfortable and agreeable as posi-
BILE. There are dining cars on the princi-
pal trains and those without them stop at
the conventional meal. hours at well-kept
restaurants