Bisbee daily review., 1904-09-27
Russian Soldier Affords
 Interesting Character Study

Writing of experiences at the front Count von Binder Krieglstein gives the following description of the Czar's sol diers, which teens with interest as a character study of the men now bat ting so fiercely at the front;
 It was at Mukden. as l was bargain ing for some provision in an American store, that first met face to face with a typical Russian soldier.
 A man about 35. built as a college athlete. with magnificent black full beard and dark expressive eyes. enter ed the store and greeted us in the most friendly manner and went over to the counter and asked if he could have a bottle of zubrowka. a cheap Russian whisky.
 The Armenian said that he could. and, as he handed him the bottle of polscn. thesoldier. without asking the price. thew three silver roubles on the counter.
 The Armenian hesitated moment the rice of the zubrowka was two rou- bles-and then gave him sixty kopeks. With his fine knowledge of the Rus sian character he knew that the sol 6ier would feel ashamed to ask about the price in the presence of strangers.
 The Siberian Rifle guard looked at the sixty kopeks and after moments s thought pushed the money toward the storekeeper.
 You may as well keep the change, little father" The Armenian acted as if he was greatly offended. and re- piled: "But.my little dove it costs on ly two roubles and forty
 The soldier does not deign him an answer. and lighting his cigarette. of fers us his case that We may help our selves.
 My friends-two Frenchman. who have been in the country for some time. whisper to me: Take one. or he will feel offended" so l follow their advice. and in return ask for bottle of Madeira" which here in times of war costs three roubles. while the reg ulsr price is eighty kopeks.
 With perfect ease. this common soldier accepts my invitation. and it is only with difficulty that l can keep him from sending for another bottle. When I ask him if he intends 10 emp tv his bottle of zubrowka to-day, he de- nies it smilingly. with the words: Il am Russian soldier" and as he sees that We do not understand him. he adds. Russian solCi-s do not drink zu- browka, but only wine.
 Over the wine we soon become fast friends The soldier tells us his name and seaks of his wife and child and how the grain had just begun to get green when he left home and how he had received two letters from his faml- Iv which he presently produced from an inner pocket. and askes permission to let the Armenian read to him, as ne is sorry to say that he does not know how to read himself.
 The contents of the letters ouch him deeply and soon the tears roll down his cheeks as he listens to his wife's terms of endearment and wishes for his safe return, and when the Ar msnian has finished reading and gives him back the letter he can not longer control his emotion. and says, smiling in an embarrassed manner through his tears: And when I now get down to the Yalu to be shot by the Japonskis I will get no more letters from my little dove I hope your excellencies will forgive a plain soldier"
 Of course, We forgive him.
 But when, We come out into the stree; the soft-hearted. good-natured fellow draws his bayonet and makes a furious lunge at a passing dog, as if to show that his sentimentality will not prevent him from performing hero ic deeds a. the right time and place.
 That the occasion was not very well chosen never occurs to this child of nature
 Thus is the Russian soldier a mix turc of Slav senti:Tsntality and Asiatic brutality. but even his peculiar character makes him a soldier as nc other. with the possible exception of