Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-02-08
A Story of the
Russian Revolution

During the late Russo Japanese war.
at the battle of Mukden, when the Rus.
slams We're about to gain a marked ad.
vantage, the color bearer of regiment
posted at a critical point suddenly threw
down the colors. The men, seeing the
flag lowered, turned and fled The colo
mel of the regiment at first supposed
that the color bearer had been shot,
but on learning that this was not so
sent for him. The soldier was conduct.
ed before his commanding officer.
John Zariski, the color bearer, was a
fine looking young fellow, tall, straight,
handsome. There was something def
ant in his mien as he stood before his
commander waiting punishment, which
he could hardly doubt would be death.
why did you drop the colors?"
Zariski made no reply. The colonel
looked at him curiously His appear
ance certainly did not denote lack of
bravery. Partly as a test the officer
Kissed:
"Coward.'
A shiver passed over the young mans
frame. He raised his eyes and gave
his accuser Il glance which seemed to
say, Had | an opportunity you would
not impugn my courage again."
Turning to an officer behind him, the
colonel gave an order. Zariski was
marched in the center of a squad
straight for the front, where the fight
Ing was thickest, was placed in position
by himself, the squad drew up before
him. there was volley, and he fell.
The officer in command was about to
march his men away when he discov-
cred force of dusky little men moving
toward his rear. In another moment
he and his men were running to save
themselves from being cut off, leaving
the body of Zariski among the dead.
Among the first regiments to be sent
back to Russia was that in which John
Zariski had served. 1t was posted for
time at Moscow, but on the opening
of the revolution was sent to Warsaw
and charged with maintaining the gov
eminent cause in a certain district of
the city
One day crowd of Polish revolu-
tionists We're parading, bearing aloft
the flag of Poland, when they were
fired on by the Russian troops. The
revolutionists returned the fire with
far better arms and effect than was
usual with them, and the Russians,
small detachment, retired. That night
the revolutionists made barricades, and
the next morning these barricades 'bris-
tied with rifles and reyolvers. The colo
mel in command-the same who had
ordered the shooting of John Zariski-
rode on to the ground and looked at the
barrcades.
Captain" he said to the officer in
command of the troops, you must
take those barricades"
Colonel" replied the officer, 81 have
but ninety men. There are hundreds of
the revolutionists, apparently well
armed. Besides, they seem to have a
leader who knows how to handle them
to the best advantage I
have never noticed concerning them
before"
Captain" replied the colonel, they
are rabble. Dispense them at once or
be prepared to face court martial"
The captain marched his ninety men
up to the breastworks and met fire
that laid low half of them. The rest
fled to the rear There they met the
colonel, who sat on his horse scowling
at them. Rallying them, he was about
to lead them forward when the cap
tain cautioned him.
Colonel" he said, 81 fear a portion
of their force have marched around the
square and will take us in the rear.
There are not so many of them behind
their barricade as there We're, and their
flag is gone"
All the more reason why they should
be dispersed" the colonel growled and
gave the order to advance The men
were about to obey when shot was
fired down the street from an opposite
direction. All turned and saw solid
mass under the flag of Poland moving
upon them by the only route that had
been open to their retreat. A man
was marching in advance, holding the
flag in his right hand, a sword in his
left
about face!" cried the colonel.
"Charge!"
But his order was ignored. The fifty
men he commanded knew they We're no
match for ten times their number on
both sides Of them. The revolutionists
by order Of their commander, he who
bore the flag. halted, drew up in line
with something Of the precision Of
troops and brought their weapons to
an aim. Then the colonel consented
that the captain should raise his white
handkerchief on the point of his sword
in token Of surrender. The command
er of the revolutionists advanced and
met the colonel. Both started. John
Zarish and the man who had ordered
him to be shot for lowering the flag of
Russia stood face to face.
Colonel said Zariski, 1.-THE last time
| saw you you called me coward If
it was cowardy to throw down the
flag Of nation detest and hate, then
am l coward. l was not Russian,
but Pole made to serve against my