Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-03-08
A Story Of the
Russian Revolution
(Original.l

- SNS oASSSS "a AAoAOCuS VIC JAC u
slams were about to gain q marked i'd
vantage, the color bearer of a regiment
posted ut a critical point suddenly threw
down the colors. The men, seeing the
flag lowered, turned and fed. 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 bis 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 colorsT"
Iariski made nc 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
AAo oSNuSSl " SldASC Wd1SA SCCLlCu W
say, Had 1 all 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
| hin, fho1n v-oc q yc11av o,,1 ho folJ
The officer in command was about to
march his men away when he discov-
cred a 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
a 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 a crowd of Polish revolu-
tonists were p%arading, bearing aloft
the flag of Poland, when they were
fred on by the Russian troops. The
revolutionists returned the fire with
far better arms and effect than was
usual with them, and the Russians, a
small detachment, retired. That night
the revolutionists made %barricades, and
the next morning these barricades bris-
tied with rifles and r%evolvers. The colo
mel in command-the same who had
ordered the shooting Of John Zariski-
rode on to the ground and looked at the
barricades.
"Captain," he said to the officer in
command Of the troops, "you must
take those barbados"
Colonel" replied the officer, II have
but ninety men. There are hundreds of
the revolutionists, apparently we'll
armed. Besides, they seem to have a
leader who knows how to handle them
to the best Notwithstanding I
have never noticed concerning them
before
Captain" replied the colonel, ''they
are a rabble. Dispense them at once or
be prepared to face a court martial"
The captain marched his ninety men
up to the breastworks and met a fire
that laid low half Of them. The rest
fled to the rear. There they met the
colonel, who sat on bis horse scoWling
at them. Rallying them, he was about
to lead them forward when the cap
tain cautioned him.
Colonel" he said, Il fear a portion
Of their force have marched around the
square and will take us i'll the rear.
There are not SO many of them behind
their ba1ricade as there were, and their
flag is gone"
Cali the more reason why they should
be DISPERSED" the colonel growled and
gave the order to advance. The men
were about to obey when a shot was
fired down the street from an opposite
direction. All turned and saw q 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 lis order was ignored. The fifty
men he commanded knew they were no
match for ten times their number on
both sides Of them. The reyolutionists
by order Of their commander, he who
bore the flag, halted, drew up in line
with something Of he 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
Zariski and the man who had ordered
him to be shot for lowering the flag of
Russia stood face to face.
Colonel" said Zariski, 'the last time
I saw YOU you called me coward II
1t was cowardly to throw down the
flag Of n nation l detest and hate. then
am I q coward. | was not Il Russian,
but q Pole made to serve against my
will. My ancestors fought under the
kings Of Poland. my grandfather in the
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