The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-06-27


Following Immediately after these
came a company of singers, men and
boys; and, covering nearly a mile in
length, appeared a motley assemblage
of peasants-men, women and children
all pressing eagerly forward until
the vast court, the terrace and steps
were densely packed, while as many
as could gain admittance crowded
through the open doors into the hall.
until, from dread of accident, these
we're shut. The sacred image being
now in place, just back of the hastily
devised altar, the service commenced.
After the usual prayer of the Rus
sian church, all came forward in turn
=" receive the priests benedictiOn, in
the bestowing Of which the prelate
touched each person lightly upon the
1orenead with small leafy twig that
had been dipped in holy water. Dur
ing this part of the ceremony the
doors were reOpened and three OF four
| sick persons from the neighboring
dstchas and peasant cottages were car
cetwe blessing in the proximity Of
this deeply revered image, while to
others who were too ill to be borne
thfther tiny vials containing holy
water which had been blessed before
it, were dispatched.
| The ceremony concluded, the image
was again placed upon the species Of
Hitter raised to the bearers shoulders
and the crowd pushed back upon either
side to allow of its egress. At this
moment our hostess turned, and, TAX
ing by the hand one who stood beside
me, drew him forward, when, with her
husband, they knelt upon the marble
floor and the bearers passing outward
upon either side of them carried the
sacred image directly above the three
bended heads, this being said to con-
fer most special and peculiar blessings.
In all Russian country places Of any
size whatever, there are quantities of
horses, for If the roads are, as a rule,
bad, the distances are very great, and
neighborly visit means, more often
than not, an all-day affair, while the
post Office demands frequently a drive
of from two to three hours. At the
country places now in question the
number of these animals far exceeded
the ordinary, our host being the owner
In the government of Youla of one Of
the largest stock farms in Russia:
hence the young horses were sent here
to be trained and broken for use, many
Of them bearing off prizes later. at the
great annual races in Moscow, races
which we're especially instituted for
the development and improvement Of
the native breed OF horses.
Russian women Of all classes do, as
a rule, very beautiful needlework,
while the embroidery and lacemaking
of the peasant classes are known the
world over.
The women of the middle classes are
most excellent housewives, few Sc
crets of the culinary art-especially in
regard to the making Of sweetmeats
I-being unknown to them. In the
Weather circles this care is left en-
tirely to the housekeeper, who is usu-
ally either a person born and bred in
the family-for life is still very partri.
archal there and in many families the
servitors live on from generation to
generation-or a former governess,
who having fairly launched her charge
into the great sea of life remains on
as general manager of the households
affairs as long as her strength holds
out. Should this fail her. she is
thoughtfully tended and cared for un-
til God calls her hence, for never have
seen an old servitor of any kind
turned adrift in Russia because Of
having become disqualified for serv-
ice. In fact, there is scarcely a Rus
sian household that does not support
a quantity of aged pensioners, who
appear on every fete day and, after
wishing the family happiness and par
taking of bounteous meal invariably
leave again richer by some kindly gift
of remembrance.
S. DE MEISSNER.