St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-07-13

green fields and low stone fences As
they drew nearer sound, as of the
droning of gigantic beehive, was
distinctly audible. Now half a dozen
priests, in their cloth-of-gold vest
ments, entered the gate, followed by
a score or more of lusty peasants who
were bearing aloft, supported upon two
long horizontal poles, the image. Tbs
was a very ancient life-sized painting
of the virgin and Holy Child, but as
they so carried it it was concealed
from the vulgar gaze by curtain of
dark red silk.
Following Immediately after these
came company of singers, men and
boys; and, covering nearly 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
were 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
IN receive the priests benediction, in
the bestowing of which the prelate
touched each person lightly upon the
torenead with a small leafy tWlg that
had been dipped in holy water. Dur"
ing this part of the ceremony the
doors were reopened and three or four
sick persons from the neighboring
datchas and peasant cottages were car
ried in, in order that they might re-
ceive blessing in the proximity OF
this deeply revered image, while to
others who were too i'll to be borne
thither tiny walls containing holy
water which had been blessed before
it, were dispatched.
The ceremony concluded, the image
was again placed upon the species OF
litter, raised to the bearers shoulders
and the crowd pushed back upon either
side to allow of its egress. At this
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
Bonded 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 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 were especially instituted for
the development and improvement OF
the native breed of horses.
Russian women of all classes do, as
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
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 former governess,
who having fairly launched her charge
into. the great sea of life remains on
an general manages of the households
affairs as long as her strength holds
out. Should this fail her she is
thoughtfully tended and cared for I'M
| til God calls her hence, for never have
I seen an old servitor Of any kind
turned adrift in Russia because of
having become disqualified for sery'
ice In fact, there is scarcely 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
| inv vi h
leave again richer by some kindly gift
Of remembrance.
S. DE MEISSNER.