The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-09-25
FEAST FOR DEGGARS.
Russian Tramp King EmuIated
Chicago's Hobo Banquet.
JUBILEE HELD IN A CEMETERY
sumptuous Repast Laid on Gravestones
In st. Petersburg-PIsnty to Drink,
but No Drunkenness or Unseen1ly
Noise-cost Estimated at $500.

Noise-Cost Estimated at $500.
From faroff Chicago there came to
st. Petersburg the capital OF all the
Russias, the tale of the great banquet
to American tramps and beggars,
writes a ST. Petersburg correspondent
of the New York Press. No doubt the
gayety and magnifcence of DR.. Reit-
mans spread TO hOboes were much dis
torted when the story reached the ears
of Russian beggars. Yet It made an
| impression, and especially on Ivan
Stepanon, the king of Russian beg
gars. Ivan the other day celebrate
the thirty-fifth anniversary of his rule
This king of the underworld was
most anxious TO celebrate the event in
an up TO date manner, and so the mo-
ment he heard of the Chicago feast he
decided that he would follow suit and
give gorgeous banquet.
Those familiar with Russia and
Russian life know that one of the fea-
lures of the land is the army Of beg
gars. There is no charity organiza-
ton society to bother, and the police
are friendly-sO friendly, in fact. that
there is a probability that the beggars
either pay goodly percentage or buy
outright from the police their numer-
Gus stands in the streets of the cities.
Ivan StepanOff is a man of sixty--a
tall. well built man with white hair
and beard. having more the appear
ance of a well to do artisan or minor
official than beggar. Yet he has
piled his trade" for good thirty-five
years and always at the same stand.
the largest and most fashionable Gem
etery of st. Petersburg, situated in the
suburb OF KOlomna. Here he is one
of the most noted figures, dressed in
picturesque rags. He has soft voice.
an engaging manner, and with visitors
and sightseers as well as mourners he
is success in soliciting aims for him
self his poor" wife and starving"
children.
As matter of fact, which the po-
lice, but not the public, is aware of, his
wife wears valuable furs and dia.
mOnds; one of his daughters is mar
ceiyed a large dot" and his two sons
are students at the Lycee and may
shortly gain well paid positions in the
official service.
The police, but not the public, also
know that the very handsome villa
inclosed by a large and we'll kept gar
den situated in the KolOmna suburb Is
ktnna hot ho e
himself The menage is a luxurious
one, and the beggar has his servants
and his trOtters Just as If he were a
noble or wealthy merchant.
SO much for the king Of beggars.
For his anniversary he decided to fol-
low the idea of the Chicago banquet
yet even on grander scale. He caused
invitations to be sent broadcast TO the
beggars, tramps and miscellaneous ho-
bOes of st. Petersburg. The banquet
hall was the cemetery, the home of his
exploits.
The police, strange to say. raised no
objections to the jubilee I'm the grave
yard. They allowed the caterers wag
ons to unload huge piles of eatables
with bottles of strong vodka They |
allowed the guests-the queerest as
semblage in the city-to gather TO the |
of a round thousand, and, fur |
thermOre. they raised no objections to |
the graves and gravestOnes being used |
as tables. On each gravestone was |
laid a sumptuOus repast, with its prop |
Of
A dozen or more of the strange guests |
gathered round each grave, depending |
on its size, and there Toasted. Ivan
himself presided at one of the central |
graves, a great mausoleum. the fam
lily vault of prince. During the feast
he also visited and drank his toast at
others Of the tOmbs.
This strange scene continued from
noon throughout the evening until
came the time for the cemetery TO be
closed for the night. There was no I'M
seemly noise. Each party of junketers
had its own merrment: but, although
the vodka was plentiful. there were no
drunkards and no rowdies in the crowd
Ivan StepanOff announced early i'm
the festivities he would abstain from
strangers for aims for
that day, the first day in thlrty-five
years in which he had not attended to
his business.
Toward closing time Stepanoff mar
shaled his guests in small parties and
conducted them to the gates. From
there they vanished to their holes.
1t is estimated that the celebration
cost the king of beggars fully $500.
But he is plying his trade more vigor-
Ously than ever and may soon make
up this.
Although this is the first beggars' ban
luet in Russia, there are now likely to
De others. Chicago has evidently sowed a.,
! seed which promises to be fruitful.
Solariums Now the Fad.
at is quite fad now" said an archi
tect to a correspondent of the New