Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25
RUSSIAN GRATITUDE
It Means Money, Given for
Purposes of Bribery.
METHOD IS A SIMPLE ONE
Say "I'n Be Grateful" and Under
standing Is Complete.
HONEST MAN HAS SPASMS
When Subordinates Attempted to
Explain System Of Gratitude"
He Lost Temper.
HONEST MAN HAS SPASMS
Foreign Correspondence Of The Star.

ForelEn correspondence OF Inc STAR.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 9. 1911.
Gratitude" is the official term for a
bride In Russia. If you ask an official
public or private. for a favor or a right.
adding land / will be grateful to YOU"
| the understanding between you is COM
plete.
There was an incorruptible fool" who
was appointed chief of department In
Odessa He was an impulsive, passionate.
but good-hearted man, and he said to his
subordinates on his arrival: Come to
me at any hour Of the day or night and
you shall find me. II you come on bust
ness Of the department. If / get angry
am liable to paroxysms Of anger-bear
with me. Take no notice. The fit will
pass as 1t came. leaving no trace. Above
all else, be frank. Hide nothing. And
please prime me. If there be anything
which you think 1 ought to know, teach
me. l am willing to learn"
Sent to Breach Subject.
Next day the oldest official in the de-
partment entered the room OF the new
chief. He was greeted cordially:
Il am delighted. Sit down. What can
I do for your
MY colleagues have sent me Your
words yesterday encouraged US to be
be frank with you. There are things you
| ought to know and be familiar with.
| And my comrades thought that perhaps
/ could unfold them to you"
Yes, / see. Well, l am rather pressed
| for time just now, but what is the sub
ject?"
our methods Of receiving gratitude diff
4 fer FROM
What? How dare you. an official
| of the crown!"
There are two kinds of gratitude, the
negative gratitude which we receive at
| stated periods not for doing anything In
particular. but for what might be
termed"
Go to Hades! Begone out OF my sight
l will report you! You-you-!
their sockets, his face was scarlet; he
trembled in every limb. and his language
was picturesque to q shocking extent
Another Man Tried It.
Next morning the same official sough,
out the new chief. sat down beside him
and with a bland smile began:
Il am glad to see your excellency look
so we'll this morning. l have come to
explain to you our ways as to gratitude
There are two kinds Of gratitude; the
specific, for a partic-"
! 'Pu commit some crime II you dom,
get out of my sight. Shut up this min
ute or else
| The subordinate retired with dignity
| Next day a different official took VI
| the threads where the first had left then
and began to discourse upon gratitude
and what percentage Of 1t would belong
to the chief. The latter fumed ant
foamed at the mouth. but the would-be
1 mentor said feelingly:
I'VE are sorry for your excellency. bu
we hope the paroxysms will soon abate
| Our patience never will OF that vol
may be quite sure. We are grateful to
| Don't make me mad" roared his ex
cellency. Il repel your gratitude with
| loathing. Leave the room!'
/ The upshOt of 1t was that the new
| chief finding life not worth living under
/ the circumstances. got transferred. Hi.
subordinates' sense of gratitude" is still
| as developed ever.