Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-08-05
A SINGULAR J.
CUSTOM
And How II Was Illustrated
by a Russian Countess
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

VVV>%%%@V@~%~~
A ball was in progress in the Winter
palace at St Petersburg. There were
few persons in the respondent throng
who were not titled, and in Russia
even a prince cannot hold his position
in the court circle without complying
with number Of requirements.
Among the few at the ball without the
prefix to the name of count. baron,
duke or even general, without gold
lace or string of decorations on the
breast, but in plain black evening
dress, was Adelbert Wyman, an at
tache to the American legation.
II Wyman was bereft Of artificial
plumage nature had endowed him with
an attractive personality. He was
finely built, being tall and proportioned
for an athlete, while his countenance
bespoke a manly spirit within. Hav-
ing inherited a fortune and work not
being a necessity with him, he had
adopted a profession in which money
making had no part and which to him
seemed full of interest-diplomacy
Wyman had prepared himself for
his career by the study Of international
law and more especially Of several for
eign languages, Russian among the
number. He was therefore enabled to
chat in her native tongue with young
Russian girl, with whom he danced
several times at this imperial ball The
Countess Olga Ivanovna was one of
those women Of the north whose COM
pleXions are fair, whose eyes are blue
and whose hair is f1axen. NotWith-
standing the fact that she was noble
and her companion was a commoner,
she seemed to be pleased with him.
Indeed, there was something unique in
that unadOrned figure among hundreds
of men most of whom relied for ad-
miration on their velvet clothes, tinsel
and the medals strung on their breasts.
Some Of them were misshapen, some
had homely faces, and all were dress
ed as if for play. Wyman alone was
unadorned.
"How do you like Russia p asked the
countess. All visitors are asked this
question and If they are well bred
usually reply that they like the coun-
try they visit very much. Wyman's
reply was that the country interested
him. When asked why, he said that it
was in the marked difference to what
he had been accustomed
'1n what way?" asked the girl.
First, with you Russians everything
points from the people to the govern
ment, while with us everything points
from the government to the people. In
other words, here the people seem to
be for the government, while with us
our government is for the people. But
it Is the many singular customs in
the different parts OF your great en-
pire that especially interest me, the
pronounced varied types of your peo-
pie. / have read that in a certain
province dowryless girls are ratified for
as wives, the money paid in for chances
being given for marriage portion"
''There is a more singular custom
than that" added the countess. I'm
a certain part of Russia the girls pro-
pose to the men. If a girl wants to
marry man she goes to his house. If
he refuses to marry her he is regard
ed as insulting her and her family, and
they take revenge upon him."
''rhe privilege Of proposing mar
riage," said Wyman, accorded to the
man is mere custom. For my part l
see no reason why woman should not
be as free to ask man to marry her
as that man is free to ask her to be
his wife,"
do you really mean thatT' asked
the countess. looking up at Wyman
archly.
81 certainly do. But you must not
take me in that respect as representing
my countrymen. I like to think for
myself and am not a slave to Gus
TOMS"
The two parted at this point, but just
before the ball closed they met again
1--WE go next week to our home in the
province of Viatka," she said. If you
will make us a visit there ! think
can show you some more Of our ode
customs. The people about Us have
some very singular ones"
II assure you feel highly honorei
by the invitation and shall accept i
with much pleasure"
In time Wyman received a formal In
vitation to visit Count Ivan Ivan
ovnas estates in Viatka. A time wa
set for his coming, but none for hi
departure. This surprised him, for
is usual among most entertainers u
high life all over the world to tnvit
their guests for definite period. Th
American was cordially received b.
the young lady's family and suit o
rooms placed at his disposal. He ha
not before met any OF them excep
Olga, and he seemed to be considere
her especial guest. At any rate, sh
took upon herself his entertainment
driving him about herself, showing hiI
the people. how they lived, how the
worked and how they reared their chi
dren Wyman was much interested i
it all and more especially in the fgnc
rance of not only the children, but Q
obo;u fS