Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-09-17
THE SOUTH RUSSIANS
spris ishtliest and Most steadfast OF the
Cars Subjects.

Cars Subjects.
The South Russians. or the people OF
Little Russia, from among whom the
colossal Muscovite empire draws some
of its bravest, steadiest fighting men,
are a people distinguished for their
contradictory characteristics in a land
that is a puzzle Of contributions. The
South Russians, the toughest fiber
Of the Russian armies, are q people
full Of interest, Of quaint PHILOSOPHERS,
and Of pleasant ways. according TO q
bulletin just issued by the National
Geog raphic society. The sketch reads:
Between Central and South Rus
sians the contrast Is as strong as
between the Prussian and the Bava-
riar. AS in Germany. the vigor or the
Tsa.rs mighty empire Is more sharply
expr assed in the north than In the
south. and yet in the case Of both en-
pirea much Of the national strength
and energy are furnished by the south
Russian life is sprightly in the south.
In the north it Is sullen, monotonous,
oppressive. In the southland, too,
there Is a far greater display Of we'll
being and comfort. The northern peas
ant lives in colorless villages, in gray
ish- brown thatched houses built OF
logs, which are stretched along unsan-
itary streets, redolent with the accu-
mutations Of carelessness. Around
these hor ses, there are almost never
any signs that their occupants are
making homes-there are no efforts to-
ward gracing improvements. The roads
are mostly just ground left between
two rows Of houses; the yards are just
ground left bare around them.
The South Russian builds his home
and orders his village, in the rule,
picturesque and inviting. There are
gardens before the door, and orchards
round about, and the houses Of the
village are painted white or pale
green. Porches, balconies. glass and
vine covered verandas relieve the
architectural uniformity. There IL
cleanliness, gaiety and softer manners
in the south to tempt the friendly
judgment Of the stranger.
The people Of central Russia con-
fess that they are often more harsh
and more neglectful Of appearance
than they Of the south, but, also, they
claim, that the northern Russians are
more faithful, consistent, sturdy and
more tender than their brothers in
Little Russia. North and south, east
and west, all agree that in South Rus
sia true laziness may be- found in un-
surpassed expression. 1t Is said that
the indolent South Russian will say to
his wife, Little wife, say whoa to my
horse; I have pain in my tongue"
Otherwise the South Russian has
become more like the westerners. He
dresses as the German or the English
man, and he more often takes an in
terest in the world without than the
peasant Of the north. He Is better
nourished, better educated, and, pos
sibly, a trifie less religious. He Is also
puTeT SldfOHlC 1000 hiShehii-
choly. Finnish is in his blood-and his
dialect is strongly marked.
He runs more to ornament, more to
bright colors to singing and to story
telling than does his northern COM
patriot He Is an unabashed and all
inquisitive questioner. asking the en-
tire stranger whether the stone In his
scarf pin is genuine or not, how much
his neckwear cost, what his religion
is, and other things somewhat per-
sonal and unexpected. But he is gen.
orally willing to be as free and frank
himself as he demands. Lazy, the
Little Russian is vigorous and success
full; Of elastic, friendly temperament,
he is an unpeered fighter; argumenta-
tive at all times, about all things. he
is clannish and patriot; and stay
at home, he is, yet. burning with in
terest for all that goes on in the world
beside.