Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-05
LETTER FROM RUSSIAN FRoNr.
Norman Rscsivss 500 Missfvss Fron
Soldiers Whom She Aided.

Norman Rscstvss 500 Misstvss From
Soldiers Whom She Aided.
Correspondence Of Associated PreSs.)
Petrograd. April 20-More than three
hundred letters from Russian. soldiers
have reached q prominent Petrogfad
woman in response to note which she
enclosed in q large number Of hampers
of food which she sent to the front .
| few weeks ago. She had expressed Q
desire to get some letters from the front
which would show what tho ordinary
Russian soldier really thought. instead
Of the stereotyped letters OF thanks
with which the soldiers ordinarily ac-
knowledged gifts from persons Of high
err social station. Accordingly she
signed the notes which she enclosed
with the names Of her three maid-ser-
wants, making It appear as II these
young women had slipped the notes
into the hampers surreptitiously. The
receivers were asked to reply to these
maid-servants and to tell them how
they were faring In the war.
The plan worked we'll. Fifty Of the
replies are to be published in book
form shortly. Several soldiers replies
in verse. Several made love in pretty.
fanciful style Only one letter out Of
the whole number was offensive
A Cossack sent the following PEN
picture Of himself
Il want to tell you what Cossack
looks like He is not handsome. no. in
deed! Yet he looks like an eagle, and
whether the foe he meets be German
or Austrian. he will beat him like an
eagle. A Cossack IL small, but grave.
Small is the grain Of gold. yet Of great
value. So is the Cossack. in his gray
coat and waist held tightly in leath-
er belt. However hot the firing, he will
not drop his gun, but will ride his
brave horse and arrive in time. where's
ever he may be sent"
A scout tells Of Q reconnaissance from
which he has just returned. the moon
shining as clear as II It were daylight
and the Germans firing at us constant
ly and doing US much harm" He adds:
Let my letter fly from the German
land to the metropolitan town. bow
to you, sister Katinka. am q hero
from the River Don. fighting for Our
religion and our country. You and
your friends listen to the holy bells
calling the Christians to service. We
here hear only the roar Of the cannon
and the rattle Of the German machine
guns"
From Orenburg comes prettily
worded appeal for = pair Of trousers:
my dear friend Katia-I hasten to In
form you that am in good health and
all is flourishing with me- am well.
and my horse is well. and for you
wish the same good health, and accept
my deep devotion, and let me bow to
you. Against my will. tears coursed
down my. cheeks as read your letter.
u have a humble request to make OF
you. I do not ask for tobacco. for !
do not smoke. But, II such be your
kindness. pray send me an old pair Of
riding trousers. Of which I am very
much in need. II you have divine
spark Of love for the soldiers who are
defending their country. do not refuse
what ask"
One of the letters in poetry Is rough
~ translated as follows :.
Greetings from all tho hero soldiers!
We shall end the war in glory
For the Russian colors.
And thru the streets Of Berlin
shail march the Russian regiments
With the Giant at their head"
The Giant Is q favorite soldiers name
for the Grand Duke Nicholas.