Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-11-01
the horse is still in use as in days gone

The Russian horse is beautiful ami
NAL Although the war has taken a
great number of them, there are still
some fine specimens left-tall, rangy,
and round bodied with heavy name and
tail almost touching the ground. The
Russian is a hard driver and as you
walk along and watch them go by on
the Nevsky this street takes on some
what the appearance of race course
The Russian cabby is being entirely
void of ambition, who never had any
thing in the past, does not expect to
have anything in the past, does not ex-
pect to have anything in the future, and
for the present is perfectly contented.,
When you see one you see them all SO
far as general characteristics and ap-
pearance is concerned. His uniform
consists of long blue overcoat, which
is heavily padded to keep out the cold
and in fact also to keep out the heat, as
the some coat is worn in all seasons.
Around his waist he wears wide red
girdle, his hat has very high crown
something on the order of stovepipe
or top hat. He pushes this hat way
down over his ears, just leaving room
to see out It is safe bet this man
has never INDUCED in a shave, haircut
or bath in his life.
The average American here can
speak enough Of the language to tell
this fellow where he wants to go, but
he is obliged to resort to the deaf and
dumb code in arranging the amount OF
fare to be paid. The cabby will always
ask nearly twice as much as he expects
to receive, and the more you are able
to beat him down in price the better
he likes it.
The greater part of the Russians
wear uniforms; even though he may
occupy a very humble position, there
is a uniform that goes with it. The
poor fellow who does not happen to
have a uniform is truly unfortunate, as
be is not respected by anyone. A boy
cannot 60 to school without he wears
uniform After he has finished with
his schooling he still wears it but has
some mark engraved on the brass but
tons to designate the line Of work
which he has chosen to follow.
On account of the scarcity of food,
people were obliged to stand in line and
await their turn to get into bake shop
where limited amount of bread was
given out every day. One pound of
bread per day was allowed each person,
and this meager allowance was on
some days reduced to three quarters Of
a pound. 1t was common sight to
see people getting in line before gro
Gerry store in the evening although the
store would not be open until eight or
nine o'clock the following morning.
When they got tired standing, they sat
on the sidewalk, or if sleepy they lay
there stretched out full length. A per-
son can have little sympathy for the
ones who are waiting in line for bread,
but when you see almost as many lined
up awaiting a chance to buy tobacco Or
cigarettes you take a different view.
Buying pair of shoes is ordinarily a
simple task accomplished in few min-
utes time, but supposing that you had
to stand in line for four or five hours
waiting a chance to get into store
where they are handing out tickets for
shoes. just tickets remember. Now
then in week or ten days you may re-
turn to this place, stand in line again
and finally you succeed in getting into
a store where they are actually selling
shoes, the price ranging from $15 to
$40 per pair.
(TO BE CONTINUED).