Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-05
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n,ission of the Car enlists in an in
fantry regiment.
AND HERE IT CONTINUES
r WAS an apt student and learned al.
most to anticipate the orders OF the
instructor. When the days labors
would be completed and the soldiers
gathered into knots to while away an
hour or two in games or storytelling,
was always sought after TO particl.
pate. came TO like the soldiers, who
were good.natured boys, and to enjoy
their sports. The group which Yashka
Joined would usually prove the most
popular in the barracks, and it was
sufficient TO secure my cooperation in
some enterprise 10 make It success.
There wasn't much time for relax
alton, though, as we went through an
intensive training course OF only three
months before we we're sent to the
front. Once a week, every Sunday, I
would leave the barracks and spend
the day at home, my mother having
reconciled herself TO my soldering. On
holidays I would be visited by friends
or relatives. On one such occasion
my sister and her husband called. I
had been detailed for guard duty in
the barracks that day. While on such
duty a soldier is forbidden to sit down
or to engage in conversation. l was
entertaining my visitors when the
company commander passed.
do you know the rules, Botch.
kareva?" he asked.
Yes, Your Excellency," I answered
What are they"
"A soldier on guard duty is not al
lowed to sit down or engage in con-
versation," | replied. He ordered mo
to stand for two hours at attention at
the completion OF my guard duty.
which took twenty-four hours. Stand
ing at attention, in full military equip
ment, for two hours is a severe task,
as one has to remain absolutely
motionless under the eyes of a guard,
and yet it was a common punishment.
During my training l was punished
in this manner three times. The second
time II was really not my fault. One
night I recognized my squad COM
mander in a soldier who annoyed me,
and I dealt him as hard a blow as
would have given TO any other man.
In the morning he placed me at atten-
tion for two hours, claiming that he
had accidentally brushed against me.
At first there was some difficulty in
arranging for my bathing. The bath
house was used by the men, and so I
was allowed one day to visit a public
bathhouse. l found it a splendid op-
portunity for some fun. came into
the women's room, fully dressed, and
there was a tremendous outbreak as
soon as l appeared. was taken for a
man. However, the fun did not last
long. In an instant I was under a
bombardment from every corner, and
only narrowly escaped serious injury
by crying out that was a woman.
n In the last month OF our training
We engaged in almost continuous rife
practice. I applied myself jealousy
to the acquisition OF skill in handling
a rife and won a mention of excellence
for good Workmanship. This con
siderably enhanced my standing witt
the soldiers and strengthened our rela
tions OF comradery.
rhedate of our departure was set
We received complete new outfits.
was permitted to so home to spenC
the last night and it was night o.
tears and sobs and yearnings. TIL,
three months I had spent in Tomsl
as soldier were, after all, rcmot,
from war. But now / felt so neal
to that great experience, and it awe
me. l prayed to God to give me cour
age for the new trials that were be
fore me, courage to live and die lik
a man.
There was great excitement in tn
barracks the following morning. |
was the last that we were to spen,
there. In full martial equipment W
marched to the Cathedral, where W
were sworn in again. There was a sol
emn service. The church was file
with people, and there was an enor
NOUS crowd outside. The Bishop ad
dressed us. He spoke Of how the cour
try was attacked by an enemy VIII
sought 10 destroy Russia, and al
pealed to us to defend gloriously tn
Gar and the motherland. lie praye
for victory for our arms and blesse
us.
There was spiritual unheavs
among the men. We were all s
buoysnt. SO happy, so forgetful of ou
own lives and interests. The whol
city poured out to accompany US I
tina station, and we were cheered an
crested all along the route. ha
s1sver yet seen body of men in sue
Nth spirits as we were that Febr'
NY morning. Woe to the German
that might have encountered US ths
dayt such was Russia going to wa
/ in those first months OF the struggl
Hundreds Of regiments like our ow
we're streaming from east north an
south to tho battlehelds. 1t was a
Inspiring. elevating. imperishable spe'
<kcIe.
NY mother felt none OF the el
nl&ations that moved me. She Wake
along the street. beside my line. weel
- unoal ling 10 the Holy Mother an