SWEEPING THE STREETS.—A RUSSIAN ADVENTURE.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 671, 7 May 1870, Page 4

SWEEPING THE STREETS.— A RUSSIAN ADVENTURE.

[western temperance herald.] I have found that teetotallers are interested in knowing why I became one of their number. Therefore, as the circumstances which led me to adopt their principles was a some«vhat remarkable one, I have the pleasure of satisfying their curiosity by the following narration. Ten years ago, when I was throe and twenty, I was tutor in the family of Lieut. -Colonel Polinczko, a Russian gentleman, at St. Petersburg. It is the custom in Russia to obtain military titles by paying certain sums of money, or as rewards for services performed to the Government. My patron was a little, inoffensive individual, who would have fainted away by the mere sound of a gun ; and yet whenever he appeared in the fashionable society of the capital, he was certain to be introduced .and addressed as "lieutenant-colonel." He also wore a uniform indoors and out ; and 1 have occasionally seen Mm with a sword, but this was of rare occurrence, as he was always getting it between his legs, and tripping himself up. My duty was to instruct in English the four youthful sons of this valorous personage, the eldest of whom sixteen years of age, had already attained to' the title of Captain Polinczko ! I passed my time pretty comfortably with them ; they were quick and anxious to learn ; but I was constantly getting into trouble with the Lieutenant-Colonel through my indulging too freely in the wine bottle. Several tunes 1 had nearly lost my situation in consequence of this, and had only regained it on promise of better behaviour for the future. . It was in December, a week before Christmas, and I, with the Lt. -Colonel and his family, had been invited to a party at the house of General Verasif, whose experience in generalship, however, had never extended beyond the limits of his own household. "Now mind, Mr Southey," said the valiant LieutenantColonel, in his weak voice, "that you are mod.GcsAe m jour glass to-night." ''And don't get taken up drunk by the police or you'll have to sweep the streets tomorrow," chimed in the officious Captain Polinezko. The idea of a tutor having to " sweep the streets" was so rich as to send all the Polinczkos, including the Lieu-tenant-General into fits of laughter. I had been sufficiently long in St. Petersburg to understand the meaning of the allusion made. It was the custom in Russia for those picked up by the police to be compelled to sweep the streets the next day for a specified time. No position or rank would suffice for an exemption from this rale, as I shall show in the sequel. The party was a gay one at the General's. You would imagine you were in the company of all the great heroes of the universe, to have judged by the highsounding titles you heard there. By the time the party broke up, however, half the generals and colonels were in a state of intoxication. Your humblo servant was amonSst them. When I got into the open air some one seized me by the arm, and said, " Shall I assist you home, Mr Southey?" Before I could manage to articulate an acceptance of the proffered assistance, 1 was dragged along at a fearful pace by my tormentor, whom I now recognised to dp Captain Polinczko'. So completely was my breath taken away by this treatment, that I could offer no resistance, until my foot suddenly tripped

against a stone, and I was precipitated at ray full length on a slimy substance, composed of snow, dirt, and water. No one offered to assist me up again. 1 heard the retreating footsteps of the treacherous Capt. Polinczko, and something very like suppressed laughter. I might have remained there all night — for 1 could not help myself — but at last a lantern flashed before my eyes, and a strong arm raised me from i the ground. I found myself in the custody of the Russian police, a stalwart fellow, completely wrapped -up in furs. Notwithstanding my entreaties, offers of bribes, and incoherent affirmations of being "perfectly sober," he insisted on my accompanying him to the most miserable and filthy gaol that I have ever seen. The place was alive with rats, and the floor half-flooded. I passed a wretched night, and felt quite grateful when I was summoned in the morning by my gaoler, and brought before the Gubernator. He briefly informed me that in consequence of my being taken up drunk the previous night, I should have to sweep the streets from nine till one o'clock. This agreeable announcement having been made, I was provided with a broom, and a light chain was fastened to my leg. I was then led through the public streets, dragging my broom after me, my whole appearance showing what had placed me in this absurd position, and subject to the gaze of the grinning bystanders. I presently came upon a group of compulsory street sweepers, who were hard at work, and whose example I had to follow. My companions were of all positions in life, from the highest to the lowest. There were two or three mujiks (the lowest class in Russia), but the greater part of the group belonged to wealthy families, boasting the most lofty titles, and all wearing uniforms, which, might have been much improved by a judicious use of the clothes brush. There were even — and this is fact — two ladies amonst them. Drunkenness in Russia is as common with the women as the men, nor is it considered derogatory to their sex. The snow, or rather slush — for a shower of rain having fallen during the night, it had been changed to that, was a foot deep. This we had to clear away in the Place of St. Isaac. A policeman remained with us the whole of the time, directing our labors, and not allowing us to pause for an instant. I had not been long at work, when who should come sauntering past me, with a cigar in his mouth, but my treacherous ally of the preceding night, Captain Polinczko. "Ah, how do you do, Southey,g' drawled the young rascal coolly, "like your work, eh 1 Healthy, isn't it 1 Capital thing for keeping you warm. Glad I'm not in your shoes, though. Thought, last night, you would want some oue to pick you up ; so I sent the policeman to you. We'll wait dinner for you till you have finished your work." I gave no answer to this speech, although I was boiling over with rage, and plied my broom with savage energy. Another humiliation was in store , for me, however. Soon after my tormentor had walked oif, a carriage drove up, containing Lieutenant-Colonel Polinczko, General Verasif, and several members of their admirable families. They alighted from it, and the whole of them stepped over to where I was sweeping, and insisted on shaking hands with i me. General Verasif then gave me an invitation to dinner at two o'clock, "if I could get away from my work." To all these sarcastic speeches I maintained a sullen silence ; and, after compelling me to shake hands once more, they left me. The four hours, were over at last, aiid I, with my . companions, were permitted to go about our business. I neither went back to dinner at the Lieutenant-Colonel's nor accepted the General's invitation, but dined at my hotel privately. I shall not attempt to describe the chaff I received for months after. My adventure, however, had cured me of my intemperate habits, for I signed the pledge that very day. So that I gained something by my compulsory street sweeping on that cold December morning.