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18^3 poma w Ï erv M ■m mm mm <a . ' mmK* sc Ayr ce .jiS urtzir > ;-,4, , V H «, , ,*>V A, y< 4 . , , ■■ 2. V > * fats*** * v Wj**_£* ' . 'f? i';; t/tAT/Ctäi. 3RZA3&A1Y wan&sr&lzwäY hzmgteô I II By LIEUTENANT NORTON C. TRAVIS In Philadelphia Public Ledger. USSIA'S women, alone, stand today shoulder to shoulder with men. They occupy, indeed, a place higher than that of men of their own nation, for the spotlight of the world is turned upon them. In the scales of blind Justice, where are balanced autocracy or democracy for Russia, it is the Rus sian woman who turns the balance for freedom. Russian women soldiers, virtually untrained and unofficered, drove back the Germans in their first trial of fire. For eighteen da*ys I was quartered in the first line of trenches with 2,500 of these Russian women warriors. I studied them at close quarters—there are no more Intrepid soldiers in all this world than were those women of a divided and bewildered nation. The Battalion of Death is no more. They were wiped,out by Germun shells and German bayonets, and only four wounded survivors remain of 200 who fought through hell fire to shame the men of Bussla into a sense of patriotic duty. To lack of training and of officers is ascribed the annihilation of this first battalion of women warriors in the modern world. They failed In their object—the stimulating of compatriots to defense of their country. That free Russia fears the power of women Is Indicated by the fact that those who were connect ed with the Imperial circle of the former court are confined in the prison of Peter and Paul, guarded by barriers of water as well as by walls of stone, ^ while minor offenders have been banished from Petrograd. The Russian woman warrior is the product of ■outdoor life and simple, wholesome food. In the ranks one finds the majority of soldiers from the upper class of Russian society, and by their sides are serfs and peasants accustomed to working in the fields of Siberia and Russia with the men of »their households. Ladies of Russia are noted for their proficiency In outdoor games and sports ; they are great walk ers, skaters, horseback riders and devotees to sledding, games that require vigor and furnish ex citement, and to their summer antf winter carni vals and pageants, which occur Several times a year. _ At these times it is their pleasure to in dulge In native folk dances, and dancing on the ice is a pastime to which they are devoted, and to Which, I believe, they owe much of their muscular development and rapidity and ease of action. The life of the Russian woman has bred her to war's service; she does not care for afternoon teas or any form of Indoor amusement during the daytime. Instead you will find her engaged in active sports ®n the frozen Neva, beside the trolley tracks that link Icebound towns in a chain of gay activity, even piore bustling than when boats ply the river In summer and fetch and carry between Russia's capital and the Neva's outlying villages. And now you will find women at the switches along the shining miles of ice-floored single track of the Neva's winter trolley lines. In singular contrast to the sturdy, muscular build of Russian women, stocky of form and short of stature, are Russian men of the upper class, who, when they acquire refinement and high-breeding, seem, hlso, to become weak and effeminate. Not only in trench work, but in the ordinary avo cations of men one now finds Russian women. Street-car conductors and motorwomen handle the traffic with efficiency. Conductors call out the •streets, and from the second belt on the man's coat that tops their blue skirts, they draw checks of N ving colors and hand them out in receipt of These colors represent from one to five -d also indicate the distance a passenger 6J '' a!! \*-avel. One fare now costs fifteen ko to Josepn o an( j j ia]f cents Under ordinary worker, v f teen fc 0 p ec g s were worth five cents. Cane, ~^ ' a half cents is a lot of money in Rus has deep r , .. e ot p er j iaru l, while women fill , ' ', ~ J street cars, there are still the dog's a good mQtortrucks lnS "so Cane ran for the dog à the driving of aiüongTnicVts aiùl motorcar*"! ry boat Chicago was just pulling c j She was only a yard or two away wh ^ ^ the dog reached the I" h "«t andfr a wound - betweên leaping for the b ° at "J L ;iy has the andthe 2 ,S^^ ,,u ' - fiances are sary, the boat drew the .«, u «:» «»« Seeing the animali s pH Ißh t. 1the ^ iQ backed up. A deckhand lassoed the i watch*» When noose. A crowd gathered an the Ice. After desperate effortsje of pawed at it, vainly try in,, j, kitchens dropped between the pi ' * ' ,J..oread, made Cllmbing*with great difficulty the big dog to his shoulders a^e meat and boat and*shore, slowly retrac Horges flro The dog was taken to the 0 ^ furnlgh .await his owner On-ius collar t e re d tQ "T. N. Planter, Hotel Bristol, 1 at The dog was emaciated, ipdic. days. Ef l^VV * •m n Jti&tagæô oFj&mz obtaln a sufficient supply. I should Judge that Russian ponyskin coats, which have often been so popular In America, ought to be cheaper than ever this season if there has been any way of curing and transporting the skins of these glossy coated animals of the steppes. Women's army kitchens are adequately sup plied with horse meat, and from ladies of rank tc serfs the women soldiers have learned how to prepare palatable food. They have also learned not only to draw their field pieces, but actually carry them. All women are enrolled In the infantry division of the army, so that theirs are machine guns, which three or four women can carry together. Some of these guns are light enough to be borne on the shoulders of one woman. While Russians are not good marksmen they are expert at bayonet work, and there Is nothing the Germans fear more than a Russian bayonet en counter, when the sturdy dwarf of the North not only sticks his enemy through, but has an appal ling habit of lifting him up on the bayonet. I saw one victim of this shocking act slide off the keen blade, dead. And if the Germans fear such attacks of unin spired Russian men, they dread the savage charge of fiery Russian women, and when they succeeded in capturing three in battle they tortured them to death by way of satisfying spite against those hundreds of young women who lay slain—martyrs to patriotism. I watched women soldiers dig out their own trenches, where rain or bombardment had caused them to fall in ; pull around their heavy ammuni tion wngons and guns, as well as their field kitch ens, and set up their barbed-wire entanglements. Many of them were noblewomen and wealthy mem bers of the "upper froth'' of Russia; quite a num ber were wives and mothers whose husbands were fighting in another sector on the line; and every one was a volunteer. With courage went cheerfulness. In the midst of the hardships of trench life—and they can scarcely be overestimated—these women sang bal lads and catchy songs as they worked at the busi ness of death. Some played on musical instru ments that they had brought into the trenches, while most of them found time to uttond to the com fort of their pets, especially the battalion mnscots —a parrot and a cat. All were short of clothing—simple as was their uniform. It consisted of a grayish khaki colored material, like washed-out khaki, made In overalls and jumper, with a tight-fitting high collar and belt. They wore the same boots as were used by men, and some had their feet encased in shoes and puttees. One of the chief difficulties in equipping women has been to fit the "upper froth" with boots, and to the rigors of trench life has been added the discomfort and, I fancy, pain of dainty feet in coarse, heavy unaccustomed boots, stand ing often in a mire of mud and water. Women soldiers had shifts of ten days in first line trenches of the enemy, with four hours on and four hours off duty. At the least unusual noise or sudden skirmish the whole 2,500 women were out and in readiness for battle. Every thirty feet in the women's sector stood a "post," or sentry, who fired without ceasing. It was her duty to call out, on occasion, the soldiere who rested in their malodorous dugouts on shelves that protruded from the walls along each side. Mere children were many of these modern Ama zons, for their ages vary from fifteen to thirty-five years, and for ten days on a stretch they had no opportunity to change or remove their clothing. When not fighting or on sentry duty the women rest as best they may in their dugouts, where roar of guns does not penetrate very loudly. No ven tilation reaches these deep burrows under the hills except that at the entrance to the trench, and con ditions are offensive to every sense of comfort and sanitation. Our Red Cross commission sought to remedy some of the worst features of Russian trench life, but modern war is one of unbelievable horrors, not the least of which is the insect pesti lence of the trenches. Every ten days a section of trench is cleaned up and its occupants are stripped, sprnyed with an insect destroyer, brushed down with brooms, given a bath and clean clothes. In singular contrast to the many antiquated methods of battlefield exist ence common in the Russian army are comfortable bath trains provided for the soldiers' fortnightly bath. As the world knows, the Battalion of Death was organized by Madame Vera Butchkareff, who lived in a small Cossack settlement in Siberia at the outbreak of the war. When Madame Butchkareff's husband was killed in battle she formed the Legion of Death, mainly to shame Russian men into ac tion, and partly to relieve the awful suspense and monotony of village life fur from the scene of strife. Therefore, in the original ranks of women warriors were to be found hardy peasants from the vast agricultural region of Siberia, and many such women belong to the present regiments of femi nine soldiers. Far different from their once peaceful, remote lives Is the terrific action of the battlefrout, where instead of distant sparks of stars in quiet skies, they witness clusters of shells shrieking upward, five a minute, and bursting around a moving speck in the heavens—some airplane target for great guns. Timed to explode at 5,000 or 0,000 feet, as j well as the distance of the plane can be gauged, ! the shell turns to fall at the designated height and ; shrapnel sprays the night skies with vivid foun- j tains of flame. In the great Russian upheaval Siberia has deter mined to achieve an independence of its own. I found the people in this vast storehouse of na ture's wealth distinct in type from those in any other part of Russia. They are a mixture of Mon- j gol and Russ; a peculiar young-old folk. Nowhere ; else in the world have I found as strange looking people. The men have a drawn expression and j fixed, staring eyes. Women, too, exhibit this char- j acteristic to a marked degree, and everywhere one i finds the form of youth surmounted by the facial appearance of age. I wondered whether this ex pression proceeded from the squalor of their j meager lives. They are an exceedingly dirty, filthy ( people; ragged for the most part, and with feet ! shod in a sort of straw sandal. With a land of rare agricultural, timber and mineral wealth sur rounding them, they yet wear an appearance of stolid dejection. HAD A GOOD FATHER. The store was crowded with customers when a child walked in and with an important air ap proached the owner of the store, held up a quar ter, and remarked in a high treble: "My father said I could buy anything I wanted for my sup per." "Well, you have good father," said the store keeper. "Yes," replied the kldlet, "and it's me that knows it." DONT BE FOOLISH end buy an imitation, get the original VACHER-BALM. It is better than any of the substi tute "Balms" for quickly relieving Coughs, Colds, Croup, and all kinds of hurts and soreness. Tiie many imitations are proof that it is an unusually good thing. The price is only 25c per .Tar or Tube. Surely it is wortli that to get ri»! of a Cough or Cold, or your child's Croup. If your druggist will not supply you and we have no agent in your lo cality, write for the agency. Every family needs Variier Balm, and we supply samples Free, to start the demand. E. W. VACHER, Inc., New Orleans, La. Adv. The Fighting Spirit. A man at the front win» starts out to take it seriously will lie in the mad house in less than a month, says a re cent writer in Harper's Magazine. But the light-hearted ones, escaping Min nies and Lizzies, may go on indefinite ly. The successful soldier of the trenches never loses an opportunity for happiness. He often develops into a more care free, merry lad than lie was at school ten years before. This light heart in the midst, of danger and trib ulation is our last invincible defense. PROMPT RELIEF. can he found in eases of Colds, Coughs, La Grippe and Headaches by using Laxative Quinidine Tablets. Does not affect the head or stomach. Buy your winter's supply now. Price 25c.—Adv. If to is it, if or or A. B. ---- - ■ 1 ■ —- -------- - ---------------- I W. N. U., MEMPHIS, NO. 9-1918. D. His Recipe. Thyme—IToiln, O'Bese. You're get ting fat. What are you taking for it? O'Bose— Food. Piles Cured In t to 14 Days DromOsts ref und mener If PAZO OINTMENT fails to cure ltchlDi!, Blind. Bleeding or Proirudinu Plies. First application gives relief. 60c. A girl's idea of masculine revenge i when her best beau elopes with he rhuperon. No Raise In Price Of This Great Remedy CASCARAfetf QUININE The standard cold cure for 20 years— In tablet form—safe, sure, no opiates -—cure* cold In 24 bours-grip in 3 days- Money back if it fails. Get the genuine box with Red top and Mr. Hill's picture on it. Costs less, gives more, ssves money. 24 Tablet» for 25c. At Any Drug Store Soothe Your Itching Skin J'C'X With Cuticura ^ c Y Saip 25c. Ointment 2Sc A SOc LUCKY STRIKE CIGARETTE Until this new "smoke* was made you could never have a real Burley tobacco cigarette. It's the best yet. IT'S TOASTED The toasting brings out tho delicious flavor of that fine old Kentucky Burley. You never tasted anything so agreeable — think what roasting does for peanuta WST 10 * Guaranteed by ■> Wdi^wCa't*-' I* 4 American Women No Slackers can giris We can well he proud of our Amerl* and women. In France and _ England women are tak 1Rt!3l ,nr 3§É ing up the work of men resolutely, and have shown their ability to do almost all kinds of work. When it becomes neces sary women will show their worth in countless hops, stores, factories and offices. No one hears them complain of their hard work. These are the days when American men have cause to re spect, love and honor their mothers, wives and sist'TS. ff a woman is borne down l>y tin* weakness and sufferings of wom ankind, she should he helped by a herbal tonic made with glycerin which iias had such uniform success during the past half century. She should he well, instead of sick and suffering; healthy and vigorous, in stead of worn-out and weak; bright eyes, clear skin, rosy cheeks—you wouldn't think it was the same wom an. and it's all due to the use of a few bottles of Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription. All druggists. Tab lets or liquid. Tablets, 60c. What this medicine has done for thousands of delicate women, it will do for you. If you're over-worked and debilitated, it will build you up— If you're borne down with the chronic aches, pains and weaknesses peculiar to your sex, it relieves and cures. It regulates and promotes the proper functions of womanhood. This old î\nd tried Prescription of Dr. Pierce's invigorates the system, purifies the blood, improves digestion, and restores health, flesh and strength. Consult tho specialist nt Dr. Pierce's Invalids' Ho tel, Buffalo, N. Y., for free confidential medical advice or for free book^ ou Women's diseases.—Adv. Pride of Reidsvilïe Smoking Tobacco is the best granulated tobacco that brain* experience and good tobacco can produce. We will supply consumers, retailers and job bers with any amount. If your dealer hasn t it, send $ 1.00 for 24 five cent bags or 3 eight ounce bags delivered by Parcel Post. Satis faction guaranteed. Manufactured since 1872 by ROBT. HARRIS & BRO, Inc. REIDSVILLE, N. C.___ ECZEMAS Hunt's Salve, formerly called Hunt's Cure Is guaranteed to stop and permanently cure that terr • itching. It Is eom pou... 1 fur that purpose and your money will he promptly refunded without question if Hunts Balre fails to cure Itch, Hciema,Tetter. King Worm or any other skin disease. 75o the box. Your local druggist, or direct by mail from A. B. RICHARDS MEOICINE GO.,SHERMAN.TEXAS FROST PROOF CABBAGE PLANTS Early Jersey and Charleston Wakefield, Sn» cession and Flat Dutch. By express, B00, fl.K: 1,000,12.00; 5,000 at 11.75; 10,000 X». at *1.50. F. O. B. HERE. Delivered parcel post 100, 35c; 1,000, SE50. Satisfaction guaranteed. D. F. JAMISON, SUMMERVILLE, & C