AtlOUtìT 1, 1914
THE FALLS CITY NEWS.
i A SINGULAR j
CUSTOM
\ And How
j;
by
It Was Illustrated < >
a Russian
i >
< >
Countess
—
< *
B y
L O U IS E
B.
C U M M IN G S
V,
A bull was in progress in the Winter
palace at 8t. Petersburg. There were
few persons in the resplendent throng
who were not titled, and in Russia
even a prince caunot hold his position
in the court circle without complying
with a number o f requirements.
Among the few at the ball without the
prefix to the name o f count, baron,
duke or even general, without gold
lace or a string o f decorations on the
breast, but in plain black evening
dress, was Adel Pert Wyman, an at
tache to the American legation.
I f Wyman was bereft o f artificial
plumage nature had endowed him with
an attractive personality.
He was
finely built, being tall and proportioned
for an athlete, while his countenance
bespoke a manly spirit within. H av
ing Inherited a fortune and work not
being a necessity with him. he had
adopted a profession in which money
making had no part and which to him
seemed full o f interest—diplomacy.
Wyman had prepared himself for
his career by the study o f international
law and more especially of several for
eign languages. Russian among the
number. H e was therefore enabled to
chat in her native tongue with a young
Russian girl, with whom he danced
several times at this Imperial ball. The
Countess Olga Ivanovna was one of
those women o f the north whose com
plexions are fair, whose eyes are blue
and whose hair is flaxen. Notw ith
standing the fact that she was noble
and her companion was a commoner,
she seemed to be pleased with him.
Indeed, there was something unique in
that unadorned figure among hundreds
o f men most o f whom relied for ad
miration on their velvet clothes, tinsel
and the medals strung on their breasts.
Some of them were misshapen, some
had homely faces, and all were dress
ed as if for a play. W ym an alone was
unadorned.
‘•How do you like Russia?” asked the
countess. All visitors are asked this
question and if they are well bred
usually reply that they like the coun
try they visit very much. Wyman's
reply was that the country interested
him. When asked why, he said that it
was in the marked difference to what
be bad been accustomed.
“ In what way?” asked the girl.
“ First, with you Russians everything
points from the people to the govern
ment. while with us everything points
from the government to the people. In
other words, here the people seem to
be for the government, while with us
our government is for the people. But
it is the many singular customs in
the different parts o f your great em
pire that especially interest me, the
pronounced varied types o f your peo
ple. 1 have read that in a certain
province dowryless girls are raffled for
as wives, the money paid in for chances
being given for a marriage portion.”
“ There is a more singular custom
than that.” added the countess. "In
a certain part o f Russia the girls pro
pose to the men. I f a girl wants to
marry a man she goes to his house. I f
he refuses to marry her he is regard
ed as insulting her and her fam ily, and
they take revenge upon him.”
"Th e privilege o f proposing mar
riage," said Wyman, "accorded to the
man Is a mere custom. F or my part I
see no reason why a woman should not
be as free to ask a man tx> marry her
as that a man is free to ask her to be
his wife."
“ Do you really mean that?” asked
the countess, looking up at Wyman
archly.
“ I certainly do. But you must not
take me in that respect as representing
my countrymen. I like to think for
myself and am not a Slav«; to cus
toms."
The two parted at this point, but just
before the ball closed they met again.
“ We go next week to our home in the
province of Viatka,” she said. “ I f you
will make us a visit there I think I
can show you sarnie more o f our odd
customs. The people about us have
some very singular ones.”
“ I assure you 1 feel highly honored
by the Invitation and shall accept it
with much pleasure.”
In time Wyman received a form al In
vitation to visit Count Ivan Ivan
ovna's estates in Viatka. A time was
set for his coming, but none for his
departure. This surprised him, fo r it
Is usual among most entertainers In
high life all over the world to invite
their guests for a definite period. The
American was cordially received by
the young lady’s fam ily and a suit o f
rooms placed at his disposal. H e had
not before met any o f them except
Olga, and he seemed to be considered
her especial guest A t any rate, sbe
took upon herself his entertainment,
driving him about herself, showing him
the people, how they lived, how they
worked and how they reared their chil
dren Wyman was much interested in
It all and more especially in tba Igno
rance o f not only the-children, . 1 ) 0 1 of
their parents.
“ But you bare not sbown»m e,” said
Wyman one day when they w ere put
together. "liny o f those singular cifp-
toms you spoke o f when in St. Peters
burg."
“ Ton must be p a tien t" w as the re
ply. “ You Americans aiyfe always in
hast« IT you are to be a olptomat yon
must get rid o f that American trait.”
A couple o f weeks passed
Olga
Ivanovna showed no «Usp-ndllou to part
with her visitor, nor did lie care espe
cially to return to the city There were
no Intricate questions In-tween the
I'nltcd States ami Itusata to render his
attendance on his chief necessary, and
he was not recalled
lie occupied his
time during the day in studying the
Russian people under the guidance o f
his fair hostess, and the evenlugs did
uot seem long euougb. since he in
variable spent them iu her company.
I f Wytuan thought o f what might
come o f this association it certainly
did uot occur to him that a family
whose nobility might bo traced back
for centuries, which was In high favor
with the exar. would consent to admit
a commoner like himself Into its charm
ed circle by giving biiu one o f its mem
bers to wife. Nor did be suspect that
Olga Ivanovna would sto >p to ally her
self with him- He was happy, and he
was young, and young persons are not
given to looking to a point where their
happiness may come to an end.
One evening Olga showed a well de
fined symptom that the little god had
claimed her as one o f Its victims. He
parting with the American was accom
panied by an Inten .ty o f feeling uot
tiefore definitely displayed.
Wyman
went to his rooms wondering. Could
It bo that, yielding to love, this high
born beauty would surrender to an un
titled man from the other side o f the
globe?
The next moruiug Olga tbld her guest
that th *e was to be a singular cere
mony iu the line o f what she bad
promised him.
He was delighted.
Olga would take |«irt in it. Would he
like to do the same? Certainly. What
was it like? There would be raelng.
She would be dressed in ruunlng cos
tume I f be 'intended to take part be
would better dress for the same pur
pose. Capital! He had been a sprinter
in school and afterward In college. He
had several cups at home be bad won
on the cinder path.
An hour later Olga appeared attired
In a dress the skirt o f which came
only to the knees.
Wyman had no
sprinting costume with him. so he ap
peared simply in a pair o f white flan
nel trousers and shirt. Thus arrayed,
the two sprang luto a phaeton which
stood at the door, and Olga drove to
a field on which wns a crowd of peo
ple. At one end o f the open space was
a tent. Olga drove to a point near
the canvas, and both she and her
guest alighted. Olga went into the
tent for a few moments, where she
divested herself of her Jacket and
came out ready for a run.
Wyman saw no one else prepared
for racing and noticed that he and
Olga seemed to be the center o f at
traction.
While he was wondering
what it all meant. Olga, who bad
walked a short distance from him.
turned, beckoned to him ami then
darted away over the field.
Wyman ran after her. There was
the same excitem ent the same cheers,
tbe same shouts, as when he had won
cups in America. He was surprised to
see that Olga was running very sw ift
ly. Gallantry at first caused him to
moderate his pace, but it was not long
before he realized that if lie was to
catch her be must do Ills best.
Tbe space to be traveled was iiOO
yards, and to win Wyman must cateli
the fugitive before reaching a goal at
the other end o f the field. He was at
first so dilatory that when Olga had
made half the distance it seemed be
would lose. And so he would have
lost bad nut Olga in the next quarter
slowed her pace. Within a hundred
yards o f the goal she ran so slowly
that Wyman bad no difficulty In catch
ing her.
He put his hand on her
shoulder, and she fell back Into his
arms amid a vociferous approval of
tbe onlookers
Having recovered her breath, sbe
slipped her arm through his. and they
walked back together to the starting
point. Out of tbe tent came a priest
and advanced toward them. Olga rais
ed her band in protest.
“ No. no. father. This is not a real
wedding. This gentleman wished to
see some o f our customs, and I
thought I had best show him one of
our wedding ceremonies and arrange
that he should be a part o f it, but your
services will not be required.”
Wyman stood looking at the speak
er wonderingly. Tbe excitement o f tbe
chase was ui»on bira. Moreover, a de
lightful suspicion flashed in bis mind
(hat there was something more in this
ceremony than to show lain a custom
of tbe country.
As for the crowd, It showed signs
o f dissent. There were cries of “ A
wedding, a wedding!” But the count
ess, who was much beloved by tbe
people, stilled them.
“ For my part,” said Wyman, looking
at Olga with eyes that expressed’ far
more than bis words Implied, “ I think
tbe people are right. W e should not
disappoint them.”
At this tbe cries were renewed, and
this time Olga found It impossible to
still them. She gave Wyman a ques-
‘ inning look, then dropped her eyes.
Wyman struck while the Iron was hot
and signaled to the priest to advance
lad ia-rfortii the ceremony. Olga yleld-
cd, and the two, having been made one,
were escorted to the bride's borne by
a singing, shouting populace.
Wyman returned to the embassy at
St. Petersburg, and it was announced
to the world that the secretary o f the
American legation and tbe Countess
Olga Ivanovna were betrothed.
Not
long afterward they were married In
presence of the Imperial family, and
there were few persons at the capital
who knew that this wns a supplemen
tary ceremony.
W ym an’s life has been spent mostly
abroad, hut a [lortlon o f It lie tins lived
in America with his Itusitan wife.
FALLS C IT Y , OREGON
Offers exceptionally tine opportunities for the establishment
to
C o -O p e ra tiv e Cannery
C o -O p e ra tiv e C re a m e ry
W o o d -w o rk in g Factories
Fruit and Berry Orchards
Manufacturers anil Uomesookers who want to know the facia con
cerning Falls City anil its posaibilites for future development are
requested to read the information given in those two columns. For
further and more particular information, address The News.
The
Name
Th'* city derives its nanu from the falls ol the Little I.uckia-
mute Hirer, which flows through the city from the West.
The first sale of town lots occurred in 1889, though donation
land-claim settlers came here many years before that date. In
1900 the imputation was 260; in 1910, 969; 1914, about 1,250.
T h e Location
Falls City is situated iu the south central part of Polk County
Oregon, in section 21, township 8, S., range 6,W.. Willamette mer
idian, 27 rail miles southwest of Salem, and 73 rail miles south
west of Portland, in the narrow western end of the Little Lucki-
aunite River valley, surrounded on the north, south, and west by
the foothills of the Coast Range mountains. Klevation, 886 .IS ft
above sea level. Transportation— Salem, Falls City A Western
Railroad, which extends from Salem to Hluck Rock, a rail
distance of 30 miles, with 8. P. main line connections at Dallas,
Gerlinger, and Salem, and with the Oregon Electric at Salem
Fulls City is incorporated as a city, and contains 753 33 a.’ rts,
valuation for taxation $268,887. The city administration is com
posed of mayor, seven counci.men, auditor and police judge, mar
shal, treasurer, engineer, health officer.
Salariis: Marshal and
water superintendent, $60; auditor, $25; attorney, $25.
W a t e r and W ood
The city of Falls City owns the gravity water system. Its first
cost was $30,000. Pure mountain water is piped from enrings on
Judge Teal’s ranch, 8 miles stray, at an clevnti n o'. aDout 300
feet above city level.
Oak anil fir tire wood is plentiful and cheap.
L u m b e r, Fruit, V e g e ta b le s and Berries
Electric-power planing and saw mill, log pand, dry kiln and
lumber yard in the city, lunfber Hume, logging roads and logging
outfits, all owned and operated by the Falls City I.umber Co.
The surrounding bench and hill lands are as well adapted to
the production of fruits and berries as any other section of the
Pacific Northwest, and development on these lines is going on.
Vegetables and berties of many kinds grow to perfection in
and adjoining Falls City, and many acres are planted to straw
berries and loganberries. Market conditions are improving stead
ily, as production is increased.
S choo ls, C h u rc h e s , Societies, Clubs
It KA I« KST A T K TO K SA L ti
p ro fc M to n a l C nrto
l I .tils 1.2, 3. 4, 13, 14. block K.
- Two line building lots in block
G, East View add.
I ' l l Y S I l'lA N
i For rent, house, barn, II lots, $6;
Ellis street. Property for sale.
* For Sale. 2 good lots, on Pine
' Lots 13. I I, 15, 16, block O, at a
bargain; $.100 cash, bal. on terms
St 8
* Two lots, 6 r. house; fruit, l»or-
ries. city water, electric light; cl >se
in, bargain.
Business Enterprises
Falls C 'ty is well provided with the usual business enterprises.
The News contains the announcements of the following business
and professional men of the c ity :
Bakery, D. Toller,
Bank of Falls City, W. F. Nichole cashier.
Barber shops, Wm. Bohle.
Carpenters and Builders, Elle A Kile, S. Ouderkirk.
Clothier, Tailor and gents’ furnisher, Clias. Harlung.
Confectionery stores: B. I,. Ellis, R. It. Harrington.
Drug store, M. L. Thompson.
Dentist, Dr. A. G. Atwood.
Department store, N. Selig,
Funeral diieotor, R. L. Chapman.
Furniture, J. C. Talbott A Co.
General stores. N. Selig, F. C. Lumber Co., F. C. Mere. Co.
Hardware store. J. C. Talbott A Co,
Hotels: Fails City Hotel, Fritz Droege, oivnei ar.d manager;
'I he Madena, Mrs. Mae Nichols, Mrs. Dennis, managers
Jewelry store. W. A. I’ersey.
Newspaper, the Falls City News, D L Wood & Son.
Photoplay tneatre, the Gem. C. J. Pugh.
Physicians, Dr. W. B. Officer; Dr F. M. Hellwailn.
Pressing and cleaning parlor, f. A. Johnston.
Railroads, blletn, Falls City A Western, Southern Pacific.
Real estate agent, F. K. Hubbard Realty Co.
Restuurant. The Madena; Wm. Finley, owner.
Saloons: Toe Oregon, C. W. Matthews; The Idaho, Clias. Mix.
Odin, • (>t| ,,,
„ uu
K>-.id*uo* * hone 368
limits, with 5-room house. A bar
gain at $125, terms. House to rent.
* For sale — 9 acres, partially im
proved; house, timber; spring and
living stream; near western city
limits; price, $1000, half cash.
9 For sale, one acre, cultivated,
Iruit, berries; 6-r. house insured
for $1400; elec, light, city water,
cesspool; pi ico $1050; all cash, or
$700 cash, terms on balance.
I" For sale, 7 lots (all of block A)
in Montgomery's addition to Falls
City; good garden ground, fenced;
city water; price $1100 if bought
w ithin the ncx: 30 d tys.
'i For sale, tine home m city, with
25 acres, 10 cultivated,
l- For sale, lots 7, 8, 14, 28 block K,
and lots 11 it ml 12 block E. W ill
trade for Portland property,
K.II. l i l y
um*a
ATTOHNKY
J A S . G. H E L T Z C L ,
A tto rn e y a t Law
f r u l l r . In *11 ih . Stai* «tu ri*.
Sull. II Hu.I, Bri'yiiiaii UM« . phou. XVft
S a la r ti. O r * | o n
MCNTIBT
Dr. A.G. Atwood
D E N T IS T
P h * n * 1931
F a lls C ity . O r.
rtlNKHAI. DIKKCTOK
R. L C H A P M A N
Funeral Directoi
W * a t l . n d I * *11 w o r k p ro m p t ly .
D * I U . and F a ll* C it y , O r
i' For sule, I>>t 2 block M, M ud.
H For sale, 80 a. 1J ml. north of city
20 a. improved; 25 a. good timber;
plenty of pasture and water.
Buelncee liaría
norm.
It To rent, 12 r house,
1* Two acres, cultivated, fruit, ber
ries; 6-r. house, sheds; water, elec
tric light; will divide.
17 Three acres, adjoining city.
jf a lls Œ it ç lb o t e l
S im p l«
B **t
R oom »
A c c o m m o d a t io n s
F . r o a g * . P r o p r ie to r
1* Five acres, in city.
19 Six lots, no improvements; cheap
IIA l i l t t i l l S H O P S
Lot 5 and 20 ft. of lot 4 blk D, 70
h et front, on North Mam street, is
for sale at a bargain; lest building
Ini in town S e F. K. Hubbard.
Bohle’s Barber Shops
F. K. Hubbard Realty Company
in T h * N t w i o ffic e , F a l l * O ily
F a ll* C ity , O r * g o n
Khtrr >ou (ss gel t Him. Rsir Cal. Istli
or 'ihia«‘
A g * n l f o r O a lla * S l * * m Lau ndr y
Huiiill,'. Inrw«r,t.«t liiru ta y rvvitlus
MONUMENTS
Abstracts of titlo p-omptly fur
nished. Rates reasonable. Brown A
Sibley, 610 Mill St., Dallas, Ur.
The Falls City Electric Light A
Power Co., w ill sell 40 watts Tung-
ston globes for 35 cents. 60 watt
for 50 cent«.
G. L. H A W K I N S
M A R B L E A N O G R A N IT E
MONUMENTS
D a lla * , O regon
TLhc
O re g o n
C . VW. M a t l h * w * , P r o p r i e t o r
P
For F in e C a n d ie s
Go To
Ellis’ Confectionery Store
H arrington’s
fob
Independence
Ice Cream
Salem Laundry
Agency
Bundles sent Tuesday evenings.
Notice to News Subscribers
H A R R I N G T O N ’S
OVER e s YEARS*
ENCC
T rade M a r s *
D e s ig n s
C o p y r ig h t s A c .
A n v o n * e n d in g n s k e tf h m id d p s e rln tlo fl m$$
q u ic k ly n a c e rtn lfi o u r o p in io n fre « w h e th e r an
In v e n tio n m p ro h n b ly p n te n ta b le , C o m m u n lm -
tlo n » A trlc tlv c o n fid e n tia l* HANDBOOK on P g U n t i
■ent fre e . O ld e st n g e n ry fo r set tir in g u iU e n n .
I ’ ate n fe ta k e n th ro u g h M iin n A Co. re c e iv e
A b l u * - p * n o l l c r o t i m a rk on t h l*
n o t l o * m * * n * t h a t y e u r au ba erlp -
tl o n to T h o N o w . haa an plra d an d
n eed a fliln g
Do it n o w .
Brown’ s Garage
Autos Fo r Hire
t l x ial notice , without charge. In the
Scientific American.
A h e n d e o m e lf llln w fre fe d w e ekly, f,a rg e n t H r -
m u t t o n o f Hny s c ie n tific Journal. T e rm *, f it a
y e a r; fo u r m o tif ha, f l . Hold by a ll n ew sdealer*.
Bring Your Job Printing to this Office
PHYSICIAN ANI) BUKOEON
OlHen one door easl o l P, O.
i For sale, One acre, adjoining city
The Fraternal societies: Ind. Order ol Oddfellows, Rehekahs,
Masons, Knightsof Pythias, Pythian Bisters, Modern Woodmen of
America, Royal Neighbors of Aiuirica, Woodmen of the World,
Women of Woodcraft.
Hydro-electric light generated by the power of the falls; owned
by the Falls City Electric Co , W R. Stevens president, II. C.
Brown vice-president and manager, A. W. Stevens secretary and
treasurer.
Telephone system, with long-distance connections. C. J. Pugh
local manager.
I'll YMCl AN
F . M. H E L L W A R T H
,.
'I l.e Religious organizations are: Adventist,Catholic, Christian,
Free Methodist, Methodist Episcopal, Geiman Lutheran.
Gem theatre, photoplay.
P h yslolsn and l u r | * t s
Orti o» ovvi Thoni|uoit'a drug «tore. Mu
lutti j*liouo ivi ritolto Night ('all 441
street in block K. c u ltiva ted .
Falls City has a 12-grade school with a four-year high school
course, with principal, assistant, and eight grade teachers. lit
diplomas are a c c e p t e d b y tbe higher schools iu lieu of examina-
atiohs The entire community is justly proud of the school,
Free reading room.
W . B . Officer, M . D .
MUNN
& Co.36,Bre,d"*» New York
g r a o c h O ffice. 025 V H U W a s h in g to n , I). C.
SUPPLIES
General Repair Shop