A COSSACK STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16372, 28 October 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

A COSSACK STORY.

GOOD SAMARITANS.

It is not often that the Austrian press has a good word to say for the Russian Cossack, and accordingly a quaint little incident, reported by the Vienna Arbeiter Zeitung, is not without interest. The Arbeiter Zeitung relates how, when the Russians were occupying the Seletin district, a Jewess, her children gathered around her. was preparing her scanty evening meal. There was a knock at the door, and with a look of horror the woman signed to her grown-up daughter to open it. Three Cossacks stepped in, and, shaking the snow from their cloaks, - asked far something to eat. The woman offered all she had, and. falling on her knees, begged mercy for her children. The Cossacks looked at her wohderingly. remarking that they were not accustomed to eating human beings; and then, glancing round, noticed the signs of extreme poverty everywhere. A short whispered consultation among them followed, and then two of the Cossacks went off, leaving the third to chop up some wood. Half an hour later the Cossacks returned, bringing with them ample store of eatables and drinkables. They had visited the residence of a wealthy Jew. and the store of provisions which he had laid up for the Sabbath feast was now shared by the Cossacks, with the Jewess and her little ones— first good meal they had enjoyed for many months.