PRESENCE OF MIND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXIV, 14 December 1895, Page 756

PRESENCE OF MIND.

During the popular excitement and riotons demonstrations in Russia, growing out of the outbreak cf cholera, a priest at Saratoff was attacked by a mob. A man had shouted upon seeing him : * There’s the man that seized me and buried me alive ! I’ve only this instant escaped from the grave that he put me in ! The excited people, thoroughly convinced that there was a murderous conspiracy against them, rushed upon the priest with cries which showed their determination to put him to death. The priest folded his arms and smiled. ‘ You have just come out of the grave, you say ?’ he called to the man. ‘ Ay, that I have !’ * Then how,’ asked the priest, • does it happen that you’ve had time to get drunk already ? As it was found that the man’s breath smelled of liquor, the laugh was turned upon him, and the crowd left the priest unmolested. The same popular excitement in Russia has been the occasion of an example of what may be called poetic and picturesque retribution which would be possible only in a despotic country. At Nijoi Novgorod, where the authorities and physicians were making a strenuous attempt to stifle the cholera, a merchant led a violent agitation which was directed against the doctors. He circulated reports that the physicians were burying patients alive, and endeavoured to influence the people against them. The governor general of the province caused the merchant to be arrested, and after an examination was convinced that the charge against him was trne. * I am going to give you a government appointment,’ said the governor, * as a reward for what you regard as your exercise of public spirit.’ * A government appointment !* said the man, delighted. * Yes. I appoint yon a nnrse on the floating cholera hospital in the river. There you will have an opportunity to see whether there is cholera or not, and also to observe whether any persons are being buried alive '

The man was sent, therefore, to take care of cholera patients. It is unnecessary to say that he was not highly pleased with his * appointment,'