76 RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



little daughters, was visiting her mother in Mos- 

 cow. He ordered coffee made, set it before me 

 with cakes, oranges, mint drops, and the best 

 cigars I ever encountered in all Europe. He 

 then began to load me with souvenirs giving me a 

 silver Russian coin-holder, photographs of himself, 

 his wife, and his two little daughters ; a quantity 

 of lace and some fancy work made by his cook, and 

 finally an immense bunch of lilies-of-the-valley, 

 Russia's most lovely wild flower. 



Returning from his dwelling to the station, I 

 was shown a large room in the station, the floor 

 of which was literally covered with human beings, 

 peasant men in their rough sheep-skin gar- 

 ments, asleep. They were a gang of labourers 

 employed by the Government, awaiting transpor- 

 tation by railroad. 



On the arrival of my train my friend provided 

 for me a special sleeping apartment, furnished with 

 bed, table, and chair, a striking contrast to our 

 Pullman narrow-berth sleepers. He gave orders 

 to have me well cared for, hugged and kissed me, 

 and with a "God bless you' ! and 'God bless 

 America" the train moved off. By noon next day 

 I was again in Russia's Holy City. 



