The official bulletin of the Prefect of Petrograd published another
addition to the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic drinks. Up
to that date restaurants of the first class had the privilege
of selling vodka and all other spirituous liquors in unlimited
quantities. It was thought these establishments would only provide
for the wealthier classes, and there was no danger of the common
people being able to secure strong drink. It seems, however, that
habitual topers even of the lower classes arrayed themselves in
clothes finer than they had ever worn before in their lives and,
putting up a bold front, have entered first class restaurants and
got what they wanted.
The story goes that hatters and milliners had been doing a rushing
business selling bowler hats to men and women who hitherto had worn
caps and shawls. A bowler on a man and a hat on a woman being in
Russia a mark of superiority, if not of intelligence, there was no
ban on champagne for the wearers.
This reached the ears of the commander-in-chief of the army, who
has absolute powers. He accordingly instructed prefects of police
throughout Russia to prohibit the sale of vodka and strong drink of
every description, even in first-class restaurants.
"HE IS NOT A PRIEST!"
The following story illustrates the versatility of German spies:
A French battalion had just entered a village which for some time
previously had been occupied by the Germans. The place had been
pillaged and devastated, the inhabitants had fled, but the church
and priest's house were still intact. The aged curé came forth to
greet the soldiers with open arms.
That evening officers invited the venerable cleric to dinner, and,
as a matter of course, they invited him to say grace.
As he murmured a Latin prayer one officer, a lieutenant, became
strangely interested. He became absolutely astonished as the priest
went on. The lieutenant whispered to the colonel, and before the
company had quite realized what was happening, four men with fixed
bayonets had ranged themselves behind the curé.
"That man has never been a priest," exclaimed the officer.
Forthwith the man was searched. He was a German spy and had
disguised himself as a priest in the deserted village. The real
pastor was a hostage.