An interview with a genuine Russian direct from the Russian forces, who arrived in Lewiston yesterday morning, was somewhat of a novelty to The Sun man.

It is doubtful if the thought of Russians taking French leave of their native country at this critical time, seems slightly unpatriotic, but all things taken into consideration, perhaps it is a charitable action after all.

Arnold Herling is the name of the Russian soldier, who with his two brothers, deserted from the Russian forces at Riga some six weeks or more ago, and made a bee line for the United States. They had a brother in Lisbon Falls, and the happy thought of finding their kin in this distant land was an inspiration that helped shorten the trip.

50 Years Ago, 1954

Twin City basketball fans will get an early dish of their favorite fare when the Boston Celtics clash with the Rochester Royals on the Lewiston Armory court in a benefit pre-season National Basketball Association exhibition sponsored by the Lewiston Lodge Elks.

The Celtics, who will train at Cambridge, Mass., this year rather than Ellsworth in order to include Jackie Nichols in their workouts.

25 Years ago, 1979

•Major banks raised the prime rate to a record 12¼ percent as the economy continued to feel the effects by the new chairman of the Federal Reserve Board to fight inflation.

Some economists have warned that by raising the interest rates the Federal Reserve risks causing an even deeper recession than the one the United States appears to have already entered.

•DeCoster Egg Farms, the country’s top producer of brown eggs, was sold to a Massachusetts corporation for $17.2 million, company officials announced.

The sale to Acton Corp. in Acton Mass., announced after four months of negotiations, requires Federal Trade Commission clearance. That is expected within a month, an Acton official said.