Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-06-27
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GOD SEES THE TRUTH.
BY COUNT LEO TOLSTOI.

Oh N0CN4 LINZ AO40A VA
In the town Of Vladimir there lived a
young merchant, Ivan Dmitrievitch Ak
benov. He had two shops there and a
house Of his own. One summer Ak
senov was going to the fair at Mimi,
and as he was bidding good-by to his
family his wife said, Ivan Dmitrie-
witch, don't go today. have had bad
dream about you. | dreamt you had
come back from town and taken of
your cap, and | looked and saw your
head was all turned gray
Aksenov laughed. THAT means good
luck" he said. "See If don't sell my
whole stockandbrlng you some fine
presents"
And he said good-by to his family
and drove away.
When he had travelled half way he
met merchant of his acquaintance and
they put up at the same inn. They
drank tea together and then went to
bed in adjoining rooms.
Aksenov woke before morning, reused
his driver and told him to harness SO
as to start while it was cool. When
they had gone about thirty miles they
stopped to feed the horses and Aksonev
rested awhile in the passage and order
ed a samover to be got ready.
Suddenly a three-horse trap drove up
with tinkling bells, and an official got
out, followed by two soldiers He came
up to Aksenov and began to question
him; who he was and whence he came.
Aksenov wondered why he asked all
MISE questions, but related everything,
and then said, "Why do you question
me In this way"
Then the official called the soldiers
and said, II am the police officer OF
this district and am questioning you be-
cause the merchant with whom you
spent the night has been murdered.
Let me see your things. Search him.
They entered the house and the SOL
diers and the police officer unfastened
the straps and searched Aksenovs lug
gage. Suddenly the police officer took
knife out Of the bag and cried,
Whose knife is this?"
Aksenov looked, and when he saw
knife stained with blood taken from his
bag he was frightened.
"And how did the blood get on the
knife"
Aksenov was going to answer, but
could hardly utter a word, and only
stammered, "-I-I don't know. 1.-The
knife-not mine"
Then the police officer said, This
morning the merchant was found In
bed with his throat cut No one could
have done ii but you. The house was
locked from inside, and no one else was
there. And here's the blood-stained
knife in your bag. Besides, your face
betrays you"
Aksenov swore he had not done 1t,
and that he had not seen the merchant
after they had drunk the tea together;
that he had no money except 5000 rou-
bles Of his own, and that the knife did
not belong to him. But his voice was
broken, his face pale and he trembled
with fear just as II he were guilty. The
police officer ordered the soldiers to
bind Aksenov and to put him In the
cart. His money and his things were
taken from him and he was imprisoned
In the nearest town.
His wife was in despair about her
husband and did not know what to
think.
wants, my dearest love-" she said,
tell the truth to your wlfe-lt was not
you who did it,"
$50 you, too, think that of me" said
Aksenoy, and hiding his face in his
hands he began to weep.
When they were gone Aksenov recall
ed what had been said, and when he
remembered that his wife had also sus-
pected him and asked him whether he
had murdered the merchant he said to
himself ut seems that no one but God
can know the truth, and 1t Is to him
alone we must appeal and from him
alone expect mercy"
Aksenov was condemned to be fog
ged and sent to the mines, and so he
was fogged with whip, and when his
wounds were healed he was sent to
Siberia with other convicts.
Aksenov worked for twenty-six years
in the mines Of Siberia. His hair turn
ed white as snow and his narrow
beard grew long and gray. All his
mirth vanished; his back became bent;
he walked slowly and spoke little, never
laughed, but often prayed to God
Aksenov got no letters from home
and did not know whether his wife and
children were alive or not.
One day a gang of new prisoners
condemned to the mines arrived at the
prison. In the evening the old prison.
ers collected around the new ones ami
began asking them what towns or vii
lagos they came from and what they
were sentenced for. Aksenov also sat
down on a bed near the newcomers and
listened with downcast air to what
was being said.
One of the newcomers, a tall,
healthy-looklng man of 60, with a close
ly cropped gray beard, was relating
how he had been taken.
well, friends he said, q only took
a horse that was tied to sledge, and
| was taken up and accused of theft |
said that | had only taken him to get
home sooner and then had left 1t go;
besides, the driver was friend Of
NINE So said, It's all right NO,
they said, you've stolen It.
"And where do you come from?'
From Vladimir. My name is Makar
and they honor me with the patronimlc
of Semenovitch.
Aksenov raised his hea d and said,
"Tell me, Semenovitch, have you not