The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-13
BY HERBERT BREWSTER.

BY HERBERT BREWSTER.
That DR.. Conan Doyle would be one of
the coronation knights as a reward for
his Great Boer War history and his
pamphlet in answer to the critics on Brit
ish army methods, etc, was to be con-
fidently expected. No one begrudges Dr.
DOYLE the honor. He deserved the recog-
milton which has thus come to him. 1t
seems a bit strange, however, that so
few of Englands great authors and men
of letters came in for a share of hon
ors. Gilbert Parker, doubtless, was
lnighted because of his fame as a novel
list. and Leslie Stephens as a literary
critic and editor, but at once other names
came to mind-<ipling, Meredith, Hardy,
Healey, Anthony Hope and many others
1t is said that Meredith refused knight
hood and that Kipling would have been
given title had he not objected. An
thony Hope probably spoiled his chances
by producing a caustic play, Fullerton S
Peerage." in which titles are created and
conferred in an easy going manner, which
angered the King. At best, the list OF
honors for the men of letters seems
Incomplete and not at all representa-
tive of what England's authors have
accomplished.
In view of the fact that life of Max
i'm Gorky by E. ]. Dillon will be pub
lished in England and America early this
fall, the following story of the Rus
sian tramp is of interest. The story
is told by a railroad official for whom
Gorky once worked:
''He performed his duties with grea
exactitude. Finding that he was vel
educated, at the end of two months We
proposed him for the weighing depart
ment at twenty-five rubles a month
But he spent his money strangely, or
as we used to say, stupidity, distributing
it among employees burdened with large
families and among the poor. He alst
spent a great deal of money in postage
stamps, for he kept up a vast CORE.
srondence. Every day he received let
tiers, nc one knew from where, ant
every one was curious about them
I'm his leisure hours he was Away!
surrounded by a crowd of workmen
whom he talked to in an instructive
manner, often reading pamphlets tt
them on morality. geography, history, OF
astronomy-thus initiating his listener!
into the things of the world and it.
phenomena. He scorned to please them
and they sought him frequently, delight
ing in his quick, ready speech. Some
times we. his chiefs, had chance to ge
closer acquaintance with Gorgy. Read
ing novel once, I stumbled upon
page in which there was passage abou
the Free Masons. Ignorant of their doc
trine, l asked for explanations from tn,
station chief as the best educated mar
in the 'bourgade' (district). He could
nf CT
erly read things about Free Masons-bu
without thoroughly understanding thei
doctrine. BY hazard Gorgy assisted tn,
candidate for the weighing department
Addressing the chief, he said: ALLOW me
Ivan Ivanovitch. to explain something
But do you know anything about tn
Masons? / have read something abou
them and what l remember l will tel
you and he gave us a veritable lee
ture on the Masons with such detail
that I still wonder where he learned
all. AS l said, he spoke fascinatingly
and he interested us so that We riske
forgetting the station chief and / tn
passage of the Enthusiastically there wer
none at that moment. Two hours passe
thus. When Gorky left us the chic
said.
"'Do you know Stephan Stepanovitch
think that this Gorky is a student i
exile or something of the kind, for h
is too intelligent for a baker or cool
and has read a great deal. 1t is to b
hoped no misfortune will befall u
through him.
THE station chief afterwards invite
: GeTky to his house like a good frient
and he spent his time with us smokin
his cigarette and astonishing us wit
his book knowledge until we were sur