New-York tribune., 1902-02-15
MAXLM GORKL.
SOME "REMINISCENCES OF THE YOUNG
RUSSIAN NOVELIST

Russian journal has recently published some
"reminiscences of Cork, the remarkable young
novelist whose pictures Of Russian life have
attracted so much attention. They are by
station master on a Russian railroad Twelve
years ago Cork was a railroad employe at a
little station near ZariZun, in the province of
Saratow, Russia. He a night watchman OF
railroad cars. The station master says that he
paid close attention TO his duties. and soon
showed that he had a good education. for which
reason he pushed ahead, and in few
months was put in the place of weigh master.
He had no notion of saving his wages, however.
and spent his money in what the station master
calls queer ways"
He spent it fooshly, as we used to say-on
his comrades who had families. on the poor,
a ruble 10 one. 80 kopecks to another; he
would buy postage stamps in large quantities.
for he kept up a very large correspondence, and
got letters from somewhere almost every day.
Nobody knew with whom he corresponded.
about what though these things didn't interest
us much.
In his leisure moments you could always
find him in the midst of a group of workmeu,
delivering an address reading to them from
some book of moral or religious tendency, or
about geography. history astronomy, etc. His
reading evidently gained the applause Of his
auditors, for he read well. and had uncom-
mon gift for speaking. The workmen went to
him in perfect crowds, in their endeavors 20
hear something interesting from him. And We
too. in the Office were soon to have occasion to
know Pjeschkow-Gorkl's real name-better.
''One day as ! was reading a novel-or some
book. don't remember now just what came
upon the name of organization secret
society unknown 10 me, and S I knew nothing
about their doctrines I went for information to
our station master, the best read man of
those parts But he could tell me nothing about
It. By chance Pjeschkow happened to be in the
Office during our conversation.
VIII you allow me, Ivan Ivanowitsch,' he
said, turning TO the station master. to tell you
something about that? And then he gave us
a regular lecture about the secret society. with
so many details that I really don't know where
he could have got them. AS have already said.
he spoke charmingly. and held interest
that if a train had arrived then We shouldn't
have heard it. Fortunately, train due,
and so two hours slipped by without our MOTTO
ing it, while Pjeschkow entertained and in
structed US. When he left the station master
turned TO me and said: DO you know what I
think? This Pjeschkow is expelled student
or something of that sort. for he is altogether
too clever and well read for a bakers apprentice
and cook Lord save from having any
trouble with him.,
He stayed at work at our station only few
months. One fine day he appeared before me
In the Office, asked for his discharge and gave
notice that he would longer work for US
I paid him what was due him, and offered him
a third class ticket 10 any station on our line
but he declined il and said he was going on foot
Then he clapped his fur cap over his ears. lifted
his little bag OF belongings TO his shoulders and
marched off along the railroad track in his felt
shoes, bidding farewell amiably to the employees
Of Sfa as he
Soon 1 got hold Of Maxim Gorki's stories.
when read them had the feeling that was
reading something had heard before, but had
long forgotten And when 1 saw the portrait
OF the author recognized in him at once our
former weigh master. But that ne never had
any schooling, as they say who write about
him, shall never be able to believe"