Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-15
Interesting Incidents in Career
of Great Russian Novelist
and Reformer.
CRITICISM OF BIG SLEEVES
Thought Lady Visitor Had Wasted
Enough CIotb to Make Dress
For a Little Girl.

eI1SC, philosopher and refOrmer, that
while he was in no sense q popular
author his books had a wider ctrcula-
ton than those of any other writer
living at that time. His books have
been translated into no less than forty
FIVE different languages and dialects.
The man whose views were thus dis
seminated throughout the civilized
world succeeded in achieving his aim
to make his life an open book to be
read of all mankind. Born to wealth,
he renounced the world when he real
lied its vanities and retired to his es-
tate to live the life of a farmer and
to preach in his writings the doctrines
of humanity. In the quiet of Yasnaya
Polyana, his estate in southern Rus
STA, Tolstoy. working side by side with
the benighted and ignorant Russian
peasants, became philosopher. an ex-
FOUNDER of Biblical teachings and an
exponent of the creed that every man
should earn his bread by the sweat of
his brow.
Once a lady philanthropist crossed
the Russian frontier to visit Tolstoy.
Ushered into the presence of the phi
losopher, she uttered the usual con-
ventional greetings and explanations
of her visit. while he eyed her silently
and in abstraction, "as if" she said
afterward, "he were quietly turning
back the top Of my head and looking
at the thoughts inside" When she
had finished speaking he touched her
arm, which was covered, as was the
fashion at that time. with a large
sleeve, and said: why do you wrap
so much cloth on your arms? If you
ripped it off it would make a good
frock for little girl"
Deeried All Wars.
Some years ago Count Tolstoy de-
cried all revolutions and wars, deciar-
ing that there never was a good war.
His address to his dear brother the
emperor, written at the time of the
Russo-Japanese war, was all In sorrow,
not in anger; warning, not a threat.
Epitomized, the statements of Tolstoy
were:
F'irst.-The working people desire to be
delivered from special laws that place
them IN the position of a pariah. de-
prfved of all the rights of other citizens.
Second.-They desire freedom of remov-
al from place to place. freedom of educa-
ton, freedom of conscience and. above
all. freedom in the use of the land, the
abolition of the right of landed property.
Proof of His Humor.
Despite the general seriousness of
his views of life and its obligations,
the following incident is a proof of
ToIstoy's sense of humor: Once an
American millionaire and his COM
panions wanted very much to see the
great author. and eventually this was
arranged, the stipulation being that
no one should speak to Tolstoy.
Tolstoy took his seat on the balcony
of his home, and the Americans filed
past in solemn procession. Everything
went well until the last lady arrived.
She. however. did not keep her part
of the bargain, for. bending forward,
she called out: Leo TOystoy! Leo
Tolstoy! All your great works have
deeply Influenced my life. but espe-
cially"- And here she stopped short.
having forgotten the name of the
book. The great author leaned over
the edge Of the balcony and said smil-
AASAg. AYc0u EoOulo1 hNE'S- 10
yes" answered the lady. 'Ah. in
deed said Tolstoy. That book is
by GogOl and not by me-"
Experience With Policeman.
Once in Moscow Count TolstOy saw
a persistent beggar asking aims. who
exclaimed. "A little penny, brother. in
the name of Christ.
A police officer approached. He was
young, martial. and wrapped in the
regulation sheepskin. at sight of him
the beggar fed. hobbling away IN
fright and haste.
'Is it possible" said TolStOy to him
self, ''that people are forbidden to ask
charity in Christs name in a Christian
landT
Brother" he said to the policeman.
lean you read?"
Yes" said the officer politely.
''Have you read the Bible?"
Yes"
And do you remember Christ's or
ders to feed the hungry?" And he cited
the words. The policeman was evil
IDENTIFY troubled. He turned to his
questioner and asked:
''And you, sir-you can readT'
Eyes, brother"
And have you read the police reg
ulations?"
Yes, brother
''And do you remember that begging
in the main streets is forbidden"
The philosopher found no answer
ready.
Charming as a companion with his
family, witty and laughing heartily at
his own jokes, Tolstoy often delighted
his children with stories of his early
or with fables composed
on the spur of the moment for their
sole ediication.
The Planning Machine.
AS to the original inventor of the
planning machine there is perhaps
scarcely machine about which there
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