The Detroit times., 1910-11-21
Why ToIstoy Became
Peasant, Although Wealthy

TOlstOy was born III 1919, ana IN
his autobiography he said: Il would
divide my life into four periods-the
innocent, joyful. poetic period of
childhood up TO fourteen; then those
dreadful twenty years, the period OF
Lccarse dissoluteness Of service, OF am
Fbitfpn. ana vanity, and above all OF
sensuousness next the eighteen
years during which I lived regular.
honest, family life, yet a period, all
the interests OF which were limited
70 egotistical family cares. TO concern
for the increase OF wealth, the attain
ment of literary success, and the en-
ioyment of every kind of pleasure,
and the fourth period in which | now
live and hope to die, from whose
standpoint | see all the significance
OF my past life
The Tolstoy family dates from 1905.
One of their ancestors came from
Germany with 5000 men. and became
the founder OF several noble Russian
families. When Peter |. was on the
throne Peter Tolstoy occupied high
positions in the military and diplo-
matte services. He was made
count. When Catherine was succeed
ed by Peter H.. Peter Tolstoy fell
from power. and in 1929 died in exile.
The title OF count was not restored to
the family until 1850, when 1t was re
ceived by the great-grandfather OF
the present count.
Count Tolstoy's mother was the
only daughter of Prince Nieslay Ser
geyvich Volkonsky. Leo was two
years of age when she died. She was
cultured. sweet, and gentle. The
counts father was a landowner and
was kind to his dependents.
Radical Views Startled Friends.
Although born OF an aristocratic
family, the count in early manhood
began to startle his friends by his
radical views. His writings later got
him into serious trouble with the Of
ficials OF the Car, but he was never
punished Considering the violence
of his utterances, the Russian govern
ment has dealt leniently with him.
He used to wonder every morning
when he woke up why he was not on
the road to Siberia. Alexander Ill,
declared that while Tolstoy lived he
should never lose his liberty, and the
present Gar, it is believed, had given
him the same assurance.
Tolstoy, years ago, assumed the
garb of a peasant and toiled In the
fields-many times going barefoot.
Tall, gaunt, and shaggy though he
was, his peasants dress could not hide
the aristocrat. His eyes were kindly.
his chin broad, and covered with a
mighty beard. His eyebrows were
bushy. His appearance was rugged
and uncouth. yet when he spoke you
at once recognize the kindly. cultured
gentleman.
Fifty.four years have passed since
Tolstoy fought in the Crimean war as
a young officer Here he learned hard
ship. and here IL was that he deter
mined to devote his life to the well
fare of the people. He practiced
what he preached and since lived
life of toll and deprivation. He
stripped his room of furniture and
Injuries were banished from his
table At his town house. In Mos
COW, or at his country estate he toll
ed early and late, He received his
guests in a big. square room almost
devoid of furniture. But his wife. the
countess. received the same guests in
drawing room furnished with refine
ment and liberality She did not share
her husbands creed. she is a sweet
woman, and no woman ever had a
more loyal and loving husband She
does as she likes. The count never
interfered with personal liberty
The farmhouse % the late count is
situated in the village Of Yasanaya
Polyapa. When his health permitted.
the count used to pay frequent visits
10 the huts of the peasants and ask
them questions about everything. tie
would examine what they we're eat.
ing. ask no wthey worked. and was In
the habit of attending weddings and