Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-01-18
ANECDOTES OF ToLsToY.
Russia's Greatest Novelist, Philosopher
and Reformer.


Several years ago 1t was written Of
Count Leo Tolstoy, the Russian nov
elist, philosopher and reformer. that
while he was in no sense a popular au-
thor his books had wider circulation
than those Of any other writer living
at that time. His books nave 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 farmer and
to preach In mis- writings the doctrines
Of humanity. In the quiet of Yasnaya
Polyana, his estate In southern Russia,
Tolstoy, working side by side with the
benishted and ignorant Russian peas
ants, became a 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 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 ST.
lently and in abstraction, "as IT," 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
with a large sleeve, and said: why
10 yntr xuro n On rnnob olnfh ON v0rr
arms? II you ripped 1t on It would
make good frock for little girl"
oeeried All Wars.
Some years ago Count Tolstoy de-
cried all revolutions and wars, de-
claring that there never was a good
war. His address to his dear BROTH
of the Russo-Japanese war, was all
in sorrow, not in anger; q warning,
not threat. Epitomized,. the state
ments Of Tolstoy were:
First.-The working people desire
to be delivered from special laws that
place them In the position Of pariah.
deprived Of all the rights Of other
citizens.
Second.-They desire freedom of
removal from place to place. free
dom Of education, freedom Of con-
science 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 proof OF
Tolstoy'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. Every
thing went we'll until the last lady
arrived. She, however, did not keep
her part of the bargain, for, bending
forward, she called out: LEO Toy
stoy! Leo Tolstoy! All your great
works have deeply Influenced my life.
but especially And here she
stopped short, having forgotten the
name of the book. The great author
leaned over the edge Of the balcony
and said smilingly, dead Souls
perhaps" Yes, yes" answered the
lady. "Ah, indeed" said Tolstoy.
THAT book is by Gogol and not by
me.
Experience With q Policeman.
Once In Moscow Count Tolstoy saw
a persistent beggar asking aims, who
exclaimed, "a little penny, brother.
in the name Of Christi"
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
himself, that people are forbidden
to ask charity In Christs name In a
Christian land?"
Brother" he said to the police
man, "can 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
evidently troubled. He turned to his
ouestioner 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 beg
ging in the main streets Is forbid
den?"
The philosopher found no answer
ready.
family, witty and laughing heartily
at his own jokes, Tolstoy often de-
lighted his children with stories OF
his early adventures or with fables
ooronooad nn the spur of the mo-