A TOLSTOI ANECDOTE.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 114, 10 November 1900, Page 3 (Supplement)

A TOLSTOI ANECDOTE.

Count Tolstoi, the famous Russian novelist, is in hi? own country, esteemed by many of his admirers a saint and a deliverer. His power is great accordingly. The following story is told of his independence of thought., and action : — General M had been given TinI bounded power to act against the Nihilists. iHe discovered that one of the leading Nihikst chiefs was in the habit of visiting Tolstoi, .and he at once went to the novelist. Before he could intro : duce himself he was met by the remark : • — " You are General M »Do you come to see me officially or as a} private man ? If you come officially, here Are my keys. Search, open everything. You are free to do so." "I do not come officially," replied the General. "Very good," answered Tolstoi, and calling two stalwart servants' he said to them, " Throw this man out of the house !" The order was obeyed to the letter, and the enraged General dared not seek redress. A Bank Cashier's Extravagance. — "My dear sir," said one careful banker to the other, "If I were yiow I would watch that cashier of yours more closely." "Why, he does not play at the races, does he?" "No." "Nor ride in an automobile of his own?" "No !" "He was never seen at the back door of a stage?" ("No !" "For goodness sake, what does She do, thj&n, tell me?" "I hoar he uses coal in ids house. "— "Extoablatt," .Vienna.